marriage not historically religious

Beautifully put, billwald!

Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give unto God what belongs to God.

Caesar wants a ceremony (ceremoney is more like it) to divise ways of taxation.

Many so called Christian religions today hold ceremonies that are Pagan at best. And how many of you celebrate Christ's birth with a Pagan Tree of Life?

Hmmmmm?

 

I believe it is not a certificate, a state license, or even solemnization in a ceremony that creates a marriage. It is a commitment, entered into freely and consensually, based on love and respect.

Now there are religious-based marriages and civil marriages. Both are legally valid and binding contracts, but have little to do with the foundation of a marriage relationship, and little to do with one another. The church and state could recognize or not recognize marriages that the other performs, however our customs and laws are such that they have such reciprocity.

 

Interesting take on things.
Just out of curiosity. How do you explain why, when Abraham lied and pretended Sarah was his sister instead of his wife, God threatened to kill the man who tried to take her as wife, and chastized Abraham for the lie?
Why did Joseph worry about Mary's virginity?
Why does it make a very large distinction in the story of David between his wives and the wives of those he conquers? Or of Uriah's wife?

Stop trying to explain away fornication.

If you are not willing to proclaim your spouse before the church and men, you don't deserve them.

 

TS, I believe you are addressing all of the posters so far, but I don't see anyone trying to "explain away fornication". Where did that come from?

We were discussing people making a lifetime commitment to one another, not just seeking an excuse for a roll in the hay.

There is nothing magic about a ceremony that makes sex acceptable. It is the love and commitment. I don't need a ceremony, a license or any other accoutrements of mankind to bind me to my wife (although we had those things). I proudly present her to the world as my love, my partner in life's journey, and my wife of 31 years. This has nothing to do with fornication.

 

I'm very sorry to say we have a number of members who are living together, have numerous children and are not legally married.

 

The first person ever to be called a wife was Eve which is in the Bible, so therefore, marriage is historically religious, not a civil contract as you suggest.

Gen.2
[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 

The first person ever to be called a wife was Eve which is in the Bible, so therefore, marriage is historically religious, not a civil contract as you suggest.

Gen.2
[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. </font>[/QUOTE]I believe one has to be male and the other female to accomplish the "one flesh" part of God's plan.

 

Not sure I follow you here, LadyEagle.
The fact that it was mentioned in no way implies that this is a religious ceremony, or that it is not a civil contract.

Hope you are well,

BiR

 

I'm agreeing with billwald on this.
I've it all before.

 

Beautifully put, billwald!

Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give unto God what belongs to God.

Caesar wants a ceremony (ceremoney is more like it) to divise ways of taxation.

Many so called Christian religions today hold ceremonies that are Pagan at best. And how many of you celebrate Christ's birth with a Pagan Tree of Life?

Hmmmmm? </font>[/QUOTE]

 

Diane, this comment has absolutely nothing to do with the discussion on this thread and, personally, I think you are wrong to mention it. Just exactly what is your point in bringing this to everyone's attention? I don't recall any BB "rule" that says one must be "legally married" in order to be a member.

CJ

 

Maybe not CJ, but a person who is a born again Christian ought to know better than those in the world, and, supposedly, all of us who are members here are born again Christians, at least we profess to be.

Those who post in Baptist only forums especially ought to be living by godly principles. I have never seen a Baptist church that would allow an unmarried couple, who are living together or having relations, to be members of their church. Such folks should certainly recuse themselves from these discussions.

btw, it was brought up because fornication was brought up in an earlier post.

 

That is a Christian belief. God gave everyone the right to believe that or not. It is not our business to force that upon anyone else. Fornication is a sin and it will be dealt with BY GOD! It's not up to you or anyone else, so get off your high horse.

 

Diane, this comment has absolutely nothing to do with the discussion on this thread and, personally, I think you are wrong to mention it. Just exactly what is your point in bringing this to everyone's attention? I don't recall any BB "rule" that says one must be "legally married" in order to be a member.

CJ </font>[/QUOTE]I agree. What was the point of that Diane?

 

What was the point?

A LEGAL marriage in the United States includes a marriage license through the state and MANY states refuse to accept 'common law' marriages.

Scripture says:

The testimony of those who live in sin is ruined, in my personal opinion. Our law says we need a 'piece of paper' and scripture tells us to be 'subject to the law'. Sounds clear enough to me.

Also, to make this a 'non issue' among Christians on a Christian board is the same as telling our youth to go have sex with anyone they 'think they love' because they're 'married in God's eyes'.

Diane

 

Not sure I follow you here, LadyEagle.
The fact that it was mentioned in no way implies that this is a religious ceremony, or that it is not a civil contract.

Hope you are well,

BiR </font>[/QUOTE]Well let's see If I can clarify it for you BIR.

God, That would be The Creator, Father, Lord, etc; certainly recognized as a Religious Figure, Created the Universe.

When a Religious Figure creates something out of nothing is what He created religious in nature or secular in nature?

When He created Man and then Created Woman to be his Helpmate was this relationship he had in mind religious or secular in nature?

 

A LEGAL marriage in the United States includes a marriage license through the state and MANY states refuse to accept 'common law' marriages.

Scripture says:

The testimony of those who live in sin is ruined, in my personal opinion. Our law says we need a 'piece of paper' and scripture tells us to be 'subject to the law'. Sounds clear enough to me.

Also, to make this a 'non issue' among Christians on a Christian board is the same as telling our youth to go have sex with anyone they 'think they love' because they're 'married in God's eyes'.

Diane </font>[/QUOTE]I don't see how it is telling our youth any such thing. Also, if you take that scripture and apply it to today's law, I guess you are saying that since abortion is currently legal, it is sanctioned by God! I hardly think so.

 

God's law always takes precedence over man's law and NO WHERE does it say 'tho shalt not marry or get a piece of paper to marry'. It does say 'thou shalt not kill' and includes adultery, fornication, etc. Of course, I'm not into Metal bands either and don't think God much would care for them either.

 

Diane </font>[/QUOTE]So Diane, according to these verses, had you been living in Germany in the 1930s-1940s you would have been bound by God to support the Third Reich? They were the legitimate government, and must have been given that authority by God. To not support them and their genocide of Jews would have been to rebel against the almighty.

Please explain. You have me a bit confused here.