Is marriage a civic function for everyone, or *only* a religious function for consenting believers?

Is it a civic and legal preserve of the state, albeit allowing a religious ';flavour';, or is it religious only?





If religious only, does that mean that all unbelievers should be banned from marriage, or only some?





Please explain your reasons.Is marriage a civic function for everyone, or *only* a religious function for consenting believers?
Marriage here in the US and around the world IS a civic state. It is to announce to the whole community in which they live that they are solely unto themselves. Neither is available and it is more a contract rather than a religious ceremony.


Sorry Christians, Muslims, and Jews (those of the Abrahamic faiths) it was never considered a religious ceremony until around the 16th or 17th centuries (1500's to 1600's) when the church decided that these contractual marriages must be ordained by the church and God and that no one can be ';married'; without it. This way the local clergy could have a say in whether they seperated or divorced when the contracted interests of the church (political or monetary) would not benefit them in those areas. Many marriages were made to unite clans, neighbors, countries, and businesses. Very seldom was it for love. The church, for a time, was so involved with peoples faith and beliefs as well as mandating how they should live that even the consumation would have to be observed by a priest. They even went so far, for a time, that they preached that even marital sex was only for the purpose of procreation and if you enjoyed it you were considered a sinner and must do penance for it such as self flogging, prostrate yourself for hours on end in front of the temple altar, or fast for a month or two, or all three. Only since the reign of Queen Victoria (mid 1800's to early 1900's) did it become standard to marry for love. It was to uphold a law set by a previous monarch in England that stated that the church will not be able to make decisions based on religion nor will marriage be considered a contract without the consent of both parties (bride or groom). The only time clergy were not mandated was when on a ship. Later, around 1910, it was no longer required. A local court official could preform the ceremony and have a signed and witnessed document to prove marriage was legal and consentual. But, the religious majority of that time made stipulations to the law stating it must be between a man and a woman of consenting age (some states 16 others18), no opposite races (no whites with black, chinese, or others of offending color or culture), depending on the state, you could marry another hispanic, native american, or polenesian and it would be considered legal and binding.


How another person promises themselves to another is between them. Before and when Christianity was just starting to become popular, in most cultures all you needed was to pay the bride price, make a deal with the head of the family, had a celebration, and the couple moved to their new home. If the other wanted to leave or divorce all they had to do is collect their belongings, stand outside the door of their home, pronounce they are divorced and no longer want to live with that person and it was done. It was honored.


How another person promises faithfulness and stability with another is no one elses concerns. If they wish to be together and solely unto one another why can they not say so and it be done? Because the forced laws of the past by the Christian majority made it so and it has carried on for many centuries.Is marriage a civic function for everyone, or *only* a religious function for consenting believers?
According to God's Word, the Bible, God blessed the marriage between Adam and Eve and stated it was for the purpose of a man and a woman coming together to become 'one flesh' and to procreate. That's the Christian position.





Civic marriage is the legal preserve of the state and Governments can do whatever they like, apparently.





To answer your question, a civic marriage between consenting peopole is open to everyone but a Christian marriage should only be open to a consenting man and a consenting woman who are believers (although most Christian churches in the United Kingdom are prepared to marry people who have not been baptised and are not members of a church). A Christian or a civic marriage between same-sex people would be null and void in the eyes of God.
Civil and legal functions concerning marriage between same sexes are man made laws. No where in God's Word He says that He sanctifies a marriage between same sexes.


Marriage was made for man and woman by God.


God says that man can kill only the body but He, God, can kill the body and soul.


I'm on God's side for a marriages between a man and a woman only.


Even men and women who are unbelievers are sanctified in marriage and approved by God.
And they say the bible does no harm, and is all good.





It seems like a double-standard if you ask me. EVERY argument for marriage boils pack into it being ';between a man and a woman, because the bible\god says so.';





Everything else is self-rationalization. So, why is it unbelievers and false-believers can be married?
Real christians preach the pure word of God, they don't get into other people business.


I saw a bunch of christians fornicators , adulterers and female preachers protesting gay marriage, that 's crazy.
Even so, which religion? Are my Christian brethren going after the Muslim marriages too? How about Hindu marriage? Buddhists?





No.





Why not?





Wouldn't worshiping a false God and getting married in their name be worse than a homosexual getting married to another homosexual? So why not pick on both?





It's too hard. Politicians would never get elected raising such a banner.





So it's left out. It's not as important . . . seemingly.





So I believe the reason why Christianity isn't being upright about gay marriage is because politicians are leading the charge, and my brethren are so blind to it





Played like a harp.
Apparently the Taliban is alive and well in America. They merely changed from the turbans and the Koran to crucifixes and the Bible. It's only a matter of time before I can't perform any marriages (Handfastings) as they aren't ';Christian'; either.





Brightest Blessings,


Raji the Green Witch
Marriage is a legal contract between two people, recognized by the government and many other institutions, affording tax breaks, reduced rates, etc. for holding a marriage license. The religion aspect is ancillary and optional.