Were Adam and Eve married when they were sexually active?

Question

So, the Catholic faith disagrees with sex before marraige. But did marriage even exist when Adam and Eve started reproducing? Were there priests back then to do it?? And if they weren't married, how can the church say it was OK back then and not now?

I have done a lot of studying on faith as social control (more in older European society). Churches used to force religion on people, and those who did not follow were punished. Do you think that this 'rule' of no sex before marriage was imposed by the church in order to control society (their sexual activity, birth rates, etc?) Or do you really think it stems back to Jesus Christ?

Mature answers please! And no mean ones either! lol... I am just really curious as to what people think about this whole issue...

Answer 1

Firstly it's a fable, but if God supposedly made them for each other, I would call that a marriage.

Answer 2

As a Catholic, I know the RC Church teaches that in marriage, priests do not marry persons--they marry each other. That is, the person through whom Jesus bestows grace in a marriage is through one spouse to the other (and vice-versa, of course!). Also, this grace does not just happen once at the wedding ceremony--God allows helps this couple with His grace throughout their marriage to one another.
The priest is sort of the official Church witness at a marriage--his role is important, but if there is no priest available (like, you're on a desert island with no means of escaping.....or you are Adam or Eve), his absence does not make the sacrament invalid. In the case of Adam and Eve, living perfectly in harmony as they did with God prior to the fall, God Himself was their official Church witness!
Also, recall that their story is a symbolic one. It is not generally accepted by the RC Church as being "historically accurate" and it is NEVER interpreted as a historical account of what truly happened. That is, in general, a fundamental Protestant interpretation.
As for no sex before marriage, St. Paul talks about this several times in many of his letters. Premarital sex used to be called "fornication," but I don't think those that practiced it felt comfortable with this "label" so they generally preferred the term "premarital sex." Call it what you will, the Bible AND the Church are pretty clear about what God teaches with regards to this practice.
Thanks for reading and God Bless!

Answer 3

Interestingly the book of Genesis in The Holy Bible is VERY similar to ancient text uncovered in Mesopotamia, from the Ancient Sumerians. These text are believed to be thousands of years older than the Bible scrolls. According to the Sumerians, Gods from the sky created Adam and Eve through genetic alteration of neanderthal men. (thus the reason the gap between Neanderthal man and homo-sapiens have never been found). Basically the Sumerians spell it out, where the Bible leaves it out. They say that the Apes where bred with Nephilim and thus Adam and Eve Where created. Many "Adam and Eves" where created. But like a Mule, (a cross between a donkey and a horse) these cross breeds could not procreate. It wasn't until they perfected the race could they actually breed and multiply.

Answer 4

Sex is a great rejuvinator. It is also ultimate in physical pleasure.When should one have sex? There was, as far as I know, no rule that marriage is a must before sex in times of Adam and Eve. As per scriptures in vedic philosophy, the institution of marriage is as old as 3000 years BC. Norms are developed in society after a lot of experience. Our elders in their wisdom have recommended that it is best to have sex only after marriage. This custom is, almost strictly observed in the East.This is the reason there is stability in families and divorce rate and problems of children left uncared consequent to a divorce is almost non-existent in Eastern societies. Marriage also attaches certain amount of sanctity to husband and wife relationship. It serves to give a stable family and makes it a well-knit unit. For example in India in a village down south it is almost inconceivable that a young girl will mix with men freely and think of sex. She is under strict parental controls and married off after the match is arranged by parents at the age 20-25. Generally these arranged marriages have stood the test of times. Now the Western culture is gradually gripping the society in the East also. Divorce rates of 5% are not uncommon. In cities we have some cases of couples living with each other also. But these are few and far between, as yet. This is the price we all have to pay for the concept of globalization.

Answer 5

You'll find it hard to argue that the Bible can be used to control birth rates when it commands us to "be fruitful and multiply". God gave us laws governing sexual acts for our own good. If you think about it they aren't that arbitrary at all. They prevent the spread of disease, allow for a structured stable family unit, and give the married pair something they share and have never and will never share with anyone else.

There is a curious correlation between the acceptance of premarital sex and the rising divorce rate.

Answer 6

Marriage is a contract, an agreement invented by the society, in that time there were no contracts at all.

There were no "rules" about sex before marriage or things like that.

How come you are SO WORRIED about sex and religion at the same time ?

There are a lot of better things to be curious about religion than this, don't you think ?

Answer 7

Yes! Genesis 2:24-25 For this reason the man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked and felt no shame. (NIV) It goes on to say "the man and his wife" several more times in reference to Adam and Eve, I am not sure that the word marriage is used since it was unlikely that there was a ceremony for them but it is very clear that they were indeed married. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Religions are all a form of mind control. They were formed in order to get people to conform to a line of thinking. As you grow older, you should learn to make your own decisions. As for sex before marriage, most religions appose that because of the problem it causes with the children who are being born into a one parent family or who are abandoned.

Answer 9

if you read the bible you will also see that adam and eve where in fact the first people to indulge in incest is the bible saying that its ok for incest.

it states that adam bore too sons cain and abele. these sons took themselves wifes. it doesnt say where these wifes came from only states that adam and eve bore many children. so it must have been that cain and abele where in fact reproducing with there own siblings. is this the reason why there are so deformatives at birth.
makes you wonder ? x

Answer 10

Before you believe that everything the church says is fact. Look at history and see how the Church has changed over the course of time. The Church has a history of power and control so take it all with a grain of salt.

Answer 11

well Eve was presented to Adam as his partner by God Himself..i believe God would have considered them married before sexual activity .. even though He did not first OK it with the catholic church..
I personally believe that we are United as husband and wife when we decide that as a couple ..not when some religious organization decides that for us..but i also believe when a separation happens in that relationship it is also considered divorce in Gods eyes as well..
i believe the rule was placed into effect by God himself.. and once you take that step of commitment you are married in Gods site .. now lts our responsibility to live with that step we took ..