I think it is very easy to separate religious beliefs from political beliefs on the issue of gay marriage because a religious marriage and civil (state-created) marriage are two separate institutuions. If a couple is not married in the Church, but obtained a civil marriage license, they are not deemedmarried in the eyes of the Church regardless of gender.

There is nothing sacred about state sponsored marriage. It merely confers a legal status on a couple, and provides rights, privileges, responsibilities and benefits under the law.

A marriage within the confines of the couple's religion is a sacred bond, and if the religion defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman (or several women), that is fine.