Seriously, this is why strict church/state separation is important. A lot of people, even a lot of atheists, will say that it’s no big deal, just let the Xtians have their symbolisms. Maybe those people need to spend a few years living in the Bible Belt where religiosity is injected into every crevice of everyday life, including vital public services, news outlets and so-called non-sectarian NGO’s. For instance, not too long ago I attended a social evening sponsored by a non-profit & “secular” grief support group. The function opened with an evangelical prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, I kid you not.

Witnessing an affidavit, what issuing a marriage license amounts to, isn’t a religious experience in any way, shape, or form.

My understanding is that the actual marriage certificate issued to the partners is of only ceremonial value anyhow — what truly counts is the entry of the marriage into the central computerized marriage registry at the Office of Vital Statistics, which is where the “real” record is kept for state purposes, and which is where other states would send requests for marriage information if there was a question as to whether a couple was married or not. As long as the Office of Vital Statistics accepts the entry, it’s a “real” marriage under Kentucky law, paper certificate nonwithstanding.