All unmarried couples living together in Florida potentially face jail time

[teko]

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/all-unmarried-couples-living-together-in-florida-face-jail-time


10/27/11


Faith organizations want law to stay

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A Florida Representative wants to repeal a state law that makes it illegal for unmarried couples to live together.

The statute, which dates back to the 1800’s, is a second degree misdemeanor that bans couples for cohabitating. Last year 550,000 unmarried Florida couples filled out their census forms indicating they lived together.

Under the current law, an unmarried couple caught living together can face 60 days in jail and a 500 dollar fine.

Rep. Ritch Workman who represents Melbourne says if the law isn’t being enforced, then the state should take it off the books. However, members of several faith organizations think the government should be a stronger supporter of marriage.


Read more: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/all-unmarried-couples-living-together-in-florida-face-jail-time#ixzz1bzyYAAMA

[teko]

I dunno about it not happening in florida. We got Rick Scott the Medicaid fraudster to the tune of 60 mil. Isnt that what he put towards his campaign to become governor? So never say never! It CAN happen in florida! lol

[brice1967]

Couldn't have said it better, except that I am not Christian.  Stuff like this is ridiculous.  I've said it quite a few times on this board, but this is exactly what I mean be keeping ones religion out of my politics.  In fact, if a Christian actually sat and talked with this guy for an hour or two, I bet they'd find plenty of difference between theirs and his beliefs.

[cleaninitup]

It is still illegal to sleep naked in Minnesota and I'm not worried about being caught lol. There are a huge amount of laws still on the books in all states from the 1800's and every once in awhile someone will pull one out and start being the moral police. It won't happen in Florida, law enforcement also know its a waste of resources and money.

[teko]

So I wonder if this includes all those seniors here, living with their loved one because if they marry them, they lose all their benefits. I just cannot get my head around all this stupid extreme BS. They are going to make people hate christianity, you watch!

[adgal]

Well said AHP.  You know what I find kind of incredible about this?  I hear politicians and others talking all the time about how repressed people are in the Middle East where most of the countries are ruled according to religious law.  In those countries, it is illegal for men and women to live together unmarried, or to be openly gay, etc.  Yet these same people seem to think it's ok to have a country dominated by Christian law and force people into the same repressive lifestyle.  I am a proud Christian, but agree...my faith should not rule others.  It completely goes against our belief that people should be free to make their own choices.  

[AHP84]

Yeah, good luck repealing this law. Won't happen. And it's ridiculous to try to enforce.

I, for one, wouldn't want my tax dollars supporting someone in jail for 60 days because they lived with their partner. There are more important things on which to focus, like...people committing REAL crimes.
I'm a Christian and I'm all for supporting a heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman. But you can't use your personal faith to enforce how people live their personal lives. Faith is supposed to be used to influence people, not dominate them.