[BluegrassMama]

I have shared my sinister theory on this board before but here it is....I think the Pearls have a secondary reason for objecting to marriage licenses. I think it is part of their concept of total patriarchy. Like JandSmama pointed out: the Pearls' own daughters are without protection if their husbands become abusive or whatever. Ideally in a church situation (especially in a patriarchal society like theirs) the woman's father or the elders in the church would deal with the problem. But how often is life ideal, and should she have to rely on her father and the church to support her during such a time?

How many women do we all know who have been shunned by their religious families and their churches for leaving an abusive husband

This is the kind of thing that makes me proudly admit to being a feminist. I am thankful for our laws that make it possible for a woman to leave an abusive situation (and save her children from same). In the past you just had to stay. Why anyone wants to go back to that is beyond me.