CS Lewis wrote that, "There ought to be two distinct kinds of marriage: one governed by the State with rules enforced on all citizens, the other governed by the church with rules enforced by her on her own members. The distinction ought to be quite sharp, so that a man knows which couples are married in a Christian sense and which are not".

It seems he was right that there needs to be a very puritanical version of religious marriage, and a more relaxed liberalised version of State marriage.

progressive pat wrote
"It seems he was right that there needs to be a very puritanical version of religious marriage"

what? like sharia law?

Nah mikk, more like Mark 10:6-9 "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate".

The secular version of marriage could be, two people in love bound for as long as the self feels it helpful.

Progressive Pat,

I think the point that would need clarification, is that it was the "state recognised" marriage that the public was bound to recognise. Insofar as the "religiously married" wanted to pat themselves on the back for having "better" or "real" marriage, I think it would do them good to understand that the state didn't care about their distinction. The religiously married can be "just as" married as anybody else for legal or state or bureaucratic purposes.

Rusty.

This article is an insightful look beyond the
Emotional on gay marriage rights.

It is said that marriage is for begetting children
Gay unions too, beget children,they adopt them

Because this is already happening with apparently
No sanction in gay unions ,it seems to me the horse has
Already bolted on the begetting of children

It then just remains for them to be recognised as families
Given the variety of family groups in Australia and Western countries aLready, single parent families, blended families after divorce. I can see no difference in two same sex parents. Although why they want to be married when such a huge percentage
Of people are dying to get divorced and out of this dubious arrangement that is marriage is beyond me.

many 'gays'have no intention of ever getting married. Like in the US they are just waiting to dance around in the streets, gyrating and pushing perversion in the face of those that oppose it. Many will have their adopted children with them modelling total indecency. NO doubt a mock crucifixion or two will accompany celebrations like in US and other countries. ABS/SBS will be the first to join the 'celebrations'. Then back to reality more disease, more suicide more perversion, more pornography, more partners and more child abuse. God is not mocked.