What importance is marriage if you already live together and have sex with one another?

Question

More symbolic than anything else, but marriage is more of something for the religious.

Answer 1

Aside from the religious and legal aspects that have already been mentioned here, there is really something different about being married that just living together. So why DOESN'T everyone just get married? Money? A wedding may be expensive, but a trip to the judge is not. Why do people say, they're not ready? Ready for what?

Answer is, they know that it is a deeper commitment. It is more than having sex and living together. You are bound as one. You turn your back on the possibility of seeing other people. You have to think about the future as one, including planning kids, handling money, etc.

The possibility of divorce? Sure. Which makes going into marriage a serious decision. Again, real love and commitment is needed here.

And if you are really planning to have a family, you should get married to get the most legal benefits for your spouse and your children. If you really love them this is the only right thing to do.

Answer 2

No, it really isn't something more for the religious. I've known many people who lived together for years before marrying, and they all say that it is an incredible change.

No matter how committed to their relationship they thought they were beforehand, it was nothing to how they felt after the wedding ceremony. They might not have ever considered leaving each other before, but admit that it was always in the back of their minds that they could walk away anytime the whim took them - and so could their partner. That if something just wasn't working, they could end it and move on. Officially committing themselves to each other in marriage gave both of them a sense of security that they were lacking before, and the knowledge that they would both try everything possible to correct anything that went wrong, was a strengthening aspect of their new relationship. It brought them even closer together.

So, it isn't just religious, and it isn't just a piece of paper. It is what the ceremony and that piece of paper represent and manifest that is the important thing. Yes, it is symbolic, but you'll never fully realize the depths of what it symbolizes until you've made that commitment and those promises, and done everything you can to honor them.

Answer 3

For those that are religious, there is a definate importance on marriage. However, I would argue that devout religious people would not be living together having sex. However, for those that are not religious, it's probably more of a cultural thing. First of all most people do get married and it's the norm. People feel more like they belong if they get married. The second reason is tax benefits. Without them there would be a lot fewer married people. There would be more partners who lived together.

Answer 4

Symbolism is what's important for most people, but there are legal implications - such as being able to make medical decisions for your spouse when they are incapable, inheritance laws, benefits through your workplace.

To go a little beyond your questions: In the gay marriage battle, it is about 1. having the right to legally join together with the person you love and get those legal benefits and 2. refuting the idea that there is something wrong with being gay.

Answer 5

I view marriage as more symbolic than important. It symbolizes the willingness to make a life long commitment and make that commitment known officially to everyone. So, although I don't view it as important in itself, it's important in a symbolic way. It's something I would like my bf and I to do once we are out of college. Plus, he's an only child and I know his mom would like to see him get married.

Answer 6

You asked your question backward.

What importance does living together and having sex have without marriage?

None. It's just lust fulfillment and a huge opportunity for shattered hopes and dreams.

In the big picture of life, what's the point?

Where there's no committment, there's no effort put forth to build each other up, develop character or build a life together.

I guarantee you'll end up no more emotionally mature at 60 than you were at 16.

Don't waste your life.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke 9:24 KJV

Answer 7

Absolutely! If there is no covenant between the man and woman, and no hope for allowing God to create the life He needs in the world through the marriage love, then civil marriage is simply a legal transaction to protect monetary assets.

Sacramental marriage is much deeper and more permanent.

Answer 8

marriage is also for economic reasons such as financial stability. But, the most important thing is bringing babies to life. they need a stable family, so marriage is important for this matter mostly.

the religious aspect is obvious, but few people actually take it seriously. For me, being a successful couple and not considering marriage seems like a big mistake. socially, kids wise, and religiously

Answer 9

I, too believe that a real commitment doesn't need a ceremony. However, it does come down to the right to make decisions for your partner, financially and even where you choose to live. In some places, co-habitation is frowned upon. I would think long and hard and have some discussion about it. Often you can't get medical benefits unless legally married. Good Luck.

Answer 10

There are over 1,000 federal rights granted to spouses in the US that are not granted to live-ins or domestic partners. Rights you can only get by being married.

It's not symbolic at all - marriage is a LEGAL contract.

And to Azazel - in the US, there are only a handful of states that recognize "common law" marriage, and all of them have a specific set of criteria that must be met to qualify. There is no "magic number of years and poof you're married".