Do you think marriage is a legal contract or a ...........?

Question

a contract between a man, a woman, and God?

Answer 1

Man, Woman, and God

Answer 2

In a Catholic marriage is considered a sacrament, 'The Sacrament of Matrimony'. It is a covenant between a man, a woman and God.

In most other Christian churches, it's considered much the same; though, some churches nowadays have lost their way and are going against the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.

A 'marriage' by a justice of the peace is just a legal contract. They don't even mention God in the 'service'. I was at my cousin's marriage last year, and it took a whole 7 minutes and God was never mentioned even once. So in this instance, it's merely a legal contract.

Answer 3

Between a man, woman, and God. If it were just a legal contract, then what difference would it be in the contract you have on a house or on a car, or a credit card. It is much more than just a legal contract.

Answer 4

I think it is a commitment between two people regardless of religion. Yes it still is a contract any way you look at it because of the material possessions but that happened even historically...only then the man got all the woman's inheritance because she married him.

Not everyone believes in a deity so therefore marriage should not only be a religious institution.

Answer 5

not a contract. Contracts need to be signed and written.
Marriage is a covenant between a MAN and a WOMAN, endorsed by God. The only way God intended a covenant to be broken is death.
No matter what man does to recreate or redefine marriage, God says it this way.

Answer 6

It is both,,,but the contract with G-d then the legal portion of it comes second.

Spiritually it should mean that a man and a woman have the mutual respect for each other and G-d.

Legally,,,,,that is just the way today's society is.

Answer 7

In the US, you can find the following the following types of marriage:

* Marriage under California Contract;
* Marriage in Community of Property;
* Marriage out of Community of Property;

In Scotland, one used to be able to married "by Scotch Decree".

Those all define the terms and conditions for the marriage. They give specific legal rights, and specific legal obligations to each party.

In addition, one can sign a "Pre-Nuptial Agreement", if getting married in "Community of Property", or "Outside Community of Property".

All of those make it a legal contract between the man, the woman, and the state. [I won't quibble with anyone who says that "Marriage by California Contract" does not include the state as a signatory.]

Common Law marriage originated merely as a way for the state to determine who got what, in cases of property disputes. As such, it laid out some specific criteria:
* The couple must meet the requirements to be legally married to each other;
* The couple must have consented to be married to each other;
* The couple had to cohabit together;
* The couple must present themselves as being married to the general public;

The emphasis here is on property rights, and hence, can be construed as a silent contract between the wife, the husband, and the state.

Canonical Law requires a marriage to solemnized. This is done by having a priest, or other cleric administer the wedding vows, and bless the union. Each party in the union must consent to the union. If they do not, the marriage is automatically annulled.

That makes it a religious contract between the man, the woman, and God.

Hand-fasting, and other customs from the medieval and earlier period of time.
These are unions by a couple, in front of the entire community.

As such, it is a social contract between the husband, the wife, and _usually_ their families.

My personal preference is for a Solemnized "Marriage by California Contract" .

[I used quotes around the different terms, as an easy way to differentiate them. My guess is that at least two are unfamiliar to most people.]

Answer 8

Legal contract. That is the only consistent factor in marriage. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Taoist, Wiccan or whatever, marriage requires a legal contract. God has nothing to do with it.

Answer 9

it's a contract with God. when a man and woman get married, they make a contract with God, and promise to live their lives together no matter what.

Answer 10

Both.

The more important contract is the one established by God for a man and a woman. SO, even if the state or government says a husband and wife are divorced, under God's eyes, they are still married. (What God put together let no man put asunder)Therefore, choose carefully on who you marry.