Historically people married without official recognition. If the two people said they were married society accepted them as married.
Common law marriage was the norm in most of the U.S. in our early history. In the 1870's this created a lot of concern and a movement to reform marriage began. The movement called for publicity, formal ceremonies, licensing, and registration. As the 20th century began, states regulated marriage in the United States. Fees, licenses, requirements, and witnesses came into being. This happened because the secular, private marriage between two people was messy when folks wanted to dissolve the relationship. The courts didn't have much to go on except people's word. This seems reasonable when divorce was limited or not permitted.
Today, with divorce for any reason recognized, legal and religious control and sanction serve no purpose. It is time to take a look at marriage and what it means. It is a moral issue not a legal issue. Governments should not be involved. Religious sanction is unnecessary.
Whose business is it if two people want to commit to each other, certainly not government.
Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179 cell
Gatlinburg, TN
Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."
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