Unable to to rely on Europe or immigration to bring about their usual cannibalistic ritual of self defeat, the Tories have apparently decided to base their next collapse on gay marriage instead.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21312111

The whole thing is a total and utter mess. I'm actually, if you hadn't noticed, a natural Tory with liberal tendencies, but this whole thing has been an arse.

Why does it have to include religious marriage? Why couldn't it just be, if you want a civil ceremony, you can have one, it's up to religions as to what they're happy to do. And over all of that, why was the civil marriage thing not included as part of the thing they did a couple of years ago. I just don't get any of it.

As an agnostic married to an atheist, we had a civil ceremony. As far as I'm concerned, we're married. Some religious groups would maybe say otherwise and to them I say, "[LIFTED] off". But this whole thing has confused me, because I was under the impression I was getting married in the eyes of the law if not any religious people. So what was the point of civil partnerships? It seems a question of semantics at best and a question of what the [LIFTED] was up with the previous bill and why bring religion into it at worst.

If they are going to blame their next election defeat because they supported or did not support gay marriage then they are deluded. They will get turfed out because of what they did to the economy. Gay marriage is irrelevant to all but a few. Why shouldn't gay men or women get married? And will people actually vote against the Tories because of this? They have messed up the economy to a far greater extent than any gay protest vote would account for.

I've always said that the term "marriage" should be consigned to religious churches and the like. The "joining" of two people would be termed "civil partnership" etc, including in churches. It could be done anywhere.

"Marriage" would be restricted to religious houses and carry no legal significance ie you could be "married" but the law would see two separate people. You need a culture change to shift this and it'd take two generations for it to be implemented successfully.

I'm kind of with CW. While 'being married' is a state, a 'marriage ceremony' to me always implied some form of religious ritual. I'm perfectly happy with people who have been through a civil wedding call themselves married but If you want a religious ceremony, you have to observe the tenants of that religion. And that may be a prejudice or rule you don't like, but them's the breaks. Surely someone who is atheist or agnostic having a religious marriage ceremony is a bit of a hypocrite?

You can't force your way into being a member of a community that doesn't want you. It may not be 'fair' but it's a fact and using the law to make them put up with you for a while isn't going to change it and makes you look as dogmatic as them. what they believe may well be wrong, but you're not going to change anyone's mind unless they want their minds to be changed.

The idea behind my proposal is that no religious groups could be upset as people aren't being "married". They're in civil unions. I think a lot of the resistance is to do with the notion of marriage and its religious implications.

I also find it entirely ridiculous that people want to be married in a church but don't believe or follow the religion. It's a bit like getting married in a mosque - you wouldn't do so unless you're muslim. But because churches are "picturesque", it makes them ideal venues.

Perhaps there's a market in building "marriage parlours" (or civil partnership parlours!) or something. Picturesque buildings where people can get married. Everything could be held there eg reception, suitable parking, overnight accommodation etc.

There is also a flaw in the law that will stop people from having a home wedding , in that you have to allow anyone else to have their wedding in your home.

In which case I suspect there's a few conservative Christian couples planning on demanding to get married in Peter Tatchell's living room...

Well if he were to get married at home.

Does the average person actually give a s**t anyway?

Er no.