[Cboldt]

Marriage and divorce law were in courts of equity, which had different jurisdiction compared with courts of law. And the roots of courts of equity are ecclesiastical (church) courts, which were allowed to co-exist with courts of law, in days gone by.

The distinction doesn't resolve anything, it simply illuminates how "holy matrimony" and "court" were tied together historically.

I wasn't disagreeing with your contention that marriage was a "legal" matter, I was only pointing out that "legal matters" used to be assigned to separate authorities, and "marriage law" was out of the jurisdiction of "courts of law," and in the jurisdiction of "courts of equity."

Courts of law and courts of equity were merged in the not so distant past, and most people today are ignorant of the history.

[ansel12]

What are you talking about? Where, when, who?

Globally? Throughout history? In the United States? All races and cultures? The Native Americans?