http://www.keithboykin.com/arch/2004/02/19/what_the_bible_1
What The Bible Really Says About Marriage
By Keith Boykin, in spirituality
Thursday, February 19 2004, 5:16PM


Kudos to Vaughn Roste for his recent article, "Biblical marriage: a bad
source for debate."

Roste researched the Bible and found 800 references to marriage and
divided them into 12 general principles. Among the rules, "If a man dies
childless, his brother must marry the widow (Gen 38:6-10, Deut 25:5-10,
Mark 12:19, Luke 20:28)."
Why do these so-called Christians spend so much time misquoting the
story of Adam and Eve but never mention any of the Biblical passages
with which they disagree? And then there's another question at the root
of Roste's analysis. Who cares what the Bible says about marriage?
Two-thirds of the people in the world are not Christian, and half of
those who are can't even agree on which Bible to use. The Bible was used
to justify racism, sexism and anti-Semitism, so it's not a surprise to
find it supporting homophobia too. If you want to live by it, that's
your choice. But don't try to force everybody else to believe the same
thing.

Daniel:
I believe the church of Christ it's an institution that has lasted for
2000 years for some reason. The catholic church has made 1000's over
1000's mistakes because the members of this church are human beings and
human beings are imperfect. But it's still the church of Christ (as any
other denomination; the basis is the same what changes is the form).
I've been educated a catholic since i was a little child, but at the
same time i have researched other beliefs, and I have my own opinions
about bible interpretation on several topics. I didn't let the church to
castrate my mind.
A priest or a preacher with all his imperfection (as urs and mine), has
an authority invested in order to represent phisically something that
God is sealing and blessing in the spiritual world (like a marriage).
My opinion, with all due respect to yours.

Redikolous:

nobody is trying to impose his/her beliefs in this thread.
The bible is open to as much interpretations as human beings are in this
planet. Therefore, u and me are entitled to our own opinions.

LonleyWalker, I forgot to add my comments to the first post, so sorry.

What I was trying to show, was that using the Bible to devine a word is
one thing. But when the word has become so interchangable with other
"ideas" then one can no longer use Biblical reference.

The Government, the powers in charge, a long time ago chose to use the
word marriage when describing what THEY considered a natural family
union. At that time, to them, a natural family was none other than a
man and a woman. They did this for the sole purpose of "property
rights". If a MAN fathered a SON or SONs that mans property, upon his
death would be entrusted/given to the OLDEST living SON. No SON, then
to the MANs father, if he was dead, then to the MAN's oldest living
brother, then on to any uncles - you see the chain of command here?

This was a government law of convenience to determine who would inherit
when a man died. In reference to the widow or any single female
children, the man who inerited the wealth, by law, was to see to the
remaining females in the dead mans' family. THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE
MARRIAGE LAW IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

This was later recognized on the State level as an excellent way to keep
track of people and their heirs. However, because so many poeple did
not choose to MARRY, or recognize the church ritual, they did not
register for a marriage license. This created the ever useful State
rule of COMMON LAW MARRIAGE. If a male and female cohabited for a given
number of year,usually 5 to 7, consecutive years the state would
consider them legally married. This later served as a tool for both
federal and state tax and census information.

So you see, the word, marriage, was never used or meant to be used by
the government for any religious purpose.

There is one sad fact, over the last 15 years or so, many state have
ruled that the common law marriage is no longer effective, mostly
because they could not keep track of all the moving in and out, hell
they can't even keep track of dead beat fathers.
The sad thing is that today, many are forced to fight a battle over the
word marriage in legal use. If the common law marriage had remained on
the books, there would be many married today, with the same benefits
that the word marriage in our federal law grants to those who have
chosen to view the word in it's original Biblical context.

The english language, any language, MUST and CAN only be defined within
the context of the times and conditions surrounding the use of the
words.

That is proven here with this post, as so many are confused at the
language, and what it means.

i know about common law marriage, I took a family law class in my
paralegal program, and we talked about that topic.
And I agree with you 100% in the sense of human being's law.
Well if the question in this thread is about the interpretation of the
world marriage in the law u r totally right.
Most our primitive laws were taken from ancient laws that are written in
the bible, and have been used by males to subjugate women.

Lonely Walker>

you posted way up at the start of this thread...

'Therefore, if you live with a woman without a marriage through a church
(whatever denomination you choose) you are not husband and wife.
You are just a man living with a woman.'

What if you do not believe in a church or religion? I will not worship
that-which-I-consider-to-be-god through the beliefs of another. I do
not feel that there is anything between god and myself but my faith.

If I then take a woman to be my wife under the full understanding of
what I see as god I am not married in the biblical sense?

With all due respect sir I disagree with you.

I revere the annointed one but I worship god.

Adventure, I have spent approx three hours reseaching "marriage in the
Bible". You can read it for yourself and decide what to believe. At
least that's what I get, because in that three hours I came accross no
less than 200 different interpretations. That's just me viewing ramdom
web sites about the topic - imagine how many differing opinions there
really are. So, here's what I say.
If you consider yourself a Christian and you consider the Bible a source
for your behaviors, then read it and decide for yourself what YOU think
it means. If you do this with clear conscience, then how could God
fault you. If however, you list all the differeing opinions and then
cover your eyes and pick one and say, this is what I will believe, do
you think God would forgive you for "following" the interpretations of
another man over your own good conscience effort?

Having said that, I would like to know how others, who have an opinion
of what makes a marriage in Gods' eyes, have come by their particular
beliefs? If in fact you read and interpreted and follow your belief,
what makes it right for you to say another can not do the same thing?
This is a valid qustion and begs an answer, as there are laws pending in
this country based on your answer. please respond.

My view on marriage is "I cant see the point"

Its only for the party, the papers and the property rights!

If two people commit to each other, then thats cool and trendy, but why
should it be a religious act?

I saw some photos of a beautiful ceremony that had two beautiful ladies
having their hands "fastened" It touched me more than any posed wedding
photos that exist.

Their are laws that prohibit them from being a "couple" in the eyes of
the law, but for the people there, it was certainly a superb
celebration.

The problem with all this is that I am not a christian.

I have only my faith in the glory of god.

I have no desire to offend anyone but I see no use in following words
written by men for men. If another wishes to do so that is their right.

Yet I continually have those same words thrust upon me. There are
places in these united states where it is even difficult to get a job
unless you bow to the local community and join some cult or another.

I listen to the cacaphony of voices raised in the name of this prophet
or that and each claims to have the right track, the only path to
salavation. eeeek.

here is christ, there is christ.

I am sorry but I worship not christ but god.

Mr. AB i respect ur points of view, but I stay in my position.

Now for those who believe in a religion (like myself) (and this is my
own opinion) all the acts within a church are a symbolic representation
of what's happening in the spiritual world.
Let's say in a marriage God is sealing the union of a man and a woman in
the spiritual level, then the liturgical (for the catholics) celebration
of a marriage is a symbol.
It's the same as in the communion, the bread and the wine don't change
into the flesh and blood of Christ (it's impossible), but in my heart I
believe that through that symbol I'm sharing with all the community the
presence of Christ in my life.

Nicely stated LonelyWalker but not too insightful. I would like to know
why it is you feel a need to have these sybolic ritua preformed and
taken part in only with and in front of others of your religious peers.

Would it not be possible to preform a ritual such as, marriage, baptism,
confirmation, communion in the privacy of your home or back yard, with
only you or in a small family setting, without the pastor/priest?

What is so important about letting others see your faith. Is it not
enough to profess it?

Is there not a ritual attributed to prayer? Is it impossible to ask God
directly to absolve you while in prayer from your own home?

Your previous responce leans in the direction of having to show, to
prove something to the community. If you did practice your
faith,including these rituals in private, do you think their judgement
of you would be as harsh as your judgement against those you see as
hypocrites? Because they do not attend to partake of a public disply of
their faith.

This is simply my attempt to show you that you may be wrong in your
judgement against others. It also includes some qustions I have always
wanted an honest and logical answer to. I have actually found that
answer myself, however, I have yet to hear anyone with your conception
of ritualistic relgion, ever utter the reason. Do you know it? One
clue, it's in your Bible, and if you find, it may change your mind, when
others here could not.

Ms. Red:
With regard to my judgment to others please refer to my last post in the
thread "I'm a catholic, but..."
And with regard to showing my faith to others through rituals, if that
is what you think out of what i wrote, I may have used the wrong terms
to express my ideas.
A symbol is not use to show other and be hypocrit. A symbols is a
manifestation of faith where I express my love to my creator.
now you will say why I don't do it in the intimacy of my house?
I'll say that I believe that celebrating these symbols in a community of
brothers and sisters is the right thing to do within what I believe.
Then you can keep going that my mind is very small, and that I have very
short brain boundaries.
I'll tell you that I respect your opinion. Nevertheless, I don't agree.

TLW, I regret any offence that may have been present in my last post. I
posted this before I saw your other responce. That is when and why I
contacted you, to ask you not to see this post as an offence. I see
now, after the other post and after our chat what you were referring to.
I will say this, I agree with your logic and although I believe everyone
has a right to worship and believe as they want to, just as you
indicate, I find those who use religion as a shield and a trophy, only
to ignore the very rules they proclaim to be holy, are the worst of
society. I don't believe they worship at all, I think they use the
religion they proclaim to keep as way to manipulate those around them to
their own selfish ends.

no offense taken whatsoever Ms. Red

Original post by AB..

What is your view on marriage? Is it the same as taking a woman to wife?

***************************************************************

My veiw on marriage? Created by men to keep women subservient to
men...from the bible...also created by men...

And yes, have been married, but my veiws are not only from there, but
subjective to many other observations...

I do not believe in one god, one set of rules created over 2000 years
ago. No-one rules me, certainly not some ancient icon,( I follow the
customs and laws of my society, as most are based in common decency and
respect, and yes, I am aware that initially these same laws stem from
the ten commandments)...however, I find marriage has lost it's fairytale
entrapment...

Commitment, honouring another human being?
Is as natural as breathing.

I don't need a white frock and puffy sleeves to prove it...

<=== still wants the wedding someday, just a tiny one but a wedding
nonetheless...ring, honeymoon, and all

No piece of paer on earth will ever make a marriage. i believe mariage
is the union of souls and as long as you take those vows in your heart
and truly stick by them then your as married as the next guy who stood
up in church and pledged his undying love and signed a piece of paper.
marriage is made or broken by actions not a piece of paer be it a
license or a divorce decree

i know i dont want to do it again.