in the United States, first in its colonies and later in its states, the definition of marriage for almost four centuries has been one man with one woman.
The only exception to this was among the early Mormons, who accepted polygamy.
However, after Congress passed the Mann Act which criminalized polygamy and was upheld in the Supreme Court, the Mormon Church changed its definition of marriage to the classical one.
-billybobby-
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Bob-billy , you really should do a little research before pontificating on history..
The Mormon Church "changed their definition"/mind about separation of church & state back in the 1890's, in order to get Utah admitted as a State in the Union.
Congress rightly refused them statehood until they could come up with an acceptable state constitution that supported a republican form of government, -- rather than a theocracy.
I suggest you read the following.
http://historytogo.utah.gov/12896matter.html ======
The anti-polygamy crusade was now entering its final, feverish venal stages. In February 1887, the Edmunds-Tucker Act was passed; it became law March 3.
The law:
Disincorporated the LDS Church and by reviving a property limit of $50,000 for a religious organization initiated forfeiture proceedings against the church, resulting in confiscation of most of its property.
Abolished female suffrage.
Dismantled the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company (the system by which the church was able to bring foreign converts to Utah).
Abolished the Nauvoo Legion.
Required a test oath for all residents desiring to vote, hold elective office or serve on juries.
Property amounting in value to more than $800,000 was in the hands of a receiver pending an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The LDS Church was all but bankrupt as it entered the decade of the 1890s. Drastic action was necessary to save what was left. Woodruff, since his succession to the church presidency, was also on the run and in hiding to avoid prosecution for polygamy. But on September 25, 1890, he took the only option open, and published in the Deseret News his manifesto—or "Official Declaration" against new polygamy. Woodruff's statement, in essence, explained that: "Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriage, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the church over which I preside to have them do likewise...and I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land."
The manifesto was ratified by the church membership on October 6, 1890, and Mormons officially abandoned plural marriage as an essential church doctrine. It did not go down easily with many of the faithful, who asked with some bitterness, why? Why was it not done sooner and the suffering of past years avoided? The answer came from George Q. Cannon on October 18, 1890: "We have waited for the Lord to move in the matter." The way was now open to deal for statehood and self-rule.
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Gee maybe the Mormons didnt realize that this was discrimination or that their rights were taken away.
Maybe they will demand their rights to polygamy or polyandry.
And the beat goes on. Where will it end? No one seems to know.
I really thought Bush was on to something with the amendment BUT.......maybe not, he sure isnt getting any support from the GOP on this.....disappointing!!