My computer has been down for several days, so I have only just been able to read all the posts here. At the same time I have been having a think myself, then I realised that the equal rights issue is much larger, it also involves couples who choose not to marry or are unable to do so
Married people have more rights (over here in the UK) than cohabiting couples. I have no problem with anyone having their own religion, at the same time I think it unfair that a certificate of marriage is used to segregate people on any legal basis. Some of the earlier postings led me to www.crusaid.org.uk
a quote from that website
The fact is if you're gay or lesbian and die without making a will, the law won't protect your partner's rights as it would a straight couple's. And if you have no living blood relatives, the government can claim all your assets – house, life assurance, pension, savings, personal effects, everything – even if you partner is alive. Makes you think, doesn't it?

So I still want to know if you think that the state and religion should be completely seperate. If a couple of people have lived together and cared for each other for many years, regardless of wether they were gay or straight, should they have lesser legal rights if they are not married???

Roger