Is a marriage certificate worth the paper it's printed on?

Question

We live in a society where it's perfectly normal for people to cohabit after one night of sex as strangers or for someone to leave his or her spouse of many years just because he "wants some space" or found someone more attractive.

I have come to believe that a couple who lives together, sleeps together and shares what they have is married whether or not they have a piece of paper. I think that people who cohabit without a legal marriage because they think they can easily leave at any time are lying to themselves.

It is more than a tradition that the state and church give permission and blessings to our marriages. Under the concept of separation of church and state, the government has assumed that responsibility and is only guided by the cultural norms of the moment.

Answer 1

A marriage shows the highest level of commitment, it is an emotional bond between two people, and it symbolizes love. I do believe it is worth everything in the world between two people that are RIGHT for each other. I do agree that many people take marriage as a joke, and for that, I would say marriage means nothing. But between two people that want to grow old together, marriage is an incredible commitment and shows how much you truly feel for someone if you are willing to spend your life with them through everything.

Answer 2

It's worth is only validated by those who choose to build a solid, long lasting, foundation within the unity of marriage. I also believe that when a man and woman come together, they are ONE. Back in the old days, they didn't keep this stuff on paper. Yes the government also changed the 'day of rest' (church day) which was NOT originally SUNDAY btw.

People who cohabit without being legally married, and decide to leave-are still the same people whether they are 'married' or not-the feelings are still the same. It's never easy to 'leave' someone you've loved, and lived with, even if you've outgrown them or the love has faded-some areas are still going to be hard to let go of.

Above all you're supposed to 'forgive'. That is hard to do after years of resentment and anguish or fear have built up. There was only one reason for the dissolution of marriage according to the Bible, and that was the hardening of the heart. Then again-above even that-you are supposed to forgive.

I just wrote a blog entitled "Temptation Lingers". I am also newly married. At the very bottom of the post, you will read that I believe that if we remained virgins until we were married, never having experienced another, temptation (for a former lover), would not be so strong.

Answer 3

Wow, really heavy, but I respectfully disagree with you. Marriage has not lost the sanctity or status that was once attributed to it. The state has not taken over the "responsibility" once held by the church nor do cultural norms dictate today what the definition of marriage is. It remains what it has been from the beginnings of time and the Church and the State are, and have always been, only witnesses to the union of two people into oneness. & that piece of paper that you speak of is the testament to the validity of those affirmations. What has changed is the commitment (vows) to which a man and woman swear before man (the State) and God (the Church). They swear that they will love, honor, cherish and obey each other, but today, only until they are bored with each other. So, my friend, it's not that piece of paper that is a problem--it's the inability of the parties to that contract that are at fault. Like every other contract, it's only as good as the word of each of the parties that signed it.

Answer 4

Marriage is a contract between you two & God. Ya both have witnessed that you vow to spend the rest of your lives together. The mockery comes when deep inside of oneself you love another also & cannot stop thinking of them. Its hard because as humans we can love people in different ways.If it weren't 4 things like jealousy, sexual desire,attraction to others, marriage would b easy. Unfortunately we r human & humans go with desire . Some people make us love ourself more & make us feel better about ourselves, even though we r married to another. Why do we stray? Being vulnerable is a very human feeling. Respect is the only thing that will hold a marrige together With respect comes commitment. Thats a hard thing to do when we also love,really love another. At that point all you can do is stay away from the other person because you can love others in different ways.Love is a wonderful feeling but marriage 4 me is so very hard because it is scary knowing I could hurt someone eles because I really love people. Boundaries r the most important step in maintaining a decent marriage. That piece of paper helps us mentally keep the boundary we should never cross if we r to stay happy.When we no longer feel that r spouse makes us happy it is time 4 divorce. Happiness of the heart is written in the bible.Look at Philippians 4:11 I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,therewith to be content. .... This is not always easy to do because as humans we all have bad days & tend to take it out on the ones we love. Marriage is work . Im tired now Ive been married twice and its so hard . I wish I could find someone who truely respected me then the boundaries would fall into place.That piece of paper is important but the fact is that w/ out respect it means nothing. Respect 4 ourself & respect 4 the life of the one we vowed to b one with.Throughout the bible Gods laws of marriage r set. We , if we intend to keep our marriage meaningful,must obey Gods laws. This is the way to a real marriage. Paper or no paper , its a marriage of two hearts.God wants us to follow his book .He wants us to understand. He sets our boundaries 4 us & also sets the rules of marriage out 4 us . Its up to us to follow the rules of marriage or the way of divorce. There r explanations to this also in the bible.One should never take marriage lightly because it is a big step of life . A life where 2 people become 1 person guided by boundaries.Is is true you can be different people but the sharing of 1 life it is the secret to keeping it beautiful.Do you need the piece of paper? It does protect the 2 people financially in case 1 decides the act of marriage, didn't suit the other. The piece of paper is just the legal end of it all!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Well, the piece of paper is necessary in some regions that do not recognise common law marriage. I do think that for some people the ritual is important. Actually, I know that it is, but for others, like myself, who cohabit, the wedding and the piece of paper isn't important. We do have a life long commitment though and we are engaged because like I said, for some the ritual is important and those some just happen to be relatives.

Answer 6

You have a synical point of view but I'm in total agreement with you. This little piece of paper costs a mere $65 a your local court house and if the marriage doesn't work out this same $65 will end up costs you thousands to be out from under the marriage thru a dissolution.

Marriage in itself is an antiquated view point. I feel one should not have to live their life with out a partner, best friend, etc. and marriage should not have to be a prerequisite to accomplish this. Unfortunately I live a life of the un-divorced----Married yes, but residing as if divorced!. Seperate everything including bedrooms. It's to expensive to bother with divorce!

Answer 7

the paper just is a symbolization of the marrage and is under the law as well as under god. marriage certificate also pay a vidal role in record keeping. With out certificates our future children would never know that we were married and/or who is family and who is not. by signing that simingly pointless paper we are insureing that hey we are married and here is the proof. although without a pre-nump if a partner leaves they can leagley take half.

Answer 8

marriage is no longer a sacred vow. And by today,s standards the paper means nothing. Paper marriage is just a mockery.

Answer 9

So whats your question? No I don't think it's worth the paper it's printed on... People can get a divorce very fast and easy 1 day and be remarried the enxt..It's to easy and people get mad and run to divorce court!

Answer 10

What Are You Going Through?