Dear JohnInKansas,

I know you DID say, it was only a 'partial answer', but...

I so rarely get the chance to argue with you over any of your pronouncements, that I just gotta jump in here... :-)

While what you have said is spot on, long before that, people organised their own 'civil ceremonies; weddings, burials, comings of age, etc.

The Roman Catholic Church then bullied its way in and took over all the 'significant civil ceremonies', as it gradually got its tentacles in, long before 'The New World' was invaded...