I thought state and religion were seperate. Just as long as your married in the eyes of your higher power why must the state know?
2007-03-11 21:48:20 · 9 answers · asked by cookie monster 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Marriage is registered with the state in order to have a record of the status of its citizens. The church only celebrate the marriage but the registration of the marriage is the civil aspect. There is actually a separation of state and church on this matter.
2007-03-11 21:52:00 · answer #1 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
marriage is no longer solely a religious thing... that's why gay marriage is a political issue. You don't have to marry in a religious sense, but if you want the benefits of marriage from the state, you must be married in the legal sense. You register your marriage so that you get the tax benefits and that sort of thing. I suppose if you don't want those benefits, you could get a private minister to perform a private ceremony and you don't have to tell anyone. Enough people live together without marriage that the state wouldn't figure out that you had had a ceremony. But unless you lived together long enough to equate to a common law marriage, you wouldn't get the benefits of taxes and property issues that other married couples do. It's not about the state knowing, but about you benefiting by telling the state that you're married.
2007-03-12 04:57:42 · answer #2 · answered by kmnmiamisax 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The state and religion are separate.
Getting married in a religious ceremony is your choice. Registering your marriage with the state is not your choice - you have to do that.
The state has an interest in regulating marriage. It is essentially a legal "contract" that comes with certain rights and responsibilities that can be enforced in court (should it come to that, usually upon divorce). Religion has nothing to do with it.
2007-03-12 13:35:50 · answer #3 · answered by EthanHunt 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's a problem with terminology.
You can get "married" in the church only, but it carries no legal benefits.
You can get "married" under state rules, by filling out the proper paperwork. Registering with the state confers legal benefits. The church never needs to get involved, or even be told.
The two types of "marriage" are unrelated. One is a religious status, one is a legal status. But both use the same word. That's the problem.
2007-03-12 04:55:54 · answer #4 · answered by coragryph 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It shouldn't be.
Marriage, being recognized by the states, giving the couple special privileges and rights, is unconstitutional.
I don't mean to be vague but it is that simple...
2007-03-14 21:10:35 · answer #5 · answered by BeachBum 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good point. But the answer depends on what you want out of the union. If you want the legal benefits, then you marry legally.
2007-03-12 04:51:18 · answer #6 · answered by Over The Rainbow 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
So people can't go round getting married as many times as they want ....... while they are still married to the last spouse.
I take your point though.
2007-03-12 04:56:24 · answer #7 · answered by lou b 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
laws say so...too simple for me....good luck in your next question
2007-03-12 04:56:00 · answer #8 · answered by Michael K 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.wealth4freedom.com/law/license.htm
http://www.wealth4freedom.com/truth/links2educate.htm
Good luck and God bless
2007-03-12 04:57:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋