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'''Marriage''' is a form of interpersonal relationship; a kind of social contract. The word "marriage" by itself encompasses a broad range of meanings,<ref>The American Heritage dictionary includes legal marriage between a man and a woman, common-law marriage, and same-sex marriage[http://www.bartleby.com/61/2/M0120200.html]</ref> but it is often short for ''Christian marriage'' or ''holy matrimony,'' which is ordained by God and considered a [[sacrament]] by [[Roman Catholics]][http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm] (but not most [[Protestant]] denominations).  In a few times and places, other forms existed, such as [[polygamy]] (multiple spouses) and [[homosexuality#Homosexuality and Marriage|homosexual]] marriage (two people of the same sex).

'''Marriage''' is a form of interpersonal relationship; a kind of social contract. The word "marriage" by itself encompasses a broad range of meanings,<ref>The American Heritage dictionary includes legal marriage between a man and a woman, common-law marriage, and same-sex marriage[http://www.bartleby.com/61/2/M0120200.html]</ref> but it is often short for ''Christian marriage'' or ''holy matrimony,'' which is ordained by God and considered a [[sacrament]] by [[Roman Catholics]][http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm] (but not most [[Protestant]] denominations).  In a few times and places, other forms existed, such as [[polygamy]] (multiple spouses) and [[homosexuality#Homosexuality and Marriage|homosexual]] marriage (two people of the same sex).

In most cultures, marriage is regarded as a life-long commitment to another person, under any circumstances. Frequently this involves a public commitment ceremony (called a wedding) to each other and, if the participants are Christian, before God.<ref>[http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/marriage/marriage.html The Marriage Service], ''The Church of England'', Retrieved 20 March 2007</ref> Unfortunately, sometimes people do not or cannot maintain that commitment, and the marriage ends in [[divorce]].

In most cultures, marriage is regarded as a life-long commitment to another person, under any circumstances. Frequently this involves a public commitment ceremony (called a [[wedding]]) to each other and, if the participants are Christian, before God.<ref>[http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/marriage/marriage.html The Marriage Service], ''The Church of England'', Retrieved 20 March 2007</ref> Unfortunately, sometimes people do not or cannot maintain that commitment, and the marriage ends in [[divorce]].

In most countries, married couples are treated as a single economic entity, and when one partner dies, the other may inherit all of their property in a simpler system than would be required without the marriage.

In most countries, married couples are treated as a single economic entity, and when one partner dies, the other may inherit all of their property in a simpler system than would be required without the marriage.

Same-sex couples are not allowed to marry in many areas of the world, although this restriction was lifted in April 2001 by [[Holland]] and January 2003 by [[Belgium]], which some conservative commentators have claimed is causing the destruction of traditional marriage in those countries.<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/kurtz/kurtz200602280810.asp]</ref>  By the end of 2004, same-sex marriage was legal in most [[Canadian]] provinces and in the [[Yukon]] and is now enshrined in Canadian federal law C-38. <ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm]</ref> Same-sex marriage is also legal in [[Spain]] and [[South Africa]].

Same-sex couples are not allowed to marry in many areas of the world, although this restriction was lifted in April 2001 by [[Holland]] and January 2003 by [[Belgium]], which some conservative commentators have claimed is causing the destruction of traditional marriage in those countries.<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/kurtz/kurtz200602280810.asp]</ref>  By the end of 2004, same-sex marriage was legal in most [[Canadian]] provinces and in the [[Yukon]] and is now enshrined in Canadian federal law C-38. <ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm]</ref> Same-sex marriage is also legal in [[Spain]] and [[South Africa]].

==Marriage in the Bible ==

==Marriage in the [[Bible]] ==

The [[Old Testament]] clearly allows polygyny.  (Gen. 4:19, Gen. 16:1-4, Gen. 26:34, Gen. 32:32, Exodus 21:10, Dt. 21:15, Judges 8:30, I Sam 1:1-2, II Sam 12:7-8, I Kings 11:2-3, I Chron. 4:5, II Chron. 11:21, II Chron. 13:21, II Chron 24:3.)  This is less common, but never outlawed, in the New Testament.

The [[Old Testament]] clearly allows polygyny.  (Gen. 4:19, Gen. 16:1-4, Gen. 26:34, Gen. 32:32, Exodus 21:10, Dt. 21:15, Judges 8:30, I Sam 1:1-2, II Sam 12:7-8, I Kings 11:2-3, I Chron. 4:5, II Chron. 11:21, II Chron. 13:21, II Chron 24:3.)  This is less common, but never outlawed, in the New Testament.

The Old Testament allows for the purchase of wives (Gen. 29:18, I Sam. 18:25-27).

The [[Old Testament]] allows for the purchase of wives (Gen. 29:18, I Sam. 18:25-27).

The clearest description of marriage in the Bible comes from I Corinthians 7:1-16:

The clearest description of marriage in the Bible comes from I Corinthians 7:1-16:

==Christianity==

==Christianity==

In most branches of Christianity, marriage is a life-long religious union between a man and a woman. However, many Christian groups claim that [[celibacy]] is more holy than marriage, and some, such as the Shakers, have gone so far as to prohibit marriage.

In most branches of [[Christianity]], marriage is a life-long religious union between a [[man]] and a [[woman]]. However, many Christian groups claim that [[celibacy]] is more holy than marriage, and some, such as the [[Shakers]], have gone so far as to prohibit marriage.

==Mormonism==

==Mormonism==

Islam allows [[Muslim]] men to have up to four wives. The [[Qu'ran]] says(4:3): "Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one." <ref>http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ISLAM/QURAN.HTM</ref>

Islam allows [[Muslim]] men to have up to four wives. The [[Qu'ran]] says(4:3): "Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one." <ref>http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ISLAM/QURAN.HTM</ref>

Before Islam, it was common for a man to have many wives. The limit of four imposed by Islam was a way of controlling the situation. A Muslim may marry up to four women only on condition he deals justly with all of them. For example, he must provide each with separate living accommodation. Since this is difficult, most Muslim men in practice do not have more than one wife.

Before [[Islam]], it was common for a man to have many wives. The limit of four imposed by Islam was a way of controlling the situation. A Muslim may marry up to four women only on condition he deals justly with all of them. For example, he must provide each with separate living accommodation. Since this is difficult, most Muslim men in practice do not have more than one wife.

The reason for allowing multiple wives was for the welfare of widows and orphans. Muslim men are required to be financially responsible for the members of their family, and this was a way of ensuring that there was somebody to take responsibility for widows' and orphans' welfare.

The reason for allowing multiple wives was for the welfare of widows and orphans. Muslim men are required to be financially responsible for the members of their family, and this was a way of ensuring that there was somebody to take responsibility for widows' and orphans' welfare.

It also allowed for a man who wished to father children to take another wife if his first wife was barren, and allowing the first wife to choose whether to continue in the marriage. A Muslim man is not allowed to marry another woman without the knowledge and consent of his wife, and the wife has the right to ask for divorce if she does not agree.<ref>http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/spot_full_story.asp?service_id=795</ref>

It also allowed for a man who wished to father children to take another wife if his first wife was barren, and allowing the first wife to choose whether to continue in the marriage. A Muslim man is not allowed to marry another woman without the knowledge and consent of his wife, and the wife has the right to ask for [[divorce]] if she does not agree.<ref>http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/spot_full_story.asp?service_id=795</ref>

==Civil marriage==

==Civil marriage==