[ansel12]

I just cannot figure out what you are trying to say, do you want churches defining marriage or common accepted laws from the state?

[Smokin' Joe]

My point, concisely, is that those churches which were in common existence at the start of this country were, in fact the ones who set the standards for marriage. The state is influenced to change standards to whatsoever social convention or special interests will accept.

No scripturally based church will.

Let me add that I view Holy Matrimony as a sacrament, and that will never be the province of the state.

The caveat in letting churches decide is that we have such a plethora of oddball denominations and religions which are not part of the Western Cultural tradition now, that what we considered standard at the inception of this nation is no longer standard, and hangs on by a dwindling majority as fewer seem to embrace religious doctrine, thanks to the influence of the Socialists in the State.

If we let the State define marriage, then we run afoul of the popular whim and special interests which would as readily as possible use the fact that Congress is to make no law embracing a particular religion to pursue their own idea of what marriage should be among whom, and at whatever age.

Without the guidance of the Judeo-Christian ethos, there will be no prohibiting either the polygamy of Islam nor the homosexuals nor others from having their way.

At this point, both must be involved, at least to some degree, or there will be no immutable standard by which to draft regulations. That standard comes from religious doctrine, and ultimately, from scripture itself.