Since marriage occurs in a church and is a religious ceremony, why has the government butted in?

Question

Why does the government have mountains of marriage law books and bloated bureaucrats sitting around wasting tax payer money on governmental marriage administration? If two people want something beyond a spiritual union, why can't they just enter into a business partnership within the free market? Government please get out of my personal life?!

Answer 1

Govrenment didn't just butt in, they have been involved in it for centuries. There are two basic reasons why government is involved in marriage in most Western countries. The first is historical and the second is practical.

The historical reason dates back to the period of history prior to the Protestant Reformation. At that time, Roman Catholicism was the official religion of every part of Western Europe. Certain matters including marriage were assigned to the ecclesiastical system which had its own courts. The judgments of these courts were enforced by the secular rulers including execution for heresy. In countries like England, the Protestant Reformation resulted in these courts being eliminated and the matters previously regulated by them (including marriage) being taken over by civilian authorities. A similar thing happened in the Catholic countries during the 1800s.

The practical reason is that, traditionally, marriage has been a cornerstone of the family structure. Most children were born and raised within a family headed by a married couple. While the relationship between the couple might be none of the government's business as it relates to the two of them, assuring that the children are taken care of is very much the government's interest. A large portion of criminal conduct among teenagers (both currently and historically) occurs among those who are not under the care and control of concerned adults. While a permanent structure might not be needed to raise kids, one that is difficult to break for the eighteen year period while they are still minors is needed.

Furthermore, there aren't mountains of marriage law books -- the chapters on marriage and divorce are among the smallest in my state's code representing less than one percent of the cases. You don't have to be married to have a spiritual union (and some churches are now doing commitment services for those who can't legally be married). However, as noted above, raising children is more than just a business partnership and takes something a little more difficult to break than your typical business contract.

Answer 2

In spite of our government being a democratic republic, for quite a while our state and federal government have thought they had the right to tell us what a marriage and a family was, and usually based it on Christian religious tenets. I despise the government's intervention in marriage ceremonies, fees, taxes, etc. I think we should all have the right to civil unions, regardless of religious views or gender, and if a spiritual union is desired, it should totally be the concern of the couple, and only them.

Answer 3

thank you sir! as some distance via fact the State is worried, a marriage (no longer a civil union) is basically a settlement between 2 consenting adults. You pay your funds on the counter, sign a style, recite a mundane vow for the government bureaucrat on duty and *bang* you're married. No faith in touch. and since the State has no status to discriminate on sexual orientation grounds who could properly be occasion to a settlement - assuming of direction the two are of felony age and voters - then it would look they have little good to disallow gay marriages.

Answer 4

I think if you really think about this, you already know the answer. Money. It's all about the money. When two people get married, they get less of a tax deduction. AKA the government gets more money. And of course, they want to track who's with who so we don't polute the lines (because marrying your first or second cousin IS illegal). AND they want to make sure that if you have children they can track you down if you bail out. It's just a bunch of hand-holding that the government feels is necessary. And with all the idiots out there, I don't blame them for feeling that way.

Answer 5

Thank you for your reason. I starred this question!

Skip, I hate to burst your bubble but there are only two states in the U.S. that DON'T have common law marriage laws on their books. Each state is different, but nearly all have them.

In Texas, all you have to do is sign a document as Mr. & Mrs. even with a false name and you're technically married. A guest register at the "no tell motel" is close enough. Some have been charged with bigamy for checking into a motel with a mistress instead a wife!

Answer 6

For the protection of women and children.

Personally I like the idea of common law marriage, and wish they would bring it back. Something like; you're married if you live together longer than a certain amount of time, such as three years or five years, or you're married if you have a child with your partner. LOL think what that would do to the US birth rate.

Answer 7

The newest trend is for people to have what is called a civil marriage. It is devoid of any type of religious reference and they are performed outside of the church. I also perform same sex unions which drives the religious right crazy.

Answer 8

Bzzzt Wrong

On the Church part

As for Gov. They will always be involved in anything they can charge you money for.

Imagine paying lazy bureaucrats so you can get a marriage License

Answer 9

good point
it's not called "Holy" Matrimony for nothing.

Answer 10

...."money'....."money"...."money"....all the "money"...ABBA.