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Marriage is a union formed between a man and a woman, ordained by [[God]]. Marriage is 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 have existed, such as [[polygamy]] (multiple spouses).

'''Marriage''' is a union formed between one man and one woman, ordained by [[God]]. The unity between a man and a woman in marriage is a picture or analogy of the relationship that God desires to have with his creation.

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]].

Marriage is a life-long love commitment to another person, under any circumstances. Frequently this involves a public commitment ceremony ([[wedding]]) where vows are exchanged to each other and before God. Each culture has different practices for these types of ceremonies When people do not or cannot maintain that commitment, then the marriage ends in [[divorce]].

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

 

{{cquote|Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

 

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?}}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

==Civil marriage==

==Civil marriage==

 

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.

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.  

Historically, these rights are given to ensure that if the breadwinner dies, a stay at home spouse will be able to support themself and any children from the marriage.{{fact}}

Historically, these rights are given to ensure that if the breadwinner dies, a stay at home spouse will be able to support themself and any children from the marriage.{{fact}}

Although not going as far as Holland and Belgium in making same-sex unions legal, the Scandinavian nations and the [[United Kingdom]] allow same-sex couples to gain the same benefits accrued in marriage by registering a legal commitment, although they are given fewer advantages than men and women 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 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 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>

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}}

==References==

==References==

*[[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony]], an example of a traditional marriage service

*[[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony]], an example of a traditional marriage service

[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Sociology]]

[[Category:Sociology]]