Monogamy, NOT monotheism...

marriage is an easy one, its simply a sign of commitment between two people. in todays society it should have absolutly zero religious meaning. after all it is a legal issue now. people who try to defend marriage as a spiritual bond between a "man and a women" because thats how "god" intended are obviously missing the point. considering you need to apply for a marriage license from the state in order to wed, there should be no room in the definition for any religious overtones. this maybe a little off topic in some fashion, but, anyone who doesnt belive in the rights of gays and lesbians to marry is completely un-american. seperation of church and state! as soon as states required people to obtain a marriage certificate in order to marry, the word marriage and all things assosiated with it lost the right to claim any religious protection or definition. all it is now is a legal word and only really has to do with the partners rights. and to deny an american of that due to their sexual orientaion is simply wrong. descrimination at its worst. personally i dont want anyone telling me who i can and cant marry...i dont think anyone else would either...

but back to the topic of what it means to an athiest???...i dont really know...everybody views things differently. personally i would like to marry one day. hopefully but an Elvis impersonator in vegas..lol...be to do so, mearly as a sign of commitment to my partner. and of course for the tax breaks and such...

entirely agree. Why do we need a church, a priest to tell us we're married? It's nonsense... if you both feel together, feel love and respect and all... then stay! It's all that really matters. Besides, there many many weddings that fall behind every year and voilá!! they had the priest's blessing... it guarantees nothing!!