Marriage was a governmental and societal institution long before it was religious. To say it is necessarily a union that god created is not true. Every society everywhere, regardless of the presence or absence of religions beliefs, has had marriage.

I understand the importance of some people to be married in a church, “before god”, but to say that marriage in and of itself is some sort of religions institution is not true.

Marriage is a union God created. Therefore, it’s a lot more than simply signing some form. It’s supposed to be till death do you part. So, those celebs who like/lust/stongly care for each other…may not feel confident enough in their relationships to commit to a lifetime together with the other person. A lifetime is a long time! lol I can’t blame them.

However, I do feel that if he/she is not good enough to marry…why in the world would they be good enough to have and raise your children?

I don’t care if someone calls believing in marriage as the fundmental unit of society “old fashioned.” I will err on the side of thousands of years of history than just the past couple decades.

Cammom77: That might be the case in the US, but in many other countries marriage is not needed for all those things. That it is in the US just shows how old fashioned the US in regards to relationships.

Why not het married if you are in a comitted relationship anyway? Because it’s expensive, unnecesary and it doesn’t add anything to the relationship.

camom77 –

I’m not sure what the laws are in America, but defacto relationships in Aus have the same legal rights as married couples. However, not all same-sex couples have access to those rights, so I agree that it needs to be extended further.

UggaMugga.com – you’re absolutely right. It’s great that we can all make the choice for ourselves

And, I can’t believe I’ve replied 4 times to a post about Mark Wahlberg. I don’t even really like the guy!

Lucy, I agree with all your posts.

I respect people’s views on what is right for themselves and why they made some decisions for themselves, but let’s not all assume that what is right for you is right for everyone. Lots of people choose not to get married and maintain life long committed relationships. Lots of people don’t *believe* in marriage. Just because it’s a very old institution does not mean its always the right choice.

The reverse of “For those who think a commitment and marriage with a piece of paper are the same thing, why NOT get married?” is why GET married if you already have the commitment in the relationship?

Mark also never said they waited to see if the relationship “would last”, he said the word “succeed”. Lots of marriages last, not so many can be deemed as successful.

I wish them luck, in whatever decision they make.

@ camom77
dont know how it is in other countries, but in the netherlands you can get a contract for living together.. dont know how its called in english.. or a registred partnership.

With this you do have legal power if something would happen.

I dont see myself getting married, i just dont like all that stuff and i dont think it adds something to your relationship.

Lucy:

I made the comment because he states that he wants to get married, if he didn’t want to get married, then people wouldn’t be commenting about it because a committed relationship with children is very normal these days. He is saying that he wants to marry when he feels, it will last, and my arguement is why would you have children in a relationship, that your not sure will last weather your married or not. And I don’t think all three babies are oops babies.

As they say to each their own, but I just was put off by his reasoning.

For all of those who think marriage is nothing, you obviously haven’t ever had to deal with the fact that your partner, in case of illness, you don’t get to make decisions in the hospital. He/she dies, you don’t get to make the arrangements. He/she dies you don’t get the government benefits. You are legally a nobody. Sure you might have had kids together, but that means nothing if they aren’t of age. His/her parents get to do everything and you have nothing. Marriage is legal power. Why do you think gays and lesbians are fighting to get it? Because we want a huge fancy costly reception? No because we want that legal power.

Lucy, I’m not one who does think that a committed relationship between a man and a women equals marriage…that was why I made my original comment. I know some do, but my point was why the hesitation then…and you’ve explained your side, which I respect. But it seems a lot think it’s just a piece of paper and it’s much, much more! At least to this married lady…who isn’t her husband’s property, by the way.

We have different beliefs and are free to have them…that’s one of the major beauties of America! Happy Flag Day!