Changes

[[Image:Bride and groom signing the book.jpg|thumb|350px]]

[[Image:Bride and groom signing the book.jpg|thumb|350px]]

'''Marriage''' is the divinely ordained union between one man and one woman, ordained by [[God]]. (Genesis 2:24)  It has been practiced as such by just about every culture across geographical locations and time. <ref> "Because there is a natural complementarity between men and women - sexual, emotional, temperamental, spiritual - marriage allows for a wholeness and a completeness that cannot be won in any other way. ([[Bill Bennett]], ''The Broken Hearth'', Page 197) </ref>

'''Marriage''' is the divinely ordained union between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24)  It has been practiced as such by just about every culture across geographical locations and time.<ref> "Because there is a natural complementarity between men and women - sexual, emotional, temperamental, spiritual - marriage allows for a wholeness and a completeness that cannot be won in any other way. ([[Bill Bennett]], ''The Broken Hearth'', Page 197) </ref>

Marriage is intended to be a life-long commitment, and typically requently this involves a public commitment (a [[wedding]]) where vows are exchanged to each other and before God.

Marriage is a life-long commitment, and typically this involves a public ceremony (a [[wedding]]) where vows are exchanged to each other and before God.

[[Dinesh D'Souza]] wrote:

[[Dinesh D'Souza]] wrote:

:Marriage requires a) two people who are b) of legal age and c) not closely related to each other who are d) one male and one female. Note that this definition excludes people who want to marry children, or guys who want to marry their sisters, or Muslims who want to take four wives, or that strange guy who wants to marry his dog.<ref> [http://townhall.com/columnists/DineshDSouza/2008/05/19/gay_rights_vs_democracy Gay Rights vs. Democracy]</ref>

:Marriage requires a) two people who are b) of legal age and c) not closely related to each other who are d) one male and one female. Note that this definition excludes people who want to marry children, or guys who want to marry their sisters, or Muslims who want to take four wives, or that strange guy who wants to marry his dog.<ref> [http://townhall.com/columnists/DineshDSouza/2008/05/19/gay_rights_vs_democracy Gay Rights vs. Democracy]</ref>

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. The first marriage occurred nearly 6,000 years ago in the [[Garden of Eden]], in the area of the world that we now know as the Ancient Near East. The first couple was Adam and Eve.

The unity between a man and a woman in marriage is an expression of the relationship that God desires to have with his creation. The first marriage occurred nearly 6,000 years ago in the [[Garden of Eden]], in the area of the world that we now know as the Near East. The first couple was Adam and Eve.

[[Bill Bennett]] wrote:

[[Bill Bennett]] wrote:

==Modern marriage licenses==

==Modern marriage licenses==

In present-day America, 'getting married' typically involves a marriage license issued by the [[state]] [[government]] or a subdivision thereof (e.g., a county). However, marriage licenses are nowhere mentioned in Scripture; in fact, they are a relatively recent innovation and originally applied only to marriages that were otherwise forbidden.<ref>Information on marriage licenses from Mercy Seat Christian Church [http://www.mercyseat.net/BROCHURES/marriagelicense.htm]</ref>

In the present-day [[United States]], 'getting married' typically involves a marriage license issued by the [[state]] [[government]] or a subdivision thereof (e.g., a county). However, marriage licenses are nowhere mentioned in Scripture; in fact, they are a relatively recent innovation and originally applied only to marriages that were otherwise forbidden.<ref>Information on marriage licenses from Mercy Seat Christian Church [http://www.mercyseat.net/BROCHURES/marriagelicense.htm]</ref>

==Attacks on the institution of marriage==

==Attacks on the institution of marriage==

Any society which lessened the sanctity of marriage has perished. Ancient Rome's decline and fall was due in no small part to a growing tolerance of extramarital sex, particularly [[homosexual acts]].  

Any society which lessened the sanctity of marriage has perished. Ancient Rome's decline and fall was due in no small part to a growing tolerance of extramarital sex, particularly [[homosexual acts]].  

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, there is no room for [[sexual intercourse]] other than between man and wife. Anything which tolerates or permits [[promiscuity]] weakens society.{{fact}}

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, there is no room for [[sexual intercourse]] other than between man and wife. Anything which tolerates or permits [[promiscuity]] weakens society.

Since the middle of the 20th century, activists have sought to destroy the societal pressures that dissuade people from engaging in extramarital sex. Removing the stigma from premarital sex, creating no-fault divorce laws, exalting adultery as "stimulating", and especially de-stigmatizing [[homosexuality]] all weaken the institution of marriage.

Since the middle of the 20th century, [[Liberalism]] has sought to destroy the societal pressures that dissuade people from engaging in extramarital and premarital sex. Removing the stigma from these behaviors, creating no-fault divorce laws, exalting adultery as "stimulating", and especially de-stigmatizing [[homosexuality]] all weaken the institution of marriage.

A recent ''Newsweek'' article complains that [[Biblical figures]] have not provided good historical examples of marriage, on the grounds that [[Abraham]] begot [[Ishmael]] by a maidservant and [[Jacob]] had [[polygamy|two wives]] and sons with both of their [[concubine|servants]]. The article also criticizes [[Jesus]] and [[St. Paul]] for remaining single. <ref>http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653/page/1</ref>

A recent ''Newsweek'' article complains that [[Biblical figures]] have not provided good historical examples of marriage, on the grounds that [[Abraham]] begot [[Ishmael]] by a maidservant and [[Jacob]] had [[polygamy|two wives]] and sons with both of their [[concubine|servants]]. The article also criticizes [[Jesus]] and [[St. Paul]] for remaining single. <ref>http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653/page/1</ref>