Yeah...One is a religious ceremony, one isn't lol.
Dude, there is a BIG HUGE difference between marriage and civil union. Many people think civil union is like marriage just without the title...
WRONG. You were poorly misinformed.
Social Security and Veteran Death Benefits:Marriage: Married people receive Social Security and veteran benefit payments upon the death of a spouse.
Civil Unions: NONE
Immigration Benefits:Marriage: US citizens and legal permanent residents can sponsor their spouse and other family members for immigration.
Civil Unions: NONE
Portability of rights:Marriage: Automatically recognized in all 50 states.
Civion Unions: Rognition not guaranteed outside the state that grants it.
Medical decisions/ Emergencies:Marriage: A spouse or family member may make decisions for an incompetent or disabled person unless contrary written instructions exist, and can generally visit their partner in the hospital.
Civil Union: Partner's right to visitation and medical decision-making may not be recognized out of state.
Do they sound so equal now? And marriage is NOT a religious institution, because otherwise atheists would not get married. Marriage is for the soul purpose of joining two peoples together so they can get financial aid and benefits from the government... civil unions are crap. It's ok for some dumb brod like Britney Spears to get married for less then a period of 24 hours yet a devoted and loving same sex couple can't get married because of some 2,000 year old book that not EVERYONE believes in yet we make laws concerning it. Banning gay marriage is not about religion, politics, or money... it's about
HATE. Nothing more nothing less. People are just so full of hate and contempt they want to oppress a group of people based on a system of "morals"
I really hope we get seperation of church and state soon. I really do. I am sick of these oppressive religious laws.