2006-07-15 07:27:49 · 8 answers · asked by theagitator@sbcglobal.net 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
RITUAL, you guys, RITUAL as in "how to", a ceremony.
2006-07-15 07:41:38 · update #1
"Marriage" as a Christian sacrament, is from the Tanakh, not New Testament.
Neither the Tanakh, nor New Testament give a specific ritual. The implication is that the local customs are acceptable. By going thru the various weddings described in the Tanakh,
By going thru both the Tanakh, and New Testament, one finds descriptions of the ritual of marriage. It can be seen that marriage was both a social and economic union of two families.
The marriage rituals and customs do change according to the local culture. The implication here is that the specific rite is unimportant. What is important is that the couple are married, according to the local custom, and remain faithful to each other.
There is some evidence in the Tanakh to suggest that from God's point of view, the only required ritual is that the couple have sex. And that after the sex act, the couple were, as far as He was concerned, married, and were to remain faithful to each other. Whilst this is very much a minority position, it is worth considering as a marriage ritual given by God.
2006-07-15 10:55:43 · answer #1 · answered by jblake80856 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The XIAN gods"? Well first, there is only one Christian God.
But besides that, rituals are recognized as cultural phenomena. God knew that each culture would go about celebrating a marriage in a different manner. It's no different than worship, or anything else that God considers good, yet did not provide a ritual for. God wants us to worship him, but he doesn't want us to follow exacting rituals. He wants us to enjoy ourselves, to focus on him rather than the ritual.
2006-07-15 15:12:56 · answer #2 · answered by Tim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why a ritual? The first miracle Jesus did was at a marriage celebration.
2006-07-15 14:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isnt there? "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6).
One flesh is OT, but the let no man put assunder is NT, and used in marriage ceremonies ALL the time. And Ephisians is full of marriage commandments.
2006-07-15 14:33:01 · answer #4 · answered by sweetie_baby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
marriage ceremonies are a cultural thing, as well as religious. Also, the Gospel writers were more interested in telling the story of Jesus, and Paul was sure Christ would return soon, and discouraged people from marriage.
2006-07-15 14:32:56 · answer #5 · answered by keri gee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marriage is sacred to the Christian God, yes. However Christianity is supracultural.
2006-07-15 14:33:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because local marriage customs are specific to each culture...
Christianity is not intended to culturally replace all local cultural customs.
Cordially,
John
2006-07-15 14:31:05 · answer #7 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a right-wing political play...
Jesus would have been aghast at American conservatism
2006-07-15 14:31:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋