Why is the government involved in granting marriage?

It seems a good number of states are adopting rules regarding civil unions. The civil union giving rights similar to marriage. So, why does the government even need to be involved in the marriage debate? Why not just grant civil unions to everyone and leave the granting of marriage to the church? All the rights are attached to the civil union.Why is the government involved in granting marriage?
I'm with you. As a Catholic I believe Marriage is a Sacrament. It is a bond between a man, woman, and God.





Government has nothing to say about my marriage. It is my right to celebrate my religion without government intervention as long as I don't infringe on anyone Else's rights.





As for enforcing financial contracts, fine, include those statutes under civil unions.Why is the government involved in granting marriage?
Because marriage is a legal contract between two people which involves legal responsibilities and obligations.





It has always been that way. A marriage ceremony was a public declaration that two people made in front of their relatives and community. Thereafter, a man was responsible for supporting his wife and their children and couldn't just leave them without any means. We now attack other legal obligations and rights to married couples, from the right to make medical decisions to tax deductions. I thing I've read that there are over 1,000 legal rights granted upon marriage.





Because of all these legailites, the state has the right to oversee the institution.
My sentiments exactly


see:


http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;鈥?/a>
Here's the true history of marriage licenses:





Before the Civil War, people went to a preacher, had a ceremony and were considered married. After the Civil War, blacks were emancipated, but whites in many states were not too eager for race mixing. In order to discourage interracial marriage, states passed laws requiring marriage certificates. If a mixed couple applied, they were usually denied on some trumped-up grounds. This happened in many states, not just Southern ones.





I agree that the government should completely remove itself from the institution of marriage, civil unions or whatever people choose to do with their private lives.
Well....you get incentives from th government when you get married....so I guess you have to give something too.