Is marriage unconstitutional?

Joie Libutti: No. Civil marriage shares the same name as the institution used by various religions, which is also the same name used by non-religious societies. It is a social construct that many consider to be a religious institution, but it isn't inherently so. Legally, it is a declaration of a life-partnership and a statement that all the rights, privileges, and obligations that one would expect to go along with a life partnership should be assumed to be granted to that partner. It is a purely civil construct that uses the same name as the religious construct because it is inherently similar.Due to the strong similarity, the State will recognize marriage ceremonies performed by religious leaders, but what actually makes the marriage legal is the filing of the marriage certificate with the State. What makes it binding in the religion is the religious ceremony. The State doesn't care one way or the other about the religious ceremony. You have to do the paperwork....Show ! more

Ronny Nowzari: No marriage is constitutional despite that.

Rona Ising: Priests and ministers DO NOT marry people.All that's required for a legal marriage is that the two people get a marriage license and have it signed by one witness.That witness can be anyone - friend, relative, priest, rabbi, even a waitress at a local diner.Religious personnel are not "licensed by the state".The religious ceremony serves no legala purpose. it's purely to keep grandma happy....Show more

Patricia Dornbos: how can a marriage be issued by religion? many people are getting married in church "in front of the God", so no, some people feel their marriage is worth more if it is done in the church

Felipa Nosis: Marriages aren't issued by religions. They are issued by the state, and many religious authorities are licensed by the state to perform the ceremonies.Listen to the end of a marriage ceremony. In most places, it will end with a variation of "By the power invest! ed in me by the state of _______".