Another quote from an answer about homosexuals marrying: "Marrying someone is putting ones stamp on their marriage saying that they are ready to serve God." Is marriage about serving God. Should atheists be barred from marriage? What about people from other religions who get married?
Most importantly, what makes atheists, people from other religions, etc. participating in a ceremony that requires approval from God OK to get married while homosexuals can't?
2006-10-19 11:03:00 · 17 answers · asked by angk 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ivyvine: I know. I just want the perspective of those who believe every marriage is/should be God-sanctioned.
2006-10-19 11:05:32 · update #1
I am aware of legality. I just want to know, from basically a Christian perspective, how the two are different. If two atheists get married, they're certainly not respecting God's covenant made between them, are they?
2006-10-19 11:11:03 · update #2
Adding my two cents: those who said that marriage was for procreation also should support banning marriages that involve a person who is unable to conceive.
2006-10-19 11:14:11 · answer #1 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hope some religious people really think about the question you're asking. It will be interesting to see how many declare marriages between non-religious people invalid.
Marriage is a legal and economic contract between two people. It doesn't require that either participant be religious--though, if they are, they are certainly free to invest the contract and the ceremony enacting it with any spiritual or religious significance they wish. But marriage is not necessarily a religious union.
2006-10-19 18:08:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Marriage is an institution created and ordained by God. However the quote you used about it being a "stamp" is completely ludicrous, God did not create marriage as exclusive to "believers" and therefore all marriages are not a statement of the couples "readiness" to serve God.
The argument and objection to "same sex" marriages is not about two people living together or anything like that, the problem is with the title of marriage being applied to same sex couples, as marriage is originally God's idea and permitting those who fly in the face of His wishes to be considered taking part in the institution of marriage.
Create a different title or stick with the original "civil unions" and let them have their tax breaks, nobody cares God gave us free will, but allow them to be labeled as married and all "hell" breaks loose.
2006-10-19 18:10:49 · answer #3 · answered by berg 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
When I was in college & seminary, the question came up several times, "Does God recognize the marriage of non-believers?" Marriage is both a civil/legal institution and a Biblical institution. There are several partial answers and very few specifics in scripture. I thnk that in Biblical terms, it is meaningless since a non-believer will not be acceptable to God whatever the status of their marriage.
2006-10-19 18:05:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Great question! Actually, no. The creator God, the one who created a woman for the man who desired her so, helps marriages stay together by giving the power for forgiveness and self improvement. But the term, "civil ceremony," is for people who just want the government to recognize their existence as "a couple." And that's why the issue of "gay marriage" is something that people vote about. They're voting how the government is going to relate to the couple, not what God is or isn't going to do. God does whatever He wants to. Obey Him or not and take your chances!
2006-10-19 18:09:52 · answer #5 · answered by shirleykins 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Marriage is a religious institution from God, and God called homosexuality an abomination.
Why would atheists want to take part in something from God when they don't believe in Him?
Allowing homosexual marriages causes the standards of society to lower. So, why should we, the majority of society who do not accept homosexuality as 'normal' (yes we are the majority), submit to the wishes of the liberal left minority?
2006-10-19 18:10:57 · answer #6 · answered by The Question Man 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There are two institutions of marriage in the US, one is secular and one is religious, and we can see this from any typical wedding ceremony. There are two steps to getting married, in the first, the bride and groom sign a legally binding contract that is witnessed by a government official (note: power vested in me by the STATE) and filed with their county government. In the second step, a religious official or social figure of their choice blesses the union.
The secular marriage is a contract that grants a couple rights recognized by the law, everything from tax breaks to visitation rights in hospitals. In my opinion, it is unconstitutional to exclude any group from these rights. If particular religions don't want to recognize the union of certain groups, that's their prerogative, but given that the US has a policy of separation of church and state, religious organizations shouldn't be setting secular policy.
2006-10-19 18:08:30 · answer #7 · answered by lcraesharbor 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Marriage as defined by a country is a legal agreement between 2 people. That's the part I'm interested in.
Different religions have different ideas about what marriage is and I don't care about any of them.
2006-10-19 18:06:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Marriage was invented because back in time, thousands of years ago, when you owned huge lands and property, you don't want to give it just to anyone after you die, you want to give it to someone related to you. But you don't know who's related to you. People invented marriage because of economy. Marriage has nothing to do with love, or God.
And actually you can bar me from marriage if you want to, you'll still be the loser. Marriage only destroys love.
2006-10-19 18:14:05 · answer #9 · answered by Maus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says that unlawful sexual relations are just that. please read the covenant of marriage in the bible. it is for a man and woman. There are many scriptures for marraige as well as unlawful sexual relationships.
Should atheists be barred from getting married? Should gays? Why no, not in our worldly intent. As far as god's laws well that is up to God what is right. It is not up to any of us to judge anyone who gets married or who doesnt, who is what religion if it is ok or not. Yes, as a married couple we are serving God and we as a marreid couple become one as God says so in the bible. It is up to God to see who is truly serving him and who is following his word, not us.
I hope you can relax about this as it really is not up to us it is God who judges in the end. Hope this helps. Oh, and this is from a christian perspective but most importantly from one who loves God and not so much the religion per say as that doesnt matter for it is God who matters over all.
2006-10-19 18:12:40 · answer #10 · answered by yeppers 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋