Question about the government and marriage?

Question

Many " liberals " seem to want government sponsored " gay marriage " , while many social conservatives seem to want the government to enforce restricting marriage to between a man and a woman . Why is the government involved in the regulation of marriage ? The first marriage licenses were instituted right after the war between the states to restrict " intermarriage " . The original purpose was to keep black men from marrying white women . Now governments profit from marriage by charging a fee for a marriage license . Why don't we eliminate government issued marriage licenses all together instead of restricting them to a man and a woman or issuing them to same-sex couples ? Let people form unions however they like without interference from the government . That way social conservatives can have their marriage between a man and a woman without a government endorsing gay marriage , while homosexuals can have their unions and polygamists can have their marriage between a man and a woman and a woman .

Question - Why don't we get the government out of the marriage business ?

Answer 1

I like your outlook on marriage. It's refreshing to read something like this for a change. I'm so tired of reading so many questions about why should we let gay people get married that I love seeing someone who has a real feeling about what the idea of marriage is all about. It's about people getting together and keeping the government out of it. I'm not sure I agree about pologmy, but then that's because I don't believe in it, but I'm sure there are people who do, and as you say, why is it up to the government to rule what is right and what is wrong. The Mormons believed in it as part of their religion for many years and only abolished it because the government said it was not allowed, as they say same sex marriages are not allowed. I had forgotten that it had been illegal to marry out of your race, as that one has been off the books for so long.
I agree with you 100%, get the government out of the marriage business, let us make up our own minds as to who we want to marry and stop charging us so much money to get married. I was shocked when my husband and I went to City Hall to get married, I couldn't believe all the money we had to pay all over the place for all the different things. I felt we were getting ripped off. Well, I do have to say it was worth it as we are happily married, but, I never expected all the fees.
Here's to freedom to all people to marry who they choose.

Answer 2

Hi Fate,

There's a lot to what you say. But to give you the short and dirty answer, the reason government cares is because there's so much law that pertains to marriages nowadays that it becomes a matter of important public policy.

For example, we have the tax codes that make distinctions based on marital status, social security benefits, pension benefits, and on and on. All of these things didn't exist 150 years ago, which is why the government could afford not to be involved. But with today's increasingly complicated world, there are real financial and legal ramifications that are driving the debate.

Hope this helps. Cheers, mate.

Answer 3

I agree with you. There is no reason for the government of our supposedly free country to decide what sorts of contracts consenting adults may sign and which they may not. If religious authorities disapprove, fine, don't perform the ceremony.

I think the way to solve it is to have "marriage" become a religious label, and have another name for the same relationship as recognized for legal purposes by the state. That would allow weddings to be performed by whichever denominations choose to recognize them, and other denominations needn't be bothered. The official papers from city hall would merely represent a legally enforceable contract, as per the wishes of those who voluntarily entered into it.

Answer 4

the government is there to create the best laws and also god creted adam and eve not adam and chris or eve and cynthia and they are trying to do the best under gods laws