Sanctity of Marriage?

Question

What is 'The Sanctity of Marriage' to you?

Here's a list of topics that you could discuss but please feel free to elaborate in any way you wish!

1. Is there a such thing as 'Sanctity of Marriage'?
1a. Why or how come?
2. Does it apply to every marriage? What about cultures that aren't your own?
3. What types of things constitute 'Sanctity'?
4. Are there different definitions of Sanctity of Marriage?
5. Should your definition of the Sanctity of Marriage be forced on all marriages?
6. Are open marriages, e.g. swingers, possible in your view?
6a. If not does it mean that swingers can't love their partners fully?
6b. Is it still cheating even if both spouses agree?
7. If your definition requires religion is it possible for non-religious marriages to have Sanctity?

I'll be reviewing any and all inputs! Please elaborate in any area you feel is important : P

Answer 1

1. Is there a such thing as 'Sanctity of Marriage'?

1a. Why or how come?

Yes. Sanctity, or sacredness, is about being set apart. Marriage sets a relationship apart from other, non-marital relationships. Marriage is, by it’s set-apart nature, sacred by definition.

The Set-Apartness of Marriage



2. Does it apply to every marriage?

I don’t think so. In a marriage of legal convenience with no real relationship between the “spouses,” the actual relationship has no real set-apart-ness. It is only illusion.

OTOH, I haven’t thought much about this, so I might see it differently if I thought about it more.



> What about cultures that aren't your own?

I can’t speak to cultures that aren’t my own. I don’t know enough about them.



3. What types of things constitute 'Sanctity'?

I don’t know how to answer this. The daily life things that make a marriage real?

Others have replied that sanctity involves being set apart specifically for religious purposes. I don't believe this, primarily because most of the things typically meant by "religious purposes" are cultural and human-made, and thereby artificially limited and limiting.



The Set Apartness of marriage creates its own sanctity, beyond our small imaginations.



4. Are there different definitions of Sanctity of Marriage?

Almost certainly. For example: Blessed by God. Inviolable. Exclusive. Trusting bond. Commitment.



5. Should your definition of the Sanctity of Marriage be forced on all marriages?

Forced? No.

But this idea of Set Apartness is sort of already hanging out there in the legal code and in cultural recognition.



6. Are open marriages, e.g. swingers, possible in your view?

Yes.

6a. If not does it mean that swingers can't love their partners fully?

n/a

6b. Is it still cheating even if both spouses agree?

No, not if they are keeping agreed upon boundaries AND continuing to take care of the relationship between the spouses.



7. If your definition requires religion is it possible for non-religious marriages to have Sanctity?

My definition does not require religion. Yes, it is possible for non-religious marriages to have Set-Apartness.

Answer 2

1. Yes.

1a. Because getting married involves making a vow upon what you consider sacred.

2. Yes, because all marriages involve making a sacred vow.

3. Things that are inviolate and deserving of respect.

4. Of course - if 10 people answer this question, no two are likely to be the same.

5. No, but the world would be a better place if everyone viewd marriage as a sacred thing.

6. Yes.

6a. I think swingers can love their partners fully.

6b. Cheating = breaking the rules, whether it's Monopoly or marriage. If both partners agree, no rules between them are being broken.

7. Yes. You don't have to be religious to consider something of extremely high importance.

Answer 3

The SANCTITY of marriage is NOT subjective, and that was your question after all. We were not referring to just the concept of marriage. Please refer to your question and my answers for clarification. Additionally, speaking in terms of marriage alone, I would have told you that marriage, not the sanctity, is defined as the formal union of a man and woman, recognized by law, where he and she become husband and wife. You can google that definition. Now, because we are so wrapped up in what is politically correct or acceptable the definition of marriage is beginning to morph. It leaves out the words man and woman. For this reason, the definition of the single word marriage can change, be manipulated and be misinterpreted.



It is fine for people to disagree with me. I clearly would disagree with them. But, with the exception of where I specifically sited my opinion, this is not a matter of opinion. This is marriage and the sanctity of which as it has been written in the scriptures and defined in dictionaries or court documents. It is not something I made up.



That said, you are correct. Marriage is a subjective subject. But your questions referred to the SANCTITY of marriage, and the SANCTITY is not subjective. Where a couple joins together under the sanctity of marriage, GOD is ALWAYS involved. Further, I disagree that most people feel the way you do. I believe that most people are simply afraid of being politically incorrect. I am not racist, I do not believe in the persecution of gay couples and I do not pass judgment against them. It is not for me to say that they cannot be happy together. But I don't care how uncool I am based on what I said. I answered the question.



I would like to add that your response was well written, articulate and respectable. Though, even a beautiful argument cannot stand against God.



(I had to delete my top answers to make room for my response) See, now you put words into my mouth and assume you know what I am thinking. You decided what you thought I think is relevant. I answered your question regarding sanctity of marriage, I did not elaborate beyond that as I didn't feel it necessary. You didn't ask what I thought of gay marriage or other marriage. Let me put this into perspective for you. I disagree with gay marriage, however, if they marry then they should remain faithful to one another as their feelings matter too. Your personal interpretation of the institution of marriage is that it is a public expression of unification. I beg to differ and many people would also disagree with that statement. You also target me, because you disagree with me, and imply that I do not practice cultural acceptance. You also accuse me of assuming I am anything. I assume nothing and not once did I claim to be an authority on the subject. I didn't even imply it.

Answer 4

Rather difficult to have sanctity in a marriage without some held belief in holiness of life and godliness. Sanctity arises from something becoming sanctified first. Sanctify means setting something apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use. If a marriage is sanctified, then it has been set apart for either God to use or for a sacred purpose. Unbelieving couples can't logically attain sanctity in their marriage since they are separated from God.



Sanctity of marriage can only be involved when the marriage vows are taken under the auspices of God.



I have watched "open" marriages disintegrate as one of the spouses became more committed to being faithful than the other spouse. Faithfulness seemed to be the sticking point for these couples. Faithfulness involves being steadfast in affection for your spouse over others; being loyal to your spouse. Now, it occurs to me that this hinges upon exactly what the marriage vows were about. Whatever the vows happen to be, both spouses must remain faithful to keeping them. So if the vows are rather vague, it is going to create the potential for disagreement in the future over what exactly was agreed to in the vows.



Marriages can either be formed in covenant with God, or else be formed as legal contracts civilly. In modern times covenant marriages are also legal contracts. But legal contract marriages are not automatically covenants with God. Covenants with God hold both spouses to God's higher authority in all matters. They ultimately answer to God for all of their choices. They agree to live in matrimony according to God's rules as stated in the Bible's New Testament.

Answer 5

Usually in the wedding vows repeated during the ceremony the part about 'forsaking all others' is something brought up. Could you imagine the looks on everyone's faces if you said besides swinging and consensual affairs. Kind of brings up why get married if your idea is not to be faithful to that person.

Answer 6

1) No. Because it's immoral.

2) No. No.

3) Retardism.

4) No.

5) No.

6) No. No. Yes.

7) No.