DGS49
Diamond Member
- Apr 12, 2012
- 16,418
- 14,377
When a Church blesses (or creates) a "Marriage," it is sanctioning a package of moral prerogatives and obligations which lasts - in theory at least - until one of the two parties dies. If one of the parties breaches one of the moral obligations - say she has intercourse with someone not her spouse - there is no legal issue; it has nothing to do with, and is no concern of, the State.
When a State sanctions (or creates) a "Marriage" it is putting in place a package of legal prerogatives and obligations which lasts as long as the marriage lasts. It has no moral component and no connection to the Church-blessed marriage, except by coincidence.
Churches should advise their ministers, priests, rabbis, and other officials to REJECT or ABANDON their right to create legal marriages, and they should advise their members that there are two, unrelated institutions that they might choose to enter: one by the State, and one by a Church official. They can enter into either or both or neither - it is up to them to decide.
Legal marriage belongs to Caesar, and the Churches shouldn't worry about it. None of their business. And vice versa.
When a State sanctions (or creates) a "Marriage" it is putting in place a package of legal prerogatives and obligations which lasts as long as the marriage lasts. It has no moral component and no connection to the Church-blessed marriage, except by coincidence.
Churches should advise their ministers, priests, rabbis, and other officials to REJECT or ABANDON their right to create legal marriages, and they should advise their members that there are two, unrelated institutions that they might choose to enter: one by the State, and one by a Church official. They can enter into either or both or neither - it is up to them to decide.
Legal marriage belongs to Caesar, and the Churches shouldn't worry about it. None of their business. And vice versa.