Marriage is just making a promise to another person in the presence of witnesses. The government part just ensures certain rights and protections, particularly involving health and money.
I have no idea why religion would need to be involved. It’s not involved in mine.
It all depends on the exact definitions to be used. Is a village chieftain a government? Can a 50 person cult be considered organized religion? It’s pretty much impossible to be sure, since those things probably predate written records and marriage has definitely existed since before writing. In either case it’s pretty silly to blame modern governments or religions for the existence of marriage.
I’m not a historian, but I wouldn’t be surprised if marriage existed before governments
Government, church same difference (unfortunately very true in more countries than I’d hope 🤢).
Pretty sure marriage predates organized religion.
Is that a feeling or are you thinking of something specifically?
Probably dates back to the dawn of agriculture.
No need for contracts until the invention of property.
Check Wikipedia “History of marriage”
Marriage is just making a promise to another person in the presence of witnesses. The government part just ensures certain rights and protections, particularly involving health and money.
I have no idea why religion would need to be involved. It’s not involved in mine.
Governments predate churches
Christian churches sure but if we’re talking goverments vs organised religion not sure …
It all depends on the exact definitions to be used. Is a village chieftain a government? Can a 50 person cult be considered organized religion? It’s pretty much impossible to be sure, since those things probably predate written records and marriage has definitely existed since before writing. In either case it’s pretty silly to blame modern governments or religions for the existence of marriage.