[preciousjeni]

May I point out that all the legal benefits we receive from marriage have been imposed (and I use this negative term because the imposition has made leaving the relationship so difficult) on us by a country that, at the time, was heavily influenced by Christianity and it was really for little other reason.

Regardless of your personal beliefs, the only responsibility that the government has to us, constitutionally, is national security. It has far overstepped its original purpose in many ways, but I mention this to illustrate one of the major reasons people want to get married and by people, I include homosexuals. It makes perfect sense to me and, on a side note, I vehemently oppose any amendments to national and state constitution banning gay marriage (but please, let's not get on that topic in this thread!!!!)

In response to the original question, my love for God and desire to follow His law leads me to view marriage as righteous in His eyes. So, I would get married spiritually for God. In fact, the Bible (New Testament, I'm Christian) tells me that the commitment of marriage needs only to be witnessed by God for it to be morally binding. That's what makes it meaningful to me.

The legal side was forced on me by a country that falsely claims religious tolerance.