Get married or move out of town!
By comedyaddict
@comedyaddict (772)
Canada
March 14, 2007 3:39pm CST
It's been a while since I've started a discussion, but I just read this article in a weekly paper and had to share it (its paraphrased since I don't feel like typing too much.. ).
Black Jack ,Missouri, has a bylaw that says a couple can't live together unless they are married. This bylaw was tested when a couple who have been together 13 years bought a house there, but was told they can't live there without being married.
My first in reading this was that it was a sick joke, but after doing a little reseach at wikipedia, it seems to be true...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Jack,_Missouri
Anyways.. what are your thought on this? If you happen to agree with peoples rights by doing this?
Thanks!
4 people like this
7 responses
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
15 Mar 07
yeah...this is pretty scary. Apparently they don't have common law marriage in this state....they don't have it in my state either. By common law marriage they would have been considered married in the eyes of the state.
People have plenty of reasons for not wanting to get married. They can range from not wanting tin inherit our partner's debt, to just fundamentally being against the institution on Marriage. I don't think the state or government should be involving themselves in people's personal relationships. In fact, I find the fact that those people can be kicked out of their home pretty darn scary.
1 person likes this
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
15 Mar 07
Trapped by your own words. In Black Jack the couple is doing something illegal. They are living together without being married. I agree it is a stupid law but it is the law.
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
I sort of realized that after I wrote that.. lol... seems crazy that living together should be illegal. I wonder whats more illegal though, an inhuman law that invades on humor rights or the fact they are living together.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
I have to post this again, shucks.
These laws can be well over 100 years old.
I love reading old laws. There is one in california where it is against the law to eat oranges in your bathtub. I would love to know the story behind that one.
1 person likes this
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
Unreal... I too, would love to know what logic went into that law. It was probably written when people shared bath water, and the acid in oranges made the soap ineffective to something..lol
@weemam (13372)
•
23 Mar 07
When I was married ( in the black and white days as Ros calls them ) we married as virgins , and living together was a real sin , but in this day and age it is accepted and people do it , I would never think any less of a person who does , live and let live is my motto , I think people should be left to do what THEY want , It is getting more like "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU the film 1984 every day , I hate it xx
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
23 Mar 07
You hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned. There are some laws that are there to help us, others like this one, helps no one. So why ban it? Big Brother certainly is watching! Thanks!
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
There are zillions of very old laws that were never changed or were never removed. The worst part is that even though for the most part they're overlooked by lawyers and judges, they are still a law, so if any of them wants they can always use them.
This is clearly the case of a law that is completely outdated and should be removed.
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
It must be an old law.... I spent a few minutes earlier trying to find what it was written, but couldn't. But even still.. I can't believe that a law like this was ever necessary...
I certainly hope it has been removed by now. Thanks for the feedback!
1 person likes this
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
There certainly are heaps of old stupid laws around, and it really does surprises me that people still try enforcing them.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
Me neither. I can't see how it would ever be needed or even more how it was ever followed.
But that one is just an example of very silly laws that were never removed.
My daughter got a book from school a few years back that was actually a summary of some of those laws that were still valid nowadays. The book was hilarious! The problems remained because they could still be used.
@sadgirl_1958 (1088)
• United States
20 Mar 07
Actually there are a number of old, outdated laws on the books in the USA. Most people here ignore them - but some times an issue will be brought up and it makes headline news. I find such a law to be very old fashioned and outdated. I am sure the couple in question were not and are not the only couple out there living out of wedlock - they just happen to be a couple where it was discovered and someone felt compelled to report it. It is unfortuate that we live in such a wealthy and educated country and yet would stoop so low.
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
23 Mar 07
OK, not sure how I missed this. Sorry sadgirl.. I agree, I'm sure they were not the only couple in that situation, and God forbid, there's probably even be a gay couple living there too ;), but I agree it is a pretty low thing to report them. What a stupid rule...
@texasmom82 (170)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I think it's morally wrong for people to live together before getting married. However, it's a person's choice and they should not be judged by it. I think the town has no right to kick someone out for that. It's a person right to live how they live, it shouldn't be a law.
1 person likes this
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
14 Mar 07
Thanks for your feedback. I agree, it is wrong that there is a bylaw for this. It should be up to the couple to make their own decisions.
1 person likes this
@Kanjana (1)
• Thailand
15 Mar 07
I think so, actually the marry is begin a couple live together.It is show the responsibilily of both to live together in the social.Has a bible says that the marry is announce to other know that they are acceptance each other and not any thing to divide them unless after the live
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
Thanks... and welcome to mylot! So you actually agree with with this law for religious reasons? Marriage is a sign 2 people are making a commitment to each other...
