Why does the church adhere to society's definition of marriage?

[hviturbjorn]

Allow me to expand on my struggle to make an appropriate topic title.

There are certain requirements for marriage to be recognised in societal laws (my experience here, references UK). So, we may complete appropriate forms with the registrar, provide documents and so on and at that point, certain social “rights” are granted to the married couple.

However, as society moves farther away from Christ and implements an anti-Christian legality of what marriage is, or should be, how much longer should the church adhere to marriage requirements just for the sake of social rights?

I think what I’m asking is; why does the church not conduct its own recognition, within the church and separate itself from the social construct?

Is there a historical reason why marriage within the church adheres to non Christian believers?

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

I think what I’m asking is; why does the church not conduct its own recognition, within the church and separate itself from the social construct?

The church already does this. In the case of divorce and remarriage or same sex marriage, you could have the state and the church differing on who the spouse of an individual is.

 

[hviturbjorn]

Thank you. I wasnt aware of that.

I’m not Catholic but for the sake of forum and discussion, I do mean the Catholic church for these questions.

What about initial marriage?

Do we think such that the church would consider (or has it been?) conducting its own recognition without being connected to the state at all?

 

[JulianN]

Do we think such that the church would consider (or has it been?) conducting its own recognition without being connected to the state at all?

In many places (France, for example), it’s already disconnected. A couple marries legally and then has a Church wedding. Not every country has granted civil authority to religious officiants.