Äktenskap för par med samma kön Vigselfrågor - Regeringen
Äktenskap för par med samma kön Vigselfrågor - Regeringen
Äktenskap för par med samma kön Vigselfrågor - Regeringen
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SOU 2007:17 Summary<br />
Should the system of freedom of choice between a religious<br />
wedding ceremony within a religious community and a civil<br />
wedding ceremony be retained?<br />
A system of civil wedding ceremonies as such only constitutes a<br />
clearer expression of marriage as a purely civil law relationship. The<br />
fact that the Church of Sweden is now se<strong>par</strong>ated from the State,<br />
together with the general principle of the neutrality of the State on<br />
religious issues, can be presented as reasons for a religious<br />
community not being able to retain its right to represent the public<br />
in connection with entering into marriage. However, there are<br />
several reasons for opposing a transition to such a system. Among<br />
other things, public opinion on this matter should be taken into<br />
account. From the survey conducted at my request by Statistics<br />
Sweden, it is indicated that a clear majority of the public want to<br />
retain the current system. Nor have any disadvantages with the<br />
system that we have today been found. It would certainly appear<br />
very difficult for the public to understand if the present freedom of<br />
choice were removed. Moreover, such an amendment may, if it<br />
were implemented at the same time as the possibility is created for<br />
couples of the same sex to get married, have negative consequences<br />
for the general attitude towards such marriages and to homosexual<br />
people in general. For many people it would also entail repetition<br />
and possibly costs to first enter into marriage by a civil procedure<br />
and thereafter have the marriage blessed in a se<strong>par</strong>ate religious<br />
ceremony. As more than half of all marriages are entered into<br />
through religious wedding ceremonies, a transition to civil wedding<br />
ceremonies only would also involve great practical inconvenience.<br />
The loss of resources that would arise would be difficult to replace.<br />
All wedding ceremonies could not actually be dealt with within the<br />
current system for civil marriage ceremonies, and a new organisation<br />
would be required. To allow the Tax Agency to deal with all<br />
wedding ceremonies in Sweden would not be free from complication<br />
and would also be expensive for the State. In my opinion,<br />
the wishes of society to retain the current freedom of choice in<br />
addition to the practical problems that would arise in the event of a<br />
transition to civil wedding ceremonies are alone so substantial that<br />
we should, for reasons of principle, refrain from introducing<br />
mandatory civil marriage.<br />
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