1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Are you okay with common law marriage?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Marcia, Mar 2, 2010.

?
  1. Yes, I see no biblical problems with it if the state recognizes it.

    15 vote(s)
    44.1%
  2. No, I do not think this is biblical marriage (say why).

    15 vote(s)
    44.1%
  3. Not sure

    3 vote(s)
    8.8%
  4. Other (please explain)

    1 vote(s)
    2.9%
  1. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2004
    Messages:
    11,139
    Likes Received:
    1
    On the thread 'Common Law,' at least 4 people are okay with people living together in states that recognize common law marriage - no marriage license or wedding needed.

    I wondered how many agree and why or why not?
     
  2. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    There is no such thing as a biblical "common law" marriage. "Common law" is basically legally protected shacking up (in some states). It is not a marriage and is tantamount to ongoing fornication. Anyone who is in a "common law" situation should be confronted as outlined in scripture until either the situation is changed or the church discipline is completely carried out.
     
  3. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2007
    Messages:
    2,703
    Likes Received:
    20
    The Biblical model, as well as the model of nearly all the world's great religions, is of a man and woman exchanging vows. Usually they are in a public setting and if they are not, the couple's family and friends are aware of the vows being exchanged. It creates a public expectation that this couple owe duties and privileges to each other. It makes breaking up a lot more difficult, as well it should. If, on the other hand, there is no public recognition of the couple exchanging their marriage vows, they are free to split when they feel like it without social consequences. This is not a good thing for society.

    Besides that, Christians have always got married in public ceremonies. This tradition goes all the way back to early Bible times, continued into the Christian era, and is alive and well today.
     
  4. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2005
    Messages:
    10,407
    Likes Received:
    0
    This is not true. In states that recognize common law, it is the same as any other marriage and requires a divorce to split.
     
  5. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2005
    Messages:
    10,407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Totally wrong. It is just another way that some states recognize someone as being married.
     
  6. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Define "common law marriage." Many erroneously believe that it's a defacto status endowed upon those who simply cohabit for a time. That is not a common law marriage.

    Define it, and I will respond to the poll.
     
  7. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That's right, because there is no common law divorce.
     
  8. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0
    My evil twin (Biggietim) doubleposted!
     
  9. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0
    I put I am not sure...
    Since there is no specifics in the Bible on what constitutes a wedding ceremony..
    IF a man and woman come together and declare they are married, and the state they live in declare them married.. who are we to say they are not.

    This is one argument where I am arguing against me, myself, and I.. .
    I simply don't know.
     
  10. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2005
    Messages:
    10,407
    Likes Received:
    0
    I like that. I need an evil doppelganger to be a scapegoat for my boo boos.
     
  11. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2003
    Messages:
    11,250
    Likes Received:
    0
    How about Opposite Poles!...
     
  12. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2007
    Messages:
    5,533
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    For Christians, I would be against it, but for non-believers I'm not so sure. Christians believe marriage is sacred in the sight of God and is a holy union. Unbelievers do not always believe this. They look at marriage as a legal union, so if the law says they're married, they're married.
     
  13. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2005
    Messages:
    10,407
    Likes Received:
    0
    There you go. I like it.
     
  14. dcorbett

    dcorbett Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2003
    Messages:
    3,414
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    So God's law doesn't have to apply? People can do whatever? Cause homosexuals live together as consenting adults....does that make it ok?


    I am not arguing, I am asking.
     
  15. donnA

    donnA Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2000
    Messages:
    23,354
    Likes Received:
    0
    they live together with the intent to be married, and even call themselves married, and this is my 'husband' or this is my 'wife', they fit the bill for common law marriage.
     
  16. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2007
    Messages:
    2,703
    Likes Received:
    20
    Yes but they don't realize that until they get ready to split. I know maybe 100 or so couples who are cohabiting and not one of them is doing so for the purpose of creating a common law marriage. Common law marriage is a legal fiction the created by judges, not by God.
     
  17. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,944
    Likes Received:
    1,661
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I don't see anything is scripture that says a man and a woman must go before a pastor/priest etc to be declared "man and wife" before God will recognize it as a valid marriage.

    IMHO, that is a tradition of the Catholic Church (sacrament of marriage...only before a priest) that carried over into the reformation.

    That said, like so many things, the intent of the people involved are paramount. If a couple is looking for a loop-hole for the whole "till death do us part" thing, then no.

    If they make their intent known to their family and friends to be husband and wife before God, and they believe going before a pastor and/or the state to validate their marriage is inappropriate according to their Christian conscience, then I'd personally consider them to be married.

    peace to you:praying:
     
    #17 canadyjd, Mar 2, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 2, 2010
  18. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,944
    Likes Received:
    1,661
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Concerning same s*x marriage, donnA said:
    That isn't true for States, at least those who do not recognize same s*x marriage.

    It isn't true of God, which is the only thing that matters.

    peace to you:praying:
     
  19. Allan

    Allan Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2006
    Messages:
    6,902
    Likes Received:
    5
    So you are postulating that before the Roman Catholic Church there was no weddings in which persons desiring marriage came before a priest to be unified? Much less that the union was also recognized as a lawful union by the states/countries in which the dwelt.

    If that be the case, then I would encourage you to read a little more history and for that matter, more scripture. Marriages were in most every sociaty viewed as spiritual and religious, and is the very reason it was over-seen by a priest of whatever God they held to or believed in. Actually, off the top of my head I can't think of one civilization, historically, that did otherwise.
     
  20. donnA

    donnA Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2000
    Messages:
    23,354
    Likes Received:
    0
    fits the qualifications people have been arguing for, they must want to allow it.
     
Loading...