What is your definition of marriage?

Ralphy1

Ralphy1

Well-known Member
With the Supreme Court taking on the issue it made me think of my own definition. Methinks that it is simply between two humans over the age of eighteen. Your opinion will be tolerated but don't expect agreement, at least from me...
 

Actually that is correct... Marriage is a legal contract. period.. BUT as most things humans do... it's been made into some mystical magical religous preordained hoopla ordered by God and created for the purpose of manufacturing other humans. It's also a HUGE cash cow for the Church and the ecconomy..
 
Hmmm, but how about between several humans? I would have had several wives but I couldn't have handled the nagging... :eek:nthego:
 
When I was teaching in the catholic school I taught the standard three definitions of marriage

1. A civil contract between two people that has three essential elements.
The contract is legally recognised and is registered. This is "de jure" marriage.
a) both parties must be free to marry - legally old enough and not already married
b) both parties must consent to the marriage contract free from duress
c) the commitment is a solemn one, made before witnesses and binding on both parties. It confers rights and responsibilities on both partners.

2. An informal union that has the same characteristics of a "de jure" marriage to an outside observer.
Lacking a formal ceremony or any registration, the union may still be regarded as marriage. It is considered "de facto" marriage.

3. Sacramental marriage is a religious concept. It has additional layers to the secular definitions.
For Christians it means a monogamous union of a man and a woman and is, for the most part, considered to be indissoluble. This relationship, between husband and wife, is considered to be the most fundamental of all relations, including the parent/child bond because it is for life. Children grow up and leave the family home. This is a very high standard and marriages don't always last the distance which is the reason why most churches are prepared to sanction divorce.

Faiths other than Christianity have different theologies regarding marriage but if they want to have the unions recognised in law they must meet the requirements of #1 above. Catholics regard marriage as a sacrament, protestants on the whole do not and are more relaxed about remarriage after divorce.

For myself, my personal view of marriage is in line with the traditional teachings of St Paul.
That's why I've survived nearly 52 years married to the same man.
 
Fifty-two years of marriage? St.Paul should give you a pension! :love_heart:
 
Ralphy, it is very special when the husband of your old age is the same as the husband of your youth.
Growing old together has its advantages.

We don't hold hands these days like we used to.
It's more like we're stopping each other from falling flat on our faces.
 
Dame Warrigal said:
Ralphy, it is very special when the husband of your old age is the same as the husband of your youth.
Growing old together has its advantages.

We don't hold hands these days like we used to.
It's more like we're stopping each other from falling flat on our faces.
Click to expand...

I have 51 years of marriage in I hold her hand while outside so she don't go shopping!!
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I am 81 the wife is 84. We have been married for over 50 years. We should have known better by our 30's, but we did not. It has actually been a good 50 years.
 
I remember when those opposed to same sex marriage were convinced that people would want to marry their livestock next.. SO perhaps "union between two adults of the same species" is more specific.. lol!!
 
My definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. Before bashing me, REMEMBER, you are entitled to your beliefs and I am entitled to mine.

I've been married for 15 years now and absolutely LOVE it!! Was married before, as was my wife. Anyway, we have so much in common it's almost scary. Except for when she is at work, during the weekdays, we do almost everything together.
 
I have absolutely no problem with gay marriage, and think it's about time. The only issue I have a slight problem with is the use of the words husband and wife. Somehow, when I hear a man talking about his "husband," I kind of do a double take.

Actually, those words are archaic and should probably be relegated to Olde English, both for gays and for straights. Why not have everybody refer to their "spouse?"
 
I think I should probably marry my laptop.

I'm always putting my hands on it, poking it and stroking it, looking at it and asking it to do things for me. In return I keep it clean, well-maintained and happy.

I will call it my "lapspouse".
 
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