How government involvement in Holy Matrimony, is not a violation of "separation of church and state" eludes me.
Your view of marriage is far too narrow.
Yes, marriage is of a unique, sublime, ineffable,, SPIRITUAL nature. It is a God-breathed mystery. It is among His ultimate greatest gifts to mankind, because it pictures the relationship between Christ and His churxh.
But, it is also the nexus of His eternal plan and all true, lasting, earthly riches. It is the foundational building block of all decent civic, governmental institutions. It is the basis of all true economics. It breeds peace and prosperity. It is the great stabilizer of civilizations. It is the well-spring and nursery of posterity.
It must be protected as a CIVIC institution, or America will fail and fall.
I don't think so. Especially when we have a filthy corrupt government "protecting" it, as we have now.
Legal "marriage" largely exists in order to facilitate legal divorce. I think the Alabama Senate has it about right. Hopefully more states will follow.
What year was the Book of Proverbs written?
"Why they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." -Proverbs 2:17