The Sanctity of Biogtry

I am so utterly tired of hearing about the "sanctity" of marriage. What is exactly is that supposed to mean, anyhow? "Sanctity" means, basically, something that is sacred. Sacred means, according to Dictionary.com:

1. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated.
2. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy.
3. pertaining to or connected with religion (opposed to secular or profane): sacred music; sacred books.
4. reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object: a morning hour sacred to study.
5. regarded with reverence: the sacred memory of a dead hero.
6. secured against violation, infringement, etc., as by reverence or sense of right: sacred oaths; sacred rights.
7. properly immune from violence, interference, etc., as a person or office.

There's a huge assumption here, with all this "sanctity" talk. What exactly, about the 50% of hetero-marriages that will actually last is about religion? I mean, I get that people who believe in a deity think that said deity somehow cares or is involved in their lives might think they are "led" to certain choices in their lives. But what about marriage is supposed to be sacred? Is it the ability to jointly file taxes? Is it the ability to sign up for your spouse's healthcare plan? Becoming beneficiary of your spouse's IRA?

I have been married for coming up on six years. I have a kid. I am an atheist. I have such a hard time figuring this one out- why would someone else's marriage threaten your own? I really don't understand it. It has always seemed to me just an excuse for spreading hatred and division. I don't campaign against Christians getting married even if I think they are deluded. It seems ... I don't know...petty and nonsensical and full of pathetic, wrong-headed self righteousness.

I got married in a French restaurant, by our communal best friend. We promised in our super-short ceremony, only to be good. We figured that covered everything. There were no promises to a church or a god or any recitation of pre-determined cookie-cutter vows. Just a promise to one another, to be good.

So far, so good.

In any case, for all those reading out there in internet-land? If you and your partner (regardless of the gender identity of parties involved) got married in California this week- I wish you much happiness. Marriage is complicated and strange and wonderful, and I wish you years and years of happiness, with hard times few and far between.

There should be less sadness in the world- go and share your happiness this week.