All marriages banned?

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Yes, it only applies to new licenses. They're not canceling any current ones! I still see no problem - just head to the next county for your license, and continue with your plans. A cursory check revealed in several states, the license is valid for anywhere within the state - with the only exception being for out-of-state residents (and Oregon doesn't appear to make that distinction).

[ March 25, 2004, 19:51: Message edited by: Sojourner ]

 

I can't speak for most states or some states, as I've only been married once. In Maryland you are required to get the marriage license in the county where you intend to get married. This is a very strange rule, because for me and my wife, that isn't the county that either of us lived in. You would think that the authority would be the county where you planned to live, but in Maryland, it's all in where the ceremony is conducted.

 

Why not, (for example) just have a "commitment ceremony" following all of your existing plans, church, etc., and do the actual legal marriage in a city hall in another county?

I seriously cannot see what all the fuss is about. Weddings can be wonderful for the couple, they can be a great party for family and freinds, they can be an affirmation of your faith.

I think people are missing the forest for the trees. It shouldn't be about civic records and tax filing. Marriage is about love. Who cares what the state has to say about it?

I have a few Muslim freinds, and in the Muslim community, non-legal weddings are quite common. Since polygamy is not legal, they simply perform weddings in their own mosques as per their thousands-year old traditions. I'm not saying whether this is right or wrong, simply pointing out that a piece of paper from the government does not a wedding make. (FYI, polygamy, of course is not restricted to muslims. There are many Christian Sects throughout the US that practice polygamy . But that's probably another thread)

So, it seems to me that same-sex couples that wish to be married and commit for life: why not? If your local government won't allow you to do this technically: who cares? On the other hand, if people wish to be married and receive full benefits under the laws as spouses, is say again, why not?

So if your county outlaws marriage: Marry anyway, and thumb your nose at the sniveling bureaucrats. How romantic is that?

 

Now that is an interesting point. To many people, the religious ceremony is more important than the state/county recognizing the marriage. Just because the state won't issue a marriage license would not necessarily prohibit a priest, pastor, rabbi, etc. from performing a ceremony to marry two people. Traditionally, religious unions are acknowledged by the state, but if the church can choose not to recognize a marriage perofrmed by a JP for example, I suppose the opposite can be true as well.

Then, once this all blows over (as it eventually will) go down to the county courthouse, get your marriage license and have the ceremony performed by a JP at that time. I suppose it could work, provided the church is ammenable, and I see no reason why it wouldn't be.

Well, it is a week later - what's the status on this? Still no marriage licenses?

 

Why not indeed.
In fact why ban same gender marraiges anyway, if two people want to get married I really can't see the issue if they are the same gender or not.
If they're happy, have a good life together ahead of them and all that, what is the big deal?

 

Pardon me, but This thread was opened with this:

I don't think my post was off-topic.

thanks

 

Marriages are a thing of the past, its all about asexual reproduction now!

 

@dmc. I see; well, thanks, but I actually find moral/relegious debates on this issue VER boring and VERRY overargued. Secular/Legal debates I find interesting.

But I guess that's a hard distinction to make in a country where church and state are inextricably linked, in spite of constitutional murmurings to the contrary.

 

LOL. Well said, Erebus. You too, Grey, come to think of it.

With regard to the topic, I think it's grand that the state is geting out of marriage. Hopefully people will get married anyway and skip the legal requirements. That way we'll take another step on the happy road to making marriage a religious ceremony like it always has been.