How did the State begin to marry couples?

Hey guys. I wanna know how churches lost their exclusive right to marry couples as well as what it took for the State to begin marrying couples. Specifically, I'm looking for influences on American civics and culture, but any precursors to American efforts to separate church and state with the ceremony and legality of marriage is fine.





My argument deals with how gay and lesbian couples shouldn't be allowed to get married because I don't believe the State should be allowed to marry couples.





Thx guys!How did the State begin to marry couples?
Since the government was formed, marriage was conducted by officials in order to legitimize couples that have no religion due to the freedom of not joining a religion and separation of state from church.

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