Religion: The Purpose of Marriage

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Charles Baxter of London, England were married in 1934. For ten years they lived together in a connubial state that Mr. Baxter decided was unsatisfactory: Mrs. Baxter consistently refused to have sexual intercourse with him unless he used a contraceptive.

Mr. Baxter, who wanted children, finally told his troubles to the British courts. He asked for an annulment of his marriage on grounds of non-consummation.

He fought. his case to the last and highest court of all—the House of Lords. The Lords, represented by five peers of the realm, turned Mr. Baxter down. Parliament, they said,...

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