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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 union formed between a [[man]] and a [[woman]]. The word "marriage" by itself encompasses a broad range of meanings,<ref>The American Heritage dictionary definitions [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 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 follow a religious faith such as Christianity, Judaism or Islam, 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 follow a religious faith such as [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]] or [[Islam]], 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> When 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.

African-Americans were not allowed to marry in all areas of the United States until after the [[Civil War]], and mixed race couples were only allowed to marry in all areas of the US after a 1967 decision in the [[United States Supreme Court]].<ref> Virginia v Loving </ref> Before that time, 16 states prohibited interracial marriage. Disapproval of interracial relationships was long justified as divinely ordained and 1968 public opinion polls indicated that 72% of Americans disapproved of interracial marriages.

African-American marriages were not legally recognized in the [[United States]] until after the [[Civil War]], and mixed race couples were only allowed to marry in all areas of the US after a 1967 decision in the [[United States Supreme Court]].<ref> [[Virginia v Loving]] </ref> Before that time, 16 states prohibited [[interracial marriage]]. Disapproval of interracial relationships was once justified as divinely ordained and public opinion polls taken in 1968 indicated that 72% of Americans disapproved of interracial marriages.{{fact}}

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 some countries have allowed them, including [[Holland]] since April of 2001 and [[Belgium]] since January of 2003. Some conservative commentators have alleged that this 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 part of 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 which is still practiced in parts of [[Utah]].  (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).

==Civil marriage==

==Civil marriage==

Civil marriage is a legal [[contract]].  In the state constitutions of almost all states, this contract must be between one man and one woman.  It gives each member certain rights and obligations.  Most commonly, these include power of attorney, [[inheritance]] rights, sharing finances, and rights in relation to any children they may have. With the advent of no-fault divorce, most of these rights and obligations can be terminated by either party at any time for any reason.

Civil marriage is a legal [[contract]].  In the state constitutions of almost all states{{fact}}, this contract must be between one man and one woman.  It gives each member certain rights and obligations.  Most commonly, these include [[power of attorney]], [[inheritance]] rights, sharing finances, and rights in relation to any children they may have. With the advent of no-fault divorce, most of these rights and obligations can be terminated by either party at any time for any reason.

Although not going as far as Holland and Belgium in making same-sex marriage legal, the Scandinavian nations and the [[United Kingdom]] allow same-sex couples to gain benefits by registering a legal commitment, although they acquire fewer advantages than opposite-gender couples receive automatically upon marriage. [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Andorra]], [[New Zealand]] and several parts of [[Australia]] have different forms of civil union. Different names are given to civil unions in different legal jurisdictions, including civil pacts, civil partnerships, life partnerships, registered partnerships, domestic partnerships, significant relationships, reciprocal beneficiary relationships, and stable unions.  

Although not going as far as Holland and Belgium in making same-sex marriage legal, the Scandinavian nations and the [[United Kingdom]] allow same-sex couples to gain benefits by registering a legal commitment, although they are given fewer advantages than traditional couples receive automatically upon marriage. [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Andorra]], [[New Zealand]] and several parts of [[Australia]] have different forms of civil union. Different names are given to civil unions in different legal jurisdictions, including civil pacts, civil partnerships, life partnerships, registered partnerships, domestic partnerships, significant relationships, reciprocal beneficiary relationships, and stable unions.  

In the U.S. there are over a thousand federal benefits to marriage but none to same-sex civil partnerships. Couples registering same-sex relationships receive some state benefits in [[California]], [[Connecticut]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Jersey]] and [[Vermont]]. Rights accruing from same-sex marriages contracted in other states are respected in [[Rhode Island]], and some restricted benefits are available to same-sex partners in [[Hawaii]] and [[Maine]].<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm]</ref>

In the U.S. there are over a thousand federal benefits to marriage but none to same-sex civil partnerships. Couples registering same-sex relationships receive some state benefits in [[California]], [[Connecticut]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Jersey]] and [[Vermont]]. Rights accruing from same-sex marriages contracted in other states are respected in [[Rhode Island]], and some restricted benefits are available to same-sex partners in [[Hawaii]] and [[Maine]].<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm]</ref>