There is ample evidence to support your mother's view but also a history of governments not just the U.S. in turning the event of marriage into a civil matter. Some of those reasons according to this account, were steeped in racism. The State's role in marriage became even more important when the State took over the business of dissolving them. The vow "till death do us part" was cast aside in favor of the courts making all decisions. By now, the link between the church and marriage has been so badly trampled by the State that I cannot imagine it ever being used in support of the 1st Amendment.abom2 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 5:56 am Many years ago I came home on "Leave" for just a few days. Time was of the essence. I had very little luck for the previous few months locating a church that would wed my fiance and myself. Letters and phone calls received negative replies. It seems folks did not want to perform the ceremony due to our differing faiths.
I figured we would end up going to the JP and get the license. My mother stated "You are not married unless the ceremony is performed before the eyes of God, by a man of faith." I listened to my mother and as the last act of hope, called the church I was raised in. The Pastor there performed the ceremony only after meeting with my fiance and myself first.
In reality the Marriage License is on a Writ of Proof (Tax Stamp) that a couple has paid the Marriage Tax. A marriage performed in a church is recorded in the book and in some cases, a certificate commemorating the event is issued.
Mom was right of course.
https://www.marriage.com/advice/license ... e-history/