There is also a large difference between the government as a party to a marriage contract as in the case of bonds, banns, etc. and the government as the sole legitimate recorder of marriages as we have now. Yeah, I know, churches still perform and record marriages, but they have no legal force other than as back-up evidence to the government records.
This will at least be the case until some judge declares a Muslim marriage to four wives to be a civil right under Sharia law. And it is only a matter of time before it is coming once fudgepacker marriage is declared co-equal.
What legal basis is there to stop now?
There has never been a time when marriage was not legal or illegal, even when Islam or the Pope is the law on marriage.
I don’t know that there has always been a justice of the peace type option for the non-religious to meet a cultures legal marriage requirements, and don’t recall saying that, unless you mean only in America.
You continue with your push for Mosques and Mormons, and cults, and gay churches to be able to tell our nation what it’s marriage laws are.
You can have your own version of marriage, and keep it within your own religion, but you can’t force the U.S. Army, and federal and state government recognize your 20 wives.
By the way, you could take a minute to acknowledge that you were wrong about marriage licenses, I hope that fake history doesn’t continue to get posted.