‘Covenant marriage’ wrong

The Dothan (Ala.) Eagle: Proponents of a “covenant marriage” bill under consideration in the Alabama Legislature say the bill will address high divorce rates, broken families and the sort of disintegration of society’s moral fabric that seems to follow. It would give couples the option to be joined in a “covenant marriage” which requires counseling and makes divorce much more difficult to obtain.

One would think that most people approach marriage as a lark, and have no intention of living up to the vows they repeat at the altar, which, traditionally, include the phrase, “... as long as you both shall live.”

Making divorce more difficult to obtain for those in marriages that are not working won’t likely make a failing marriage stronger, and the covenant marriage option provides nothing that a couple’s determination to succeed doesn’t already. If they lack the will and desire to make the marriage work, the Alabama Legislature’s “covenant” would be just another obstacle to clear before getting on with their lives.

Rationale

The rationale behind the measure rings hollow; it almost seems like the bill is about something else entirely.

This is a bag of hot air, and should be deflated forthwith.