Quote:
Originally Posted by TK Burk
Since you two chose a "Quaker Marriage", why did you return afterward to calling your wife your "fiancé "? Wasn't the QM a real marriage?
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There is an entire thread on marriage licensing wherein Quaker tradition is covered in more depth. Traditionally Quakers refused to participate in civil marriage licensing in both England and the United States. Their marriage customs also do not have an officiant. The couple stands before friends and family declaring their desire to marry. A clearness committee counsels them and a date is set. At the wedding, the couple stands together before friends and family and gives their "promises" (Quakers don't perform oaths or vows). They exchange rings (sometimes) and sign a Quaker marriage certificate. If the couple wishes to have their marriage filed with the government, they have a committee member file paperwork with the state. If not, the are considered married in God's eyes and it's done. The clearness committee helps them attain all necessary powers of attorney, wills, etc., to secure most rights of couples in a civil marriage, but the union isn't contracted with the state. They also handle their divorces in house, thereby obeying Paul's admonition not to go before unbelieving courts (
I Corinthians 6:1-8).
Here are some excerpts from "Faith and Practice": "Quaker Marriage Procedure"...
"Marriage is a sacred commitment of two people to love one another in faithful partnership with the expectation that the relationship will mature and be mutually enriching. Friends know that marriage depends on the inner experiences of the couple who marry and not on any external service or words. Thus, the ceremony in which the couple enter into this commitment is performed by the couple alone, in the presence of God, the families, and the worshiping community. Both the solemnity and the joy of the occasion are enhanced by its simplicity."
"While most Friends’ marriage ceremonies conform to civil law, couples who do not want, or are not eligible to contract a legal marriage occasionally ask for a ceremony of commitment or a wedding under the care of the Meeting. The Religious Society of Friends has long asserted its freedom to conduct under divine leading marriage ceremonies not conforming to civil law."
Today, some Baptist and other fundamentalist churches have similar arrangements that have become known as "Quaker Marriages", based on origin. Some call them "Covenant Marriages" seeing that they are not civil contracts but spiritual covenants.
http://www.truthinliving.org/Marriage_Covenant.php
http://ncrenegade.com/education/how-...out-a-license/
http://www.mercyseat.net/marriagelicense.html
So, a Quaker marriage is indeed a real marriage. However, it isn't necessarily a civil marriage under government authority and bound by the civil laws and definitions of the state.