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This is not correct, almost all states require a ceremony which the officiant signs off, not necessarily religious but a government approved officiant must perform a ceremony.
I assume because the majority wish to protect the rights of the vulnerable.
Most people are against forcing people to marry against their will.
Most people are against child brides. There is a movement in some states to raise the legal age of marriage to 18 and do away with any parental or judicial consent for minors to marry.
And polygamy is illegal in the US.
I think maybe this is just remnants of times past. Maybe this bill with get other stats questioning why a ceremony is required and they will do away with it being mandatory.
I remember my mandatory ceremony at the courthouse. It was quite awful.
It is important to remember that for much of history, even in the USA when a female married she and all that she had (or was expected to get) became property of her husband.
A girl who was say daughter of a wealthy man or had money in her own right could be "seduced" into marriage and once the deed was done her husband got immediate rights to all her money, property and so forth. With the law on his side, said husband could then proceed to kiss and or kick every single cent out of his wife, and there was little anyone else could do.
By requiring some sort of official ceremony the officiating is obliged by states laws that both parties are of age, and making the marriage of their own free will.
The other reasons for mandatory public ceremonies is at least in theory give anyone with valid objections a chance to speak up.
" If anyone knows of any just cause or impediment why these two people may not be joined together in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace", are not just words uttered; but legally that is when someone/anyone who knows any reason why two people shouldn't be married needs to speak up. True while soap opera, movie or whatever media depictions of someone standing up, bursting into the church or court house with some *shocking* statement was rare, purpose of those words remains the same.
I think maybe this is just remnants of times past. Maybe this bill with get other stats questioning why a ceremony is required and they will do away with it being mandatory.
I remember my mandatory ceremony at the courthouse. It was quite awful.
Yes. I actually have PTSD going anywhere near a courthouse or dealing with lawyers. A religious officiant might care about the ceremony but if you are not religious you get stuck in a musty court house room or some JP in it for a few bucks. There are plenty of horror stories.
I don't mind being required to have witnesses when I sign certain documents, that can be done at town hall or the bank, but I don't like being forced to have some authority breathing down my neck over personal decisions. The legal system is too complicated even for simple matters.
Alabama is doing this for the wrong reasons but it is the right thing.
I assume because the majority wish to protect the rights of the vulnerable.
Most people are against forcing people to marry against their will.
Most people are against child brides. There is a movement in some states to raise the legal age of marriage to 18 and do away with any parental or judicial consent for minors to marry.
And polygamy is illegal in the US.
If a person is legal to enter a contract, that person is legal to marry. Marriage is just a contract.
Why should polygamy be illegal? Does love stop at 1, 2, 3 or 4 people? The government should have no say in how the people form their families voluntarily.
Sure it would. You'd just need another document (either state issued, or at least officially recognized) that supported your relationship.
Your example is like saying you can't light a fire without a match. But you can light a fire with a lighter, magnifying glass, two sticks (neither matches), a 9V battery and some wire wool, and 1001 other ways.
Wherein lies the rub, doesn't it?
Written into countless federal and state or local laws are requirements to show a "valid marriage license" to obtain a vast and bewildering array of benefits. Just what else would be considered such a document as a replacement.
If a person is legal to enter a contract, that person is legal to marry. Marriage is just a contract.
Why should polygamy be illegal? Does love stop at 1, 2, 3 or 4 people? The government should have no say in how the people form their families voluntarily.
One must be 18 to enter into a legal contract.
The government doesn't have a say in how people form their families voluntarily. They just have to follow the monogamous requirement to have a government sanctioned marriage.
Take it up with your state legislators.
It is important to remember that for much of history, even in the USA when a female married she and all that she had (or was expected to get) became property of her husband.
A girl who was say daughter of a wealthy man or had money in her own right could be "seduced" into marriage and once the deed was done her husband got immediate rights to all her money, property and so forth. With the law on his side, said husband could then proceed to kiss and or kick every single cent out of his wife, and there was little anyone else could do.
By requiring some sort of official ceremony the officiating is obliged by states laws that both parties are of age, and making the marriage of their own free will.
The other reasons for mandatory public ceremonies is at least in theory give anyone with valid objections a chance to speak up.
" If anyone knows of any just cause or impediment why these two people may not be joined together in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace", are not just words uttered; but legally that is when someone/anyone who knows any reason why two people shouldn't be married needs to speak up. True while soap opera, movie or whatever media depictions of someone standing up, bursting into the church or court house with some *shocking* statement was rare, purpose of those words remains the same.
Good points.
Today those things are no longer needed.
Ah, some poor widdle conservative snowflakes got their fweelings hurt! If you can't have marriage all to yourself we'll make sure no one can have it either!
Why is the government involved in marriages anyway?
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