About Marriage...?

Question

If the term 'marriage' supposedly gives the implication that there is religious sanctioning on the union of two people, does this mean that marriages performed by a Judge or Justices of the Peace are invalid?


Personally, I don't believe religion has the definitive say in what marriage is, who should be able to marry and just who can perform a marriage ceremony.

Your thoughts....?

Answer 1

Religion does not have definitive say in the basic definition of marriage (see Websters) but each religion seems to add their own perspective to it for followers of that faith.
Western cultures generally accept marriage as a LEGALLY sanctioned union, NOT religious (i.e. in the U.S. - or all states that I know of-- you are not LEGALLY married unless you fill out the official documents declaring it).

Answer 2

For people who are following religious traditions and consider marriage rite as sacred, the marriage performed by a Judge or a social institution is just a social formality. The real ceremony is the one performed in the church or temple, because God is invited as witness, thus the marriage vow becomes sacred and its impressions are much more deeper. For example in the Vedic culture (the most ancient culture in the Universe) , the marriage ritual is called vivaha samskara. Samskara means ritual, but also means impression. It is performed by qualified priest, who chants appropriate hymns and conducts fire sacrifice. The fire represents God and the married couple promises to live in peace and harmony, without any scope of divorce. It is said that the impressions from such a marriage last for seven lives.
Religious laws definitely say that if a man and a woman want to live togheter then they should get married at the appropriate time. Religion also says that marriage is a sacred,lasting vow, not a whimsical overnight decision which can be dissolved at any time if not going well.

Answer 3

I believe that marriage is a primarily a religious rite. Religious institutions should decide for themselves what it means to them and what the requirements are for their individual religion. But, since I view it as a religious rite, I feel that the US government has absolutely no right to issue a license for it or give penalties or boons depending upon whether a person chooses to go through this religious rite.

I see nothing wrong with the US government recognizing when people choose to join their assets in a civil union or business contract, which can be legally entered into by anyone. A civil union is not a religious rite. But I do not understand why the government has any say whatever in who may participate in a religious rite, or have any regulations about it. And why is my tax rate dependent upon whether or not I have went through the religious rite of marriage? What other religious rites will the government sanction---religious coming-of-age rituals? Will they give extra tax breaks to people who have their children christened?

I think we should leave the religious rituals to the religions and have the government only concern themselves with legal unions like civil unions and business unions.

Answer 4

Marriage existed before religions. It will continue to exist long after all religions have turned to dust. Marriage is a promise _to each other_ to share your lives and to remain monogamous.

I am a happily married man. Our wedding, and our subsequent marriage, had/has no religious overtones to it whatsoever. It's a dedication to another human being who I love more than anything else, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with religion.

It was performed by a Justice of the Peace and I dare anyone to call it 'invalid'.

Answer 5

Loooooong time ago we used to get not one but many couples without any formal relation (just called reproduction) until we got to one point when, to control our behavior some religions decided that it could be better to have just one couple. Later on we humans decided that we needed to have a "contract" based in our terrenal laws. The word to declare any of both actions was the same, "marriage" and to give a "separate meaning" we added "marriage under the laws of good" or "marriage under the laws of man".

So answering your question both are valid. But who can perform depends on the kind of marriage (god or man) and will always be the same.

Answer 6

There is no religious sanction about marriage.
It is a contract between 2 people to Live out their lives together and take care of each other.

Answer 7

Marriage is whatever is legal between a man and woman in the place that they live. God said that it should be permanant unless one of the people commits fornication and then a written paper of divorce should be given.

Answer 8

It is about the two who are in love it's about feelings and promises.

Answer 9

marrage is a commandment from god to joain a man and woman together in gods eyes is all that matters . ?

Answer 10

I think marriage itself is a stupid tradition.