As a Unitarian Universalist I believe that marriage is an inherent right, no matter what the sexual orientation, or gender(s) of the people in couple are. As the law stands now, the ban on gay marriage, violates my right to practice my religion.
Some of the ministers of my faith refuse to proform any marriage until they can marry everyone in their congregation equally, some have even been arrested for preforming gay marriage ceremonies, as they are obligated to do according to our religion. If the state chooses not to recognize the marriage that's diffrent than arresting ministers for preforming the ceremony, as they have done.
If the Republicans want to make this about Religious freedom, let's go there. This is America; your intolerance doesn't give your religion any more standing under the law than mine has.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I hear it said regularly that marriage shouldn't be a religious issue, but it is, so let's respect everyones religion when it comes to marriage. No religious institution should be force to preform gay marrage, but no religious institution should be prohibited from it either.
Religions don't have the right to violate an individuals rights by forcing them to marry a person they don't love, nor does any religion have the right to force someone into a marriage they aren't capable or willing to concent to, but that is altogether diffrent than preforming a marriage between two consenting adults, no matter what their gender is.
Note: I'm appalled and offend by the people comparing polygamy to gay marriage in my diary, they two completely diffrent things; with two diffrent rationals for prohibiting them. Polygamy has been historically associated with the abuse of women, and horribly misogynistic societies; it also leads to imbalance between straight women and men, as well as complicating divorce and inheritance law. Not to mention it's a right wing talking point.