What is the purpose? I am quite confused at why two people who truly love each other feel the need to prove it by getting married; why not just stay together have kids and call it a family if not that is what it is. I won't get married because I don't understand the fundemental reason behind it, at one time maybe it held more to it than taxes and a piece of paper...but anymore why the hell even bother?

because it's just something i want if I give my than I would like to be married,I believe in commitment and would feel more secure being married and would be honored to have my husband's name

true that !

it's a ritual of tradition that just about every girl dreams of.
good luck with your stance on the issue.

One lady I was talking to told me she didn't want to get married because it was against her religion. She is an Athiest. Is there a branch of Athiesm that doesn't believe in marriage? Just curious.

That is so not true. What fantasy world did you just walk out of? marige is nothing but a piece of paper that says your mine and actually in reality no one owns anyone but because you signed the paper alot will look at it as a form of control when being with somone is something freely given.

I would think that an atheist would just get married in the court house instead of church. But...I don't know.

i dont know about athiests againsts marriage. lol catchy. but i can understand the conflict with those who are and marriage in a church for example

Shadow,

She's talking about some of the ladies.

Been there done that, got the D T-shirt and would be happy living in sin if ever to occur again

TAX BREAKS!

Very few and very far away

I agree with her...it is a ritual of tradition...but I feel with most women it is a matter of respect, honor and comfort...has nothing to do with the piece of paper, but the vows that come with that piece of paper

Exactly.

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

I will agree on the part that it is tradition ,but what is the paper for knowing that most relationships last longer when you don't get married? but when you sign that paper. Alot will not last more then two years being with somone

yep. and I did say "just about every" FTR.

My parents had their 50th wedding anniversary this summer.
My grandparents reached their 60th. Quite a my few aunts and uncles are approaching their 50th. The ones that aren't are due to the loss of a loved one. I know even more people that are almost at 25 yrs.

!!! exactly !!!

Definition of Marriage...everyones opinion is Free of charge
Marriage is an institution in which interpersonal relationships (usually intimate and sexual) are acknowledged by the state or by religious authority. It is often viewed as a contract. Civil marriage is the legal concept of marriage as a governmental institution, in accordance with marriage laws of the jurisdiction. If recognized by the state, by the religion(s) to which the parties belong or by society in general, the act of marriage changes the personal and social status of the individuals who enter into it.

People marry for many reasons, but usually one or more of the following: legal, social, and economic stability; the formation of a family unit; procreation and the education and nurturing of children; legitimizing sexual relations; public declaration of love; or to obtain citizenship.[1][2]

Marriage may take many forms: for example, a union between one man and one woman as husband and wife is a monogamous heterosexual marriage; polygamy – in which a person takes more than one spouse – is common in some societies.[3] Recently, some jurisdictions[4] and denominations[5][6][7] have begun to recognize same-sex marriage, uniting people of the same sex.