On the Government and Marriage
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness."
Marriage is a Religious Ceremony with people taking religious vows, making promises to each other that are essentially spiritual in nature.
As a Minister, I always believed that Marriage is a Religious Ceremony. I have conducted many weddings for heterosexual couples. I have also conducted many “blessings” for gay couples.
As a student of World Religions, I have learned there are various religions that have many different practices regarding marriage. The people known as the Mormons had their belief in polygamy declared illegal by the government. There were, and may still be, tribes where polyandry has been practiced. What are we going to do when a Muslim man with his 4 wives immigrates legally to the United States? Are we going to say that the Religion of that man cannot be practiced in the United States?
The United States Government is prohibited by the Constitution from establishing any religion, and by implication, any specific religious service. Therefore, the only government approved agreement between people should be a legal partnership, corporation, or other such legality, unhindered by race, sex, creed, religion, national origin, age (past majority), color or handicapping condition.
It is my firm belief that no government, basing it’s laws on the Constitution of the United States of America, should make any laws regarding a religious ceremony or ritual, vow, or agreement between peoples. In fact, many people are now making legal pre-nuptial agreements, because the current marriage laws are constantly shown to be unable to be upheld in Courts of Law. It is the heterosexual people, married under current laws and auspices of the government who are divorcing at a rate of 50%.
I have questions for our legislators:
Ø What is the fundamental reason why the government should be involved in marriage, other than recording such events for purposes of relationship; such as those who are parents of a child of this relationship?
Ø If the government is to serve the common good, what advantage is it for the “common good” for all the people of the United States of America for the government to control Marriage?
Ø Does it create greater stability in our communities to say that some people can have legal personal relationships and others cannot?
Ø Does it create some financial benefit for all the people of the United States for people to be married only to one other person?
Ø In what way does government involvement in marriage ensure “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” that our Declaration of Independence promises, for ALL?