08:30 AM PST on Thursday, March 11, 2004

Associated Press

BEND, Ore. -- The Libertarian Party of Oregon jumped into the debate about same-sex weddings, saying the state should get out of the marriage business.

Derek Wright, center, and James McCammon, right, both of McMinnville, wait to be married by the Rev. Shawn Berthel, second from left, outside the Multnomah County Clerks office. (AP Photo)

The party, which supports limited government, approved a resolution Wednesday that says the institution of marriage is too important to be left to the state and should be a church matter.

Under the Libertarian approach, the government would stop issuing marriage licenses, replacing them with civil unions for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.

Couples could then go to their churches to have their unions sanctified as marriages. Churches would determine which couples are allowed to marry.

"Our approach lets churches control their marriage sacraments while ensuring that government doesn't sanction gay marriages," state party Chairman Adam Mayer said in a statement.

"On the other hand, our approach puts all couples on an equal footing before the law and allows gay couples to be married by more liberal churches and other organizations."

Delegates from across Oregon passed the resolution 31-2.