Quote:
Honestly, though, I'm not really sure what the real point of the state recognizing marriage actually is . . . .


Legal recognition for purposes such as inheritance, social security, benefits, next-of-kin rights etc.?

The solution usually employed (in places such as the Netherlands) is a legal recognition of a relationship, without confusing it with the concept of "marriage".

But if you don't have something like that, you get situations like when somebody who has been living with his/her partner for 30 years is not allowed to be present at the hospital when the partner is dying, and has no rights to their joint home etc...