Marriage is a legal issue in the state in which it is performed.
All religious ceremonies either say, or the certificate says, by the power vested in me by the state of Texas (or whatever) I pronounce you man and wife.
If Ron Paul thinks the Iranian regime will be thankful and cooperate w/ the rest of the world because the US picked-up the Iranian fisherman, he’s even more cracked than I thought.
Agreed. But should Texas, e.g., have to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in Massachusetts?
Unless the Federal government issues a standard definition of marriage (see mnehring's #793), they do -- under the "full faith & credit" clause.
Here in Washington State you can have anyone preform a ceremony or not even have a ceremony. They do not have to be a minister or registered with the state. In order to be legally married you go to the court clerk. Pay your fee to apply for the marriage license. You get two certificates. Someone fills them out. Could be you or a minister. Then signed by 2 witnesses. One you keep for yourself but the other has to be sent in to be filed with the county clerk. If THAT cerfificate IS NEVER SENT IN you are not legally married. Doesn’t matter if someone said words or not.