Taking Marriage Private - New York Times

Taking Marriage Private - New York Times: "For 16 centuries, Christianity also defined the validity of a marriage on the basis of a couple’s wishes. If two people claimed they had exchanged marital vows — even out alone by the haystack — the Catholic Church accepted that they were validly married."

"The American colonies officially required marriages to be registered, but until the mid-19th century, state supreme courts routinely ruled that public cohabitation was sufficient evidence of a valid marriage."

Privatize Marriage Now by Ryan McMaken

Privatize Marriage Now by Ryan McMaken: "Many people get 'married' in courthouses in totally non-religious ceremonies. Such marriage contracts are in essence no different from run-of-the-mill legal contracts. The fact that we call such unions 'marriage' doesn’t make them so. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, marriage is a religious matter. Some government judge can’t make you 'married' any more than can your hair dresser."