Why do Christians make the mistake of thinking that marriage is only for Christians?

Question

Marriage existed long before the Christian religion was even thought of.

God did NOT make marriage. Try again.

People have asked where I heard it, well read the answers to this question. I guarantee you'll see than there are quite a few Christians that think their god created marriage and they've said so.

Answer 1

I am a Pagan & follow a religious path FAR older than Christianity, I also happen to be Gay. You've asked a very good question & I don't know if there really is a true answer to it. Christians (in general) seem to think that their path is the only path & that if you don't do what they want then you get thrown in a bonfire or something *eye roll* -- What Christians have lost site of, is the fact that Deity exists in MANY forms and just b/c it doesn't conform to what they believe it does NOT mean it's evil, just different. It does NOT matter which path you take to get to God/Goddess/Deity/Whatever, as long as you get there.

On the subject of Gay Marriage (one of the answers brought it up), there was a letter I came across yesterday written to Dr. Laura (infamous bigot that likes to spout scripture) --

Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that (Leviticus 18:22) clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in (Exodus 21:7). In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is on her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) (Lev. 25:44) states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. (Exodus 35:2) clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) (Lev 21:20) states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by (Lev 19:27). How should they die?

i) I know from (Lev 11:6-8) that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates (Lev 19:19) by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

[EDIT]
To Dave:
As far as sources that state that marriage existed long before the Christian religion? Do you own research dude. It's called Paganism. Our form of Marriage is called Hand fasting, which by principal is a more feasible alternative than Christian Marriage. Every year, on the day of the ceremony's anniversary, the vows are renewed - or if the couple no longer wish to be bound, then they sit down with the High Priestess, and everything is divided down the middle. There is no divorce, no custody battles, no suing each other over material possessions. I'm not going to go off on a tangent here, but I had to edit my post mainly due to the fact that it irks me when ignorant/uneducated people try to slam things that they obviously have no knowledge of.
[/EDIT]

Answer 2

Christians all over the world, know and respect other cultures and races have ways of marriage. I don't know where you got this information, but it is wrong. We do not think that marriage is only for Christians. That is a wrong thought. You try again and this time do some research , to find out that Christians know about other marriages. Like a Jewish marriage, is honored by the Christians. I am not familiar with the Muslim marriages, but I know they have their own way in the culture and Religion. You are the one that is mistaken as Christians do not think that way. Why is everyone so against any thing about the Christians ?? I would like to know why !!

Answer 3

I like that you think that there was a time before Christianity was "ever thought of"...Considering the God of the Jews pre-Christ is the God of Christians now. I am a Christian and believe that marriage a commitment is between a man & a woman with God as a whitness.

Tyrpically in times of long long ago all you had to do to be married was consumate the marriage...SEX...Having Sex meant that you were married...That is why you were supposed to wait to have sex, because not only was it "for" married people, but as a "right" of marriage & the ceremony.

Marriage is not just for Christians, becasue sex is not just for Chritsians. God views sex equally as marriage. Sex was a marriage right/part of the ceremony to consumate the marriage. If in Gods eyes you are married to the person you have sex with than any other partner is Adultury (also a sin, and something most people don't like!) But now days it has become socially acceptable to have as many partners, male or female, before marriage, no excuses nessecary. I think in order to have a sucsessful marriage it takes two people both equal, but knowing their place in the partnership of marriage.

Answer 4

Where are you getting this info?? First, if your going to make a statement like that you better post your source for proof that marriage existed long before the Christian religion. Second, I've never heard of marriage being specifically a Christian invention. The church maybe, but not specifically Christians. You also have to remember that years ago Christian meant not just Catholics, but many other God fearing denominations as well. It is in the Christain bible though so it had its origins in religion somewhere along the line.

Answer 5

Actually God has been around since and before the beginning of the world so i think its fair to point out that it didn't exist before him and adam and eve had a good relationship with God so they would probably count as christians so, as they were the first ever humans, marriage didn't exist before them. I agree that marriage is not just for christians though, it's for anyone whatever religion.

Answer 6

You're being very stereotypical. I'm a Christian, and I do not think marriage is only for Christians. Christianity originates from Christ, and before Christ, people got married. We know that, we're not stupid. Maybe some Christians DO think that marriage is only for Christians, but thats an opinion. Just please, don't be stereotypical and assume all Christians think that.

Answer 7

You're right! God didn't make marriage. Marriage was initially all about gaining land and property in a legally binding contract. It's the first legal contract humans made! And it happened looong before "god" showed up.

Answer 8

the Word marriage was started by the Christian religion, but the practice of joining 2 people for life goes back over 15,000 years.

they want to preserve their precious word then let them. my arguement is that the government should recognise a legal term for all people that are bound in faith and law. and that everyone that falls under this word (civil union for example) have all of the rights of any other legal spouse. to health care and visitation rights. and to inheritence and such.

we are supposed to have freedom of religion. do if I, a legaly Ordained minister wish to preform a marriage or handfasting
for a homosexual couple that should be my business and their business. other churches should stay the hell out of that. the government should recognise the Union as legal and all legal rights of the current Marriage should be granted to the people.

this whole thing is just another example of the Christian religious right trying to pass their religion into a law that everyone must follow.

Answer 9

I think you may have received erroneous information from somewhere....

I know that at least the Catholic Church does indeed acknowledge marriages from other faiths (including non-christian). If you do an inter-faith marriage its still recognized but not considered validated unless its done in a church or a priest is present. Thats not to say your not married b/c you took oaths before God, its just not officially recognized as a catholic union.

Answer 10

Marriage in a christian church is only available for Christians,usually.It is supposed to be sanctioned by God.

Answer 11

The historical definintion of marriage throughout history and in all nations and tribes of the world has been that "marriage" is between men and women......this include non-Christians as well as Christians.

All people have known that this is what it is. Now there are some who want to change the definition. What right do they have to demand that we change our view?