Now that NJ has order that same sex couples have the same rights as opposite sex couples the argument has shifted from substantive to symbolic issues.

Gays argued that they were denied all sorts of legal rights and benefits. The NJ court has now agreed with them. But they are still not satisfied, they feel the need to have the word "marriage" attached to their legal relationship.

The opponents say that marriage should be between a man and a woman (even Dem governor Corzine says this), why? Because they believe that marriage has a religious basis. One NJ representative said so yesterday explicitly.

I agree. What happens if an opposite sex couple wants a "civil union" in NJ? Will this be prohibited? On what rational basis?

The symbolic use of the word marriage has taken on a life of its own. The solution is simple, the state should get out of the marriage business completely. Every couple who wishes the special benefits conferred by the state gets issued a civil union contract. The rules for breaking the contract are the same as the current divorce laws.

Those people who feel the need to be "married" can go to their local religious officiating body and have what ever ceremonies or procedures performed that the group requires. If marriage is a "sacrament", then the state has no business being involved in the first place. This is supposed to be a secular society.

End of problem.