I need a valid and credible source that states the origins and beginning of marriage before it was adopted as a religious word and practice. I don't want Wikipedia or Urban dictionary as sources because they aren't credible or proven sources.
2007-02-01 08:29:38 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
Dear Jennifer, When I married I got from a friend, who is a philosopher, as a marriage gift, the book by Jean-Jacques Rousseau The Social Contract (Le contrat social). As it was in French I have not yet taken the opportunity to read it. Rousseau sees marriage as a form of social contract, based on mutual benefits of the contracting partners, who are human beings gifted with reason. You find the book here: http://www.constitution.org/jjr/socon.htm
Success!
2007-02-03 08:43:35 · answer #1 · answered by theoikos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marriage occurs in all societies for political reasons. The religions have taken over marriage but it is not a religious occasion for many people.
If you look at any clan or moiety system you will find that they are exogamous. You cannot marry someone of your own clan or moiety. This means that you must make friendly contact with people of other clans or moieties. A marriage links families and properties and helps prevent wars. Marriages in most societies are arranged to get the most benefits for the families involved. The idea of the couple choosing each other is a modern western idea and is still not practised in large areas of the world.
Any anthropology textbook on kinship and marriage will explain all this very nicely. A good start would be Robin Fox's book "Kinship and Marriage". It is available in Penguin Books. My edition is 1981 but there will be later editions than that.
2007-02-03 14:45:20 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are speaking for themselves, what are they saying? Look at all the different religions there. That doesn't argue for anything other then the fact that many people like to have a spiritual organization they are allied with. Your numbers don't take into about those who identify with a particular religion but who are not regular attendees at services, or who are whatever they claim to be in name only and for social reasons only, not spiritual ones. It also doesn't take into account many people who choose Not to be identified as atheist or agnostic because of the social dangers involved in some cases. While interesting, these numbers are pointless in any sort of debate regarding the reality of deity.
2016-05-24 02:53:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the early anthropological essays by Bachofen and Maine. Both tried to solve the question on non religious grounds. Kind of old though. If I can remember anything more resent I will add it to my answer.
2007-02-01 11:24:48 · answer #4 · answered by Fromafar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would look up pegan marriage. Most of their ceremonies start most of modern day religious ceremonies. Pegans worshiped the earth and not so much a deity. Try looking into things like limerence and love.
2007-02-01 11:04:59 · answer #5 · answered by Sean B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
great question. what do you mean non-religious, christian religion? I do not have a source but I suggest you do some research of gypsy marriages. they might be the prove you need.
2007-02-01 09:39:57 · answer #6 · answered by selfish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try and find this book: http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Contract-Evolution-Human-Behavior/dp/0688015999/sr=8-1/qid=1170553980/ref=sr_1_1/105-6264070-2234800?ie=UTF8&s=books. That might be along the lines you're looking for.
2007-02-03 12:55:34 · answer #7 · answered by Critter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are none, its all religion whether paganism, catholicism, prodestantism, etc.
2007-02-01 13:26:06 · answer #8 · answered by sarah c 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Marriage was instituted by God. You want pagan origins after that, find them yourself.
2007-02-01 08:43:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋