Is a civil union the same thing used by non-religious people to marry (is that the right term?)?

And are civil unions for homosexuals allowed in most states? The issue in that is that they want the same abilities on owning things and taxes and such, right?

Is a civil union the same thing used by non-religious people to marry (is that the right term?)?

No. A marriage does not need to be performed by a religious person. Many couples are married by judges or justices of the peace. One of the requirements for a marriage to be legal is that the person performing the ceremony be authorized by the state to perform marriages; it is not necessary for that person to be recognized by any religious organization.


And are civil unions for homosexuals allowed in most states?

I don't think so, in the sense that you mean.


The issue in that is that they want the same abilities on owning things and taxes and such, right?

That is only part of the issue. Other parts are benefits of health insurance by employers, tax issues (which you mention), and the right to simply be married to someone that they love. With regard to ownimg things, unrelated people can both own an object (house, car, business, etc.). All that is necessary is a legal contract.

I think I might be confused. Or you might've misunderstood my first question. A civil union is just a marraige by the government, right? Is the term used for marriage of non-religious people, or just for homosexual marraiges? You answered my question in parenthesis though.

Hmm, so with the issue of banning gay marriage, that goes for non-religious gay marraiges, too? Do religious people against gay marraige believe all marriage is holy then, not just marriage in a church? If not, then what kind of reasoning is given for not wanting non-religious gay marraige?

I don't think 'reasoning' comes into objections to gay marriage.

quote:

Originally posted by jusork:
A civil union is just a marraige by the government, right?

As DG said, no. Marriage by the government is marriage. My sisters, for example, were both married by a justice of the peace (our uncle). My boss was married by a judge. All of them are married, not civily united (or whatever the proper term is).

Civil unions may be entered into by either heterosexual couples or homosexual couples. They have many, but not all, of the same benefits and legal standings as marriage. Vermont's version, for example, is identical to marriage, as far as the state of Vermont is concerned. Federal law, however, does not give them the same legal standing (as far as I'm aware, federal law doesn't give any particular legal standing to civil unions). Likewise, other states may not give any standing to a civil union.



As for reasoning - It will destroy the institution of marriage. How exactly it will do that is one of the great mysteries

Oooh, ok. Now I've got it. I think that answered everything.

So what is a civil union for? It sounds like it's just a different way to get married.

Thanks, guys.