Kalley Yanta of the Minnesota Marriage Minute explains why you cannot separate the civil definition of marriage from the definition of marriage ascribed in our traditions, including religious traditions.

"It is impossible to have two societal definitions of marriage. One that is recognized by Churches and one that is recognized by government. As a recent article in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy made clear, what is at stake is two competing definitions of marriage. Once a court or legislature decides to redefine marriage to make it genderless, that will be the only type of marriage, same-sex or otherwise will be able to enter. Churches have not only the right but the duty to speak out on issues in the public square especially those that affect the common good."