I’m not at odds with the definition you provided.
>> a civil contract ... not to mention those instances where children are the product of that marriage.
Arguably, the govt facilitates divorce. And I’m not sure how state sanctioning homosexual marriage benefits children.
I don’t have a problem civil contracts but I wouldn’t consider that a function of the state even though the state provides a judicial process for litigation.
Look at it another way. Should the state regulate taxes according to marital status? Should it regulate how insurance companies underwrite individuals, couples, families, and groups? Should the state prosecute an individual, company, or religious entity whom refuses to service homosexual marriage?
No. Consumption taxes are a far better alternative than an income tax.
Should it regulate how insurance companies underwrite individuals, couples, families, and groups?
Corporations are creatures of the state, but I'm not conversant enough with insurance law to even begin to comment on what the proper level of state regulation on the insurance business ought to be.
Should the state prosecute an individual, company, or religious entity whom refuses to service homosexual marriage?
That's the easiest one. Absolutely not.
Cordially