Quote Originally Posted by allodial View Post
Perhaps some insight is being requested? The word "trash" sounds like we are talking about the same thing. To Roy its 9,000 pounds of chemicals and waste he has to throw out. To Tim its baby diapers, TV dinners and left overs. The same sound, the same letters but WHOLLY different meanings in all actuality. The word 'marriage' sounds like the word used by "State actors" sounds like the word 'marriage' when utilized by others but they tend to have little or nothing to do with each other or have little or nothing to do with what is referred to as Biblical marriage.
Good point allodial.

In the best case scenario, the spouses-to-be would communicate to each other who they are, in whom they trust, and what they expect to accomplish with their marriage.
Then they would look at the different ways whereby their goals could be accomplished, and choose the way which seems best.

I believe that the outcome would be highly dependent on where the bride and groom perceive themselves to stand in relation to the Great Controversy:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. "
Ephesians 6:12

A STATE issued MARRIAGE LICENSE could be important for persons who plan on participating in Social Security, income tax, health insurance, mortgages, etc.
For people who do not plan on contracting much with the STATE at all, it would probably be best to keep the STATE out of their marital affairs.

If it is a goal of the spouses-to-be to have children, then it's even more important to carefully weigh the options. I have observed that the offspring (with BC and SSN) of legally married persons can be claimed as property by the STATE and may be confiscated by CPS and other government agencies at any time.

Since marriage is an incredibly important and far-reaching decision, and difficult to undo, it pays to do very careful research into all aspects of it.