We need a common sense approach to the gay marriage question.

I think Democrats should take the high road and say that marriage is a religious ceremony that can only be conducted by the church.

All other unions, such as those done by the justice-of-the-peace, ship captains, and common law should be referred to as civil unions.

The state should accept a religious marriage as a civil union as well.

For legal purposes, all rights and responsibilities currently conferred on married couples should be granted to couples that have been civilly united.

I can understand why gays and lesbians object to the "separate but equal" treatment of civil unions.

Right now, gays and lesbians can be married in a church, and not have the marriage recognized as legal by the state. Similarly, couples married by a justice of the peace are not recognized as being legally married by at least some churches. Let's let the churches and religious organizations have the exclusive right to marry individuals, gay or not.

It is the terminology, not the idea, that most Americans object to.