Religion and Opposite-Sex Marriage

Abstract

This chapter begins the discussion of the current position on how adult intimate relationships are governed by the law of England and Wales with particular reference to how it affects religion. It examines the legal regulation of opposite sex marriage, placing the current law as found in the Marriage Act 1949 within its historical context to explore why the Church of England has been placed in a special legal position and why the current position of other religious weddings is often misunderstood. Given these misunderstandings, this chapter will begin with a discussion of the current law before placing this within its historical context.