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What if a legal marriage can only be performed by licensed officials only? What if we remove the "legal" ability for clergy to perform marriages? Thus anyone wanting to be legally married must have it done by a licensed person and, if the couple wishes, can then have their marriage sanctioned by their religious organization. This eliminates the argument that churches will be "forced" to perform marriages, as a church marriage would no longer be done for legal reasons.
Don't all marriages have to be performed by a "licensed" person?
Churches have always been able to "refuse" performing a ceremony for what ever reason...I tried to get married in a Kingdom Hall and was told straight out NO...same for a Mormon Ward...a Catholic Church...
The license to marry is issued by the State. You take the paper to an officiant. The officiant, be it a pastor, clerk, or notary, is licensed to perform the ceremony.
It does not matter to the state who marries you once you have the paper in your hand.
The officiant simply signs the document along with the couple and the witness. The officiant, sends it off to be registered by the State. Once the marriage is registered, the State sends you your official marriage license with the raised seal.
There is no reason to deny anyone a license to perform the ceremony. Many couples marry in a civil ceremony and later on have a religious ceremony. The religious ceremony is never a requirement of the State.
Why make people go through two ceremonies? Let churches marry those who want a church wedding and that church is willing to perform the service and those who do not want a religious ceremony to continue with the opinions they have. In other words no change.
Why make people go through two ceremonies? Let churches marry those who want a church wedding and that church is willing to perform the service and those who do not want a religious ceremony to continue with the opinions they have. In other words no change.
The religious ceremony is superfluous and voluntary. The marriage must be licensed by the State.
Marriage customs are varied, however they are not legal unless licensed by the State. Without the State license it is simply a commitment ceremony, or vow renewal.
If you have a license, you can have as many other ceremonies as you wish.
Why make people go through two ceremonies? Let churches marry those who want a church wedding and that church is willing to perform the service and those who do not want a religious ceremony to continue with the opinions they have. In other words no change.
I believe the intent, like the law they are trying to pass here in Michigan, is that if ONLY the clergy can perform marriage ceremonies, it reduces the likelihood of gay marriages being performed assuming most clergy will refuse to do a gay marriage..
I believe the intent, like the law they are trying to pass here in Michigan, is that if ONLY the clergy can perform marriage ceremonies, it reduces the likelihood of gay marriages being performed assuming most clergy will refuse to do a gay marriage..
I know of the Michigan bill. I thought that the OP wanted to remove the clergy from marrying people and that to me seems totally unnecessary. Here we can get a one f day license that allows you to perform as many weddings as you want for that one day. Bills to make it so only clergy or that prohibits clergy are man spirited. Michigan should be embrassed.
I believe the intent, like the law they are trying to pass here in Michigan, is that if ONLY the clergy can perform marriage ceremonies, it reduces the likelihood of gay marriages being performed assuming most clergy will refuse to do a gay marriage..
In that case it is going to open a can of worms. Which religious clergy are required?
What if a person belongs to a religion that has no ordained clergy> Such as Islam. No clergy is required for our marriage. It is a contract between 2 people with witnesses chosen by both parties.
How about Atheists or Theists that do not follow a faith?
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