Changes

'''Premarital sex''' is sex that occurs prior to marriage. It has been argued that "Previous sexual experience with a partner weakens mutual commitment in [[marriage]] and creates an unstable foundation for the conjugal relationship." [http://www.unification.org/the_blessing.html] Jim Duley notes that in the past, premarital sex did not exist:

'''Premarital sex''' is sex that occurs prior to marriage. It has been argued that "Previous sexual experience with a partner weakens mutual commitment in [[marriage]] and creates an unstable foundation for the conjugal relationship." [http://www.unification.org/the_blessing.html] Jim Duley notes that in the past, premarital sex did not exist:

{{quotation|[F]or much of Jewish and Christian history having sex was one of the ways you GOT married in the first place. Civil [[marriage license]]s were invented quite recently (beginning in the 17th century). Only the wealthy had "[[wedding]]s" in the sense we have them today. People simply moved in together (the bride went to live with the groom's family) -- sometimes with ritual and sometimes without any at all. The obsession in some cultures with the [[virginity]] of the bride has real roots in determining whether she was not "already married" -- that is, the "possession" of another man "acquired" by sexual intercourse.<br/><br/>

{{quotation|[F]or much of Jewish and Christian history having sex was one of the ways you got married in the first place. Civil [[marriage license]]s were invented quite recently (beginning in the 17th century). Only the wealthy had "[[wedding]]s" in the sense we have them today. People simply moved in together (the bride went to live with the groom's family) -- sometimes with ritual and sometimes without any at all. The obsession in some cultures with the [[virginity]] of the bride has real roots in determining whether she was not "already married" -- that is, the "possession" of another man "acquired" by sexual intercourse.<br/><br/>

In the early part of the Christian Era, Jewish scholars compiled the [[Talmud]], a foundation of Jewish law. In the Talmud it is clear there were three ways to solemnify a marriage: by contract (between families generally), by gift or by sex. As early Christianity is deeply tied to Judaism, it us likely that early Christians had similar practices, since the Talmud generally reflected what was going on already. It didn't create new customs or laws for the most part.<br/><br/>

In the early part of the Christian Era, Jewish scholars compiled the [[Talmud]], a foundation of Jewish law. In the Talmud it is clear there were three ways to solemnify a marriage: by contract (between families generally), by gift or by sex. As early Christianity is deeply tied to Judaism, it us likely that early Christians had similar practices, since the Talmud generally reflected what was going on already. It didn't create new customs or laws for the most part.<br/><br/>