Weddings are complex, emotional events. I should know. I have performed hundreds of them. I am not surprised at the strong emotions and passionate opinions being expressed during the current marriage debate. It comes with the territory.

I strongly support the traditional heterosexual definition of marriage. It is the kind of marriage I have. It is the kind of marriage I perform. My concern is that during the current marriage debate people are playing politics—inside and outside the caucuses and the churches. When I look down the road two years from now, I see nothing but problems with the positions on marriage being articulated by Canada’s political parties.

The Liberal Party has introduced a bill that is inadequate, at best, in ensuring the protection of religious freedom. I believe they have set the stage for endless court battles. If the Liberals win, where will marriage be two years from now? In the courts!

At the same time, the Conservative Party is ignoring the clear statements of the Supreme Court of Canada and the rulings of seven provincial courts. Even if the Conservatives are able to defeat the same-sex marriage bill, it will still be legal in seven provinces and one territory. If the Conservatives win, where will marriage be two years from now? In the courts!

And where will the clergy and religious institutions of our country be two years from now? In the courts! We will be defending our sacred beliefs and practices while using up precious donation dollars.

This is not where I want to be. I want to be leading couples in vows of fidelity to God and each other in keeping with the tenets of my faith.

The only solution I see to the current quagmire is to heed the words of Jesus: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Given that the government and the courts are intent on granting same-sex couples the right to marry, I believe the best solution is to separate the civil and religious dimensions of marriage permanently.

All relationships should be registered with the government as civil unions for the purpose of defining legal, financial, and governmental rights and obligations. Everyone would be required to register their relationship with the government—heterosexual, homosexual and otherwise–and it would have sole jurisdiction in regulating these relationships. There would be no ceremony, just a simple registration process.

Then religious institutions (and other organizations) would be free to perform marriages in keeping with their beliefs, traditions and sacred writings.

Is this possible? Many countries in the world have chosen this approach. It is not new. It has been working in Europe for years.

Is it acceptable? Ian Benson, one of the lawyers representing the Interfaith Coalition for Marriage before the Ontario and B.C. courts, argues that it is. The ever-popular evangelical Tony Campolo has made the same argument.

Could we do this in Canada? Most legal experts agree that this would require a constitutional amendment. I don’t believe that our governments have the political will to embrace this process. However, it could be accomplished by the provinces.

In Alberta—notwithstanding our current federal government’s position—we have the legal framework already in place. After Parliament passes the same-sex marriage legislation, the province of Alberta should withdraw from the marriage business. Stop issuing marriage licenses. Stop authorizing clergy to perform marriages.

All official relationships in Alberta would be registered under the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act. Clergy would be free to solemnize marriages in keeping with their beliefs and without government interference. The de facto result would be the separation of civil and religious marriage–true separation of church and state.

Lest you think this is a radical proposition that would not be accepted by the clergy, you should talk to yours. In my conversations with front-line clergy, I have found willing support for this solution. They may not be saying it publicly, but they are privately.

One of Canada’s top religious leaders recently told me that he is finding little desire among Canada’s clergy to fight for the right to solemnize civil marriages. Clergy do not want to be agents of the state. They want to be servants of God.

I have been asking myself a couple of questions during this debate. “Would I go to jail to defend my right to perform a marriage ceremony in keeping with the doctrines of my Christian faith?” Absolutely!

“Would I go to jail to defend the government’s right to issue a piece of paper that seems to mean little to many of the couples that sign it?” Not on your life!

The solution is simple. Do we have the courage to embrace it?

Jim Wallace is the senior pastor at South Calgary Community Church.