And so what is this then? This argument you have put forth divorcing long standing policy and moral principle from government?
Even if you have a point regarding the state sanctioning of marriage to be a mistake, this is not the time to put it forth. It is just another form of side stepping our opponents instead of defeating them.
Your argument is merely a temporary respite from their assault, because next on the agenda is to force public teachers to teach homosexuality and perhaps encourage it.
Appeasement or running away is the wrong response. Either will just encourage them, and we will have to fight more and bigger battles later as a result.
Your belief that state licensure for marriage creates some kind of wholesome social environment is spurious. Marriage was never a contract with the state until early in the 20th century. It has become a worthless and troublesome infringement on personal liberty. Now, with the requirement to acknowledgement the legitimacy of buggering as a state recognized life style, marriage has lost most of its legitimacy. The church must retake its prerogative and abandon the state with its grievous demands.
Call it what you will. Marriage is first and foremost a religious rite, not a government mandated contract.