Marriage
There are many misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions as to what Marriage is and what it means. Over the last couple of decades, persons and groups prompted by political ideologies and attempts at social engineering have tried to blur and redefine the nature, law, and purpose of Marriage. Below is, by law and tradition what Marriage is and has meant in Western civilization.
Every human society practices Marriage in one form or another existing as a public legal act. It is a universal human idea sanctioned by society, as stated before, to promote the growth, advancement, and propagation of a civilization.
By Law, Marriage is a special civil contract between a Man and a Woman.
The participants in the contract must be willing and able to enter into the contract. If the marriage is entered into by one or more unwilling parties; or parties who were not able to (due to age, disability, law, etc.) enter into contract, the Marriage is rendered null and void, as if it had not occurred in the first place.
The Marriage contract must be enacted before witnesses presided over by a Judge, Justice, Administrator of a Religious Faith (Minister, Rabbi, etc.), or other sanctioned entity.
A marriage contract is then sealed by consummation. Any marriage that has not been consummated may be annulled, treating it as if it had not occurred.
A marriage that has been consummated may only be dissolved by the death of the spouse, or by divorce.
Divorce may (until the birth of the “No Fault” Divorce) only be granted for reasons of wanton cruelty and/or neglect, adultery, or abandonment (as detailed by law).
By law, upon Marriage, the Man and Woman become one person, as the legal existence of the woman is suspended for the period of Marriage; being consolidated into that of the Husband, under whose protection and influence she performs everything. This condition of marriage is called “Coverture” and the wife is a “feme-covert” [married woman].
Under the rules of coverture, the following applies:
1.Because a Man cannot contract with himself, a Man and Wife may not contract with one another, and aside from the contract of marriage, any covenants made between them while single become void upon their marriage. A will and any inheritance is in force, because it does not take affect until the death of the spouse, which ends the marriage.
2.A Man is required to assume the debts of his wife and maintain her as he would himself; providing her all necessaries (food, clothing, shelter, etc.). All debts transfer to the Wife if the Husband precedes her in death.
3.A Wife may not enter into contracts, or seek redress in the courts (aside from petition for divorce) without the Husband's consent, thereby having it done in his name; unless the husband is debilitated and unable to act for his wife or give his consent. Any contracts a Wife has made prior to her marriage may be voided by her Husband when he becomes aware of their existence.
4.A Wife cannot be sued without making the Husband a defendant.
5.The Husband and Wife face criminal charges separately when the penalty is more than a fine, but they may not be witness in evidence for or against the other. If a Wife commits a crime acting solely under the direction, guidance, and/or command of her Husband, it is the Husband that shall face the criminal charges.
6.The Husband has the right to give his Wife moderate correction in the same manner as he is allowed to correct his children.
The Rights and Obligations of Marriage:
1.The marriage creates affinal ties to the spouses family.
2.Each spouse has control over their partner's sexual services.
3.The Wife has control over her Husband's affairs if he is incapacitated.
4.Each spouse is allowed access to the other during periods of incarceration or infirmary.
5.Each spouse is legal guardian of their children.
6.Each spouse has a joint property fund and right to inheritance.
The above may seem “shocking” to some of you... but again, it is because the reality of what Marriage is and what it means has been blurred, distorted, and changed by political ideologies and attempts at social engineering.
Before “No-Fault” divorce, Political Correctness, and Social Engineering, it was not uncommon for a lot of thought and consideration to take place prior to making a commitment to Marriage. Marriage was a life-long commitment that has/had far reaching legal and social ramifications... not, as many today seem to believe, as a means to get new blenders, tax relief, and insurance benefits.
References include:
William Blackstone's Commentary on the Laws of England (the sourcebook behind the American legal system).
Encyclopedia Britannica
Canon Law of Marriage of the Roman Catholic Church, which was the force of law and practice of Marriage in the West before the reformation of the Sixteenth Century.
See also: http://www.marriagedebate.com/pdf/What%20is%20Marriage%20For.pdf


