[Alberta's Child]

Marriage is NOT a "contract," although it usually includes one. It is fundamentally much more than that.

I know. That's why I put "marriage" in quotes in my prior post. The government had no business getting involved in marriage in the first place. I'm surprised churches haven't been more open about recognizing this. The government's only involvement (to the extent there even is one) is in the enforcement of contracts that may or may not have anything to do with a sacramental marriage.

[fwdude]

If the government has no business involving itself in marriage, then who officiates conflicts when marriages hit a hard patch, are on the verge of failing, or are contested as to their legitimacy by outside parties? Who assigns responsibility for innocent children of such unions and their support?

There are just too many practical outworkings of marriage for the government to be hands off. It is woven into society, so there are requirements and expectations of the participants. Otherwise, marital anarchy.