[FReepaholic]

Why should people be required to get a LICENSE from the GOVERNMENT to marry, anyway??

[PokeyJoe]

You don't.

Ever hear of "common law" marriage?

[Nucluside]

"Why should people be required to get a LICENSE from the GOVERNMENT to marry, anyway??"

That's a good point.

[gitmo]

They don't. God instituted marriage.

[Jay D. Dyson]

Why should people be required to get a LICENSE from the GOVERNMENT to marry, anyway??

Three simple reasons:

1. Legal record for inheritance and family involvement in related affairs.
   (I sure don't want Jagoff Jones claiming inheritance on my estate without sufficient documentation.)
2. Legal record to inhibit and prosecute bigamy.
   (Of course, bigamy has its own built-in punishment: two mothers-in-law.)
3. Legal record to assert paternal responsibility.
   (So the rest of society doesn't get socked because some jackass can't keep it in his pants. Remember that the institution of marriage far predates blood and DNA tests.)

That's why the government issues marriage licenses.

-Jay

[grania]

Why should people be required to get a LICENSE from the GOVERNMENT to marry, anyway??

In my mind, there are two things that should be separated. People get married, under the witness of the religion they accept. The state should have nothing to do with that...it's really none of their business.

For legal stuff, like pooling assets, inheritence, the couple care for one another before anyone else does, government affirms that agreement.

I'll stay away from any church that performs gay marriages. But, I don't think it's the business of the government to tell the church what to do. And I don't think "civil union" is gay (or any kind) of marriage.