[theBuckwheat]

It is for this reason that it is time to return marriage to the private sphere and remove government from being involved in it.

[fwdude]

The government MUST officiate in instances where marriages fail or are contested by outside parties for various reasons - they simply must - and when they get involved at this level, there must be an understanding what marriage is: aka, a DEFINITION.

Government must recognize marriage for these various reasons, and therefore, must have a working definition of the institution. This is fundamental and cannot be avoided. Otherwise, it would be like saying the governmnent cannot be involved in the concept of "ownership" and is, thus, unable to enforce against thefts, burglaries or robberys.