Question for sexuality and sociology class. Why did church take over marriage institution in the middle ages?

In the middle ages the church ruled the State. It was the collector of taxes and controlled births, deaths and marriages.

That way it controlled the population and kept all the records.

It also made all the rules in society.

In other words the church was the government and kept the people ignorant and uneducated.

It was not until the advent of printing in th 16th century made education more available, that people began to question the church and the real separation of churchand state began.

How about human rights? A civil partnership dose not contain all the legal rights of marriage, hence complaints arise. Besides, not upholding civil rights sort of goes against the moral fabric of this country (Assuming that you live in the united states) what was founded by democracy. Democracy is by the people, not by some of the people. The negative side of this argument is that some consider it controversial and against their moral upbringing. So mass protest will probably arise. Not to mention the number of people who find homosexuality unnatural is still a high one. Personally, the only logical solution i find is to push for equal rights legally while the population slowly begins to accept homosexuality more. Giving the time period of the moral upbringings and the average lifespan of Americans, i would say that equality should be reached in about 49 years at the latest.

You said it. That is the only answer. Any religious institution or body takes control of personal and family activities to have better control. They take control of post-death, child-birth etc. also with the same intention. When the concept of God is induced into these, people comply out of 'fear of God'. Other religions are also good examples with probably the exception of Hinduism.

The first rules of marriage, what it is about and who it is for were given by God to the Jewish people after they left Egypt. ( I believe it's in Deuteronomy) Being that the God of Abraham is recognized as The main religious Deity, in the three major religions, it seems only natural that the church would "Take over the jurisdiction of marraige", as you put it. God created us, He has the right to say what marriage is and what it isn't.

A. They could charge money .

B. They could prevent Christians from marrying non-Christians .

C. Ceremonies , celebrations , etc. keep people involved in the church and with other chuch goers .

D. They could prevent couples from divorcing and thereby keep any of their children within the fold of the church .