It is you and I, and all in this thread, and - unfortunately - that gay couple in Maine. It is all of us. And we all have equal voice - that is how the system was set up.
Why can't we sanction marriage?
We can, as long as that sanctioning is kept in line with the Biblical foundation on which it is based. Once Government moves away from that, then it is no longer marriage. It is a Government-recognized union, it is a party, it may be some pronouncement - but it is NOT marriage. Even if Government tries to call it the same.
Do you understand Natural Law?
Yes I do.
Natural Law has always been applicable in the state-sanctioning of marriage. Why isn't Natural Law applicable here?
Does Natural Law allow gay marriage? No? Then why can Government call and sanction gay marriage, "marriage"? What Government is sanctioning is NOT marriage in any way as defined in Natural Law. Thus I refuse to cede the word marriage, and all it encompasses, to Government.
Do you realize the Founding Fathers ALL believed in the application of Natural Law?
Yes, as do I. And I do not believe they would condone or accept gay marriage at all. They would call it abhorrent and evil, and NOT marriage as God intended. It would not be marriage.
Have you been zotted/banned before and now rejoined FR under a new name?
Nope. Been lurking for about 6 months before I joined.
Will you answer all these questions honestly?
Already did. Now will you answer some of mine?
1. Why should Government get to dictate what is marriage?
2. Why should a marriage only be proper if Government accepts it?
3. Should the church accept a marriage of a gay couple, just because the Government says that marriage consists of gay couples?
4. Why should we leave an institution to the hands of Government if Government will misuse and pervert that institution?
Government doesn't dictate what is marriage. The dictionary does.
2. Why should a marriage only be proper if Government accepts it?
Because "proper" means; "fulfilling all expectations and criteria."
3. Should the church accept a marriage of a gay couple, just because the Government says that marriage consists of gay couples?
No. Red herring. And no theologically based churches do.
4. Why should we leave an institution to the hands of Government if Government will misuse and pervert that institution?
Strawman. No one is "leaving" the institution of marriage to the hands of government. Marriage has always been, and will always be, a sacrament celebrating the union of a man and a woman. For legal purposes, all governments -- even secular ones -- recognize it as so.
Now one more question to you: What does a gay couple in Maine have to do with marriage?