Subject
Marriage law -- Great Britain Books
Best books
Annie Besant
Marriage, As It Was, As It Is, and As It Should Be: A Plea for Reform
"Marriage, As It Was, As It Is, and As It Should Be: A Plea for Reform" by Annie Besant is a socio-political treatise written in the late 19th century. The book critiques the existing marriage laws and their oppressive impact on women, advocating for reform to achieve equality in marriage. Besant argues that the legal framework surrounding marriage treats women as property, stripping them of their rights and agency. The opening of the work outlines historical and philosophical perspectives on human rights, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women to attain the same rights as men. Besant discusses the evolution of marriage from a coercive and transactional institution in barbaric societies to its current state, where women still face significant legal inequalities within marriage. She attacks this system as a relic of the past, arguing that it perpetuates control and subjugation, thus calling for both legal and societal reforms to recognize marriage as a partnership of equals, devoid of the hierarchical structure that currently exists.
Mayow Wynell Mayow
Marriage with a deceased wife's sister Leviticus XVIII. 18, considered in connection with the Law of the Levirate
"Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister" by Mayow Wynell Mayow is a theological treatise written during the late 19th century. This publication is an argument centered around the legal and moral implications of allowing a man to marry his deceased wife's sister, a practice that was widely debated in the Victorian era. The author primarily engages with Scriptural texts, particularly from Leviticus, to outline his opposition to changes in marriage laws that would permit such unions, which he views as contrary to biblical edicts. In this book, Mayow Wynell Mayow addresses the controversy surrounding the proposed legislation allowing marriage with a deceased wife’s sister, articulating a detailed scriptural argument against it. Mayow emphasizes verses from Leviticus, arguing that they clearly position such marriages as incestuous and forbidden. He scrutinizes the interpretations of those advocating for the change, asserting that their readings misplace the intent and meaning of these biblical texts. Throughout his discourse, he highlights the potential moral implications and societal consequences of altering existing marriage laws, positioning his views firmly against the proposed changes while reinforcing adherence to traditional Christian doctrine.
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