Serving God and the State
Marriage is by a State's definition a legal contract with each State requiring a license for a marriage to be legally contracted. The marriage can only be terminated by the legal process of divorce by a coutaks decree. Each State has its own defined requirements for both marriage and divorce. The States also establish the requirements as to who may act on behalf of the State as its agent by license or authorization.
Marriage is also defined by those churches who live into the catholic tradition as sacrament. For other denominations marriage is seen as a Holy Covenant mentioned by Christ in the Gospels as a relationship between a man and woman.


