In God's Eyes Only:

[Aquila]

The Libertarian in me wants to say that it's none of the GOVERNMENT's business. Marriage is between the individual, their God, and their love. If they desire the union... and at least two witnesses can testify to our intent to be husband and wife (parents included for a woman never married)... it's a marriage. Rather the government wants to recognize it or not.

[Aquila]

Very interesting articles:

Conservative side:
http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1657

Liberal Side:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a..._marriage.html

[Aquila]

Interesting book on this subject:

MARRIAGE WITHOUT A LICENSE: A Completely Moral Alternative to Civil Marriage
Laura M. Sands (Author)
http://www.amazon.com/MARRIAGE-WITHO.../dp/B0050VILR8

[Aquila]

Interesting link:

Marriage Without A License Is the Only True Christian Marriage
http://www.boundaries-for-effective-...t-license.html

[Aquila]

Sample of a sovereign Christian Marriage Contract:

Christian Marriage Contract

I. The Authority

In the Name of God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, we, _____________________ and ______________________ , hereby, before these witnesses, are joined in holy matrimony, as God intended in Genesis 2: 21-25, from this day forward until death.

The sole authority in and for this marriage shall be the Almighty God as revealed in the Holy Bible. His words shall be final Authority in every decision and/or dispute.

II. The parties

_______________________ is a man of sound mind and character, and of lawful age, attesting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the preeminence of the Word of God.

_______________________ is a woman of sound mind and character, and of lawful age, attesting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the preeminence of the Word of God.

III. The Benefits

Both of the parties shall have the usual and customary duties of marriage including, but not limited to, the following:

Mutual sexual congress

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain suitable standards of hygiene.

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to meet one another’s sexual needs both physical and emotional in a spirit of love, openness, and respect.

Mutual society

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain open communication for the benefit of the home.

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain a peaceful home environment.

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain respect for one another’s personal property, papers, and effects.

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain appropriate respect for one another’s family.

Mutual rearing of children

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain acceptable parenting standards with regards to the children.

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to employ reasonable levels of disciple with regards to the children.

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain suitable standards of hygiene with regards to the children.

It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain suitable standards with regards to the education of the children.

Mutual support, including, but not limited to:

Financial: It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain suitable levels of income to sustain the home.


Moral: It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to maintain suitable standards of moral character.


Spiritual: It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to respect and encourage one another’s spiritual development and needs.


Domestic: It is specifically agreed that each party will endeavor to assist with chores and the maintenance of the home. An addendum with regards to the suitable division of household chores/duties may be added to this contract as agreed upon at a later date.

IV. The Prohibitions

The following activities or behaviors shall be considered violations of the marriage contract:

Adultery:

Adultery is defined as any sexual activity or conduct with any person or persons not a party to this agreement.

Abandonment:

Abandonment shall be defined as either the filing in state court of any instrument seeking either legal separation or legal dissolution of the marriage, or desertion from the marital home for a period of no less than six months - whether support is paid by the deserting party or not.

Assault against a party or child of this marriage:

Assault is defined to be injurious or potentially injurious unwanted physical contact. A child of this marriage shall include any child of either party who is living with the parties and any adopted child.

Criminal behavior:

Criminal behavior shall be defined as one party’s willful and ongoing activities in violation of law such as would subject that party and/or the household to criminal sanctions and incarceration.

Dangerous behavior:

Dangerous behavior shall be defined as one party’s willful participation in behavior that has not been agreed upon by both parties that subjects the other party and/or the household to physical danger.

Ejection:

Ejection shall be defined as one party’s ejection of the other party.

Ejection is the removal of the other person from the marital home.

Ejection need not be by force to be prohibited by this agreement.

Ejection may be demonstrated by removal of the other party’s personal property from the marital home, the changing of the locks, or the mere demand by one party that the other party leave the marital home.

Habitual drunkenness or drug intoxication:

Habitual drunkenness or drug intoxication, whether criminal or not, is prohibited. Habitual drunkenness or drug intoxication shall be deemed to include a party’s being under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a noticeable or perceptible degree more often than ___ days per month.

Illness:

It is specifically agreed upon and understood that becoming physically or mentally ill is not prohibited conduct. The other party’s becoming physically or mentally ill is not, in itself, prohibited by this contract and cannot be the basis for seeking a remedy under this contract.

Misfortune:

It is specifically agreed and understood that becoming financially poor is not prohibited conduct.

V. To Whom Appeal is Made

The first appeal, when one party believes the other party has violated the prohibitions above, shall be in accordance with Matthew 18: 15-18, that is, the offended party shall take the matter to the accused party.

If no resolution results from the first appeal, may demand physical separation from the accused party. See “The remedies” below.

If no resolution results from the first appeal, the offended party shall take the matter to the accused party with two or three impartial witnesses.

If no resolution results, the offended party shall call for the church or family counselor to judge and counsel concerning the matter.

The proceedings of the church or family counselor shall be recorded to whatever extent possible.

The standard of proof shall be preponderance of the evidence.

If a party is found to be at fault, the church or family counselor shall render a decision concerning separation and/or divorce and concerning suggested financial restitution.

All decisions of the church or family counselor shall be binding upon the parties for permanent separation or divorce.

VI. The Remedies

Resolution and reconciliation:

Resolution and reconciliation shall be defined as counsel from godly ministers who are of sound mind and character and believers in the Word of God in attempt to resolve circumstances and issues related to any violation of the above prohibitions.

Separation:

Separation shall be defined as the leaving of or removal of one party at the demand of another party based upon allegation(s) of violation(s) of the contractual prohibitions above. Where physical separation is initiated, the accused party shall leave the domicile, especially where children are part of the household. Physical custody of any children shall remain with the respective parents. The separation demanded, unless otherwise agreed upon or ordered, shall last no longer than 90 days unless the allegation(s) are verified by preponderance of the evidence before the church, family counselor, or state court of law. Resolution and reconciliation may proceed by mutual agreement. Upon a showing that the allegation(s) of contractual prohibitions are true, either by the church, family counselor, or a state court, the separation will be deemed permanent, subject to future consideration, resolution, and reconciliation initiated by the parties involved.

Divorce:

Divorce shall be defined as the complete dissolution of this marriage contract and may only be sought by a party claiming and showing a violation of the contractual provisions against adultery or abandonment. Initial separation shall follow the procedure above. After a hearing of the matter before the church, family counselor, or state court, the prevailing party may, if a state marriage license has been obtained, file for a civil dissolution in state court.

VII. Witnesses and abuse of process

If the church or family counselor determines by clear and convincing evidence that a party has been untruthful or has induced a witness to be untruthful in any proceeding before the church or family counselor, said party shall be deemed guilty of abandonment.

If the church or family counselor deems that a party has repeatedly engaged the process without just cause, that party shall be deemed guilty of abandonment. For purposes of this paragraph, “repeatedly” shall be no fewer than three times.

It is acknowledged by all parties involved that this contract expresses a purely spiritual agreement and is sovereign with relation to all civil legalities.

The undersigned parties do hereby agree to the terms of this contract:


___________________________
Husband


_________________________
Wife


The undersigned do hereby witness the agreement of the parties:


___________________________
Witness

_________________________
Witness

[Aquila]

It just dawned on me... a lot of this would have been resolved if Common Law Marriage wasn't abolished in my state. According to the laws that used to pertain to common law marriage the following criteria made a common law marriage an actual legal marriage

A common law marriage exists only if all of the following are true:

•The couple has a mutual agreement of marriage "in praesenti" (presently).
•Both people are competent to marry (that is, of age and so on).
•The couple has sexually consummated the marriage and lives together.
•The couple holds themselves out to the public as husband and wife.
•The couple has a reputation in the community as husband and wife.

Interesting.

[Aquila]

Interesting article:

Christian Marriage Without License and Common Law Marriage: What's the Difference?
By Thomas Drummond
http://ezinearticles.com/?Christian-...e?&id=51340301