I do believe that the states have the right to make the definition of marriage, and each state can define it as they so choose through their elected representatives.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Defining marriage is a power that should be left to the states. Moreover, no state should be forced to recognize a marriage that is not within its own laws, Constitution, and legal precedents.
There are more than 30 states, who either by statute or constitutional amendment, have defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.
So far, 44 States, or 88 percent of the States, have enacted laws providing that marriage shall consist of a union between a man and a woman. Only 75 percent of the States are required to approve a constitutional amendment.
Marriage has historically been in the domain of the States to regulate.
Marriage has been defined by every legislature that has ever sat in the United States from every State, now 50 States, the same way, but now we have unelected judges altering and changing that fundamental institution.
While 45 of the 50 States have either a State constitutional amendment or a statute that preserves the current definition of marriage, left-wing activist judges and officials at the local levels have struck down State laws protecting marriage.
Marriage should be viewed as an institution ordained by God and should be out of the control of the state.
Traditionally, marriage is one arena where states have all but plenary power; it took until 1967 for the Supreme Court to tell states they could not prohibit interracial marriage.
Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. I don't think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is.
I believe marriage is a human right, not a state right.