The problem with looking at marriage as strictly a religious covenant is that so much of society’s foundation is based on marriage and a traditional family structure. What about the children? And property and inheritance? I tend to hold libertarain views on most things, but I don’t think society can toss marriage and the family structure out the window without doing real harm to children and civilization itself.
A civil contract that can be broken without penalty has not , does not , and will not keep people together against their will . I would be surprised if religious weddings bonds were any tighter . Property can pass by joint tenancy or other title operations , testamentary will , trust device ,or intestate succession law . If society is depending on the government to force people to stay together or make it painful to separate , it is already over .