Introduction / Overview

All Christian churches view marriage as a serious, lifelong commitment. Christian couples make their marriage vows to one another before God, within the context of a religious ceremony. Roman Catholics can be married during the Eucharist. The ceremony may differ from one denomination to another but the basic details are common to all. The marriage service includes:

The marriage service includes:

1. A statement of what the marriage is
2. Questions to make sure that the couple are free to marry and that they understand their responsibilities
3. he taking of the vows
4. A declaration to the couple that they are now husband and wife
5. The exchange of vows
6. Prayers and blessings
7. The signing of the state register, before witnesses

Christians have always held marriage to be sacred. Their belief is based on several biblical texts.

1. Marriage is monogamous - one partner only

There was a time in Jewish history when men married several wives (cf Deut 21:15-17 and 1Samuel 1:1-8). But under the influence of the prophets this custom was dropped. The New Testament teaching on marriage takes monogamy for granted. Monogamy means being married to one person until death, there is no barrier to a person marrying again if one partner dies.

Focus question - What are the arguments for and against monogamy ?

2. Marriage is for life

Jewish law made provision for the possibility of divorce through Jesus did not;

"But in the beginning, at the time of creation, God made them Male and Female as the scripture says and for this reason a man will leave his mother and his father and unite with his wife, and the two of them will become one flesh so that they are no longer two but one. Man must not separate then, what God has joined together" Mark 10:6-9

Focus question - Should the premise be that marriage is for life ?

3. Sex is confined to marriage

Christians hold firmly to the biblical teaching that sexual intercourse should be confined to marriage. This strict teaching is based on positive reasons. Casual sex involves treating a partner as a sex-object and not as a person. Most people would probably that this degrades human relationships (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Some couples today see nothing wrong in sleeping together when their relationship is special, and is likely to become permanent. Some Christians would agree with this as long as the firm intention is to marry. Others will disagree they claim that it goes against the whole purpose of sexual intercourse. Two people are trying to be totally at one with each other without accepting the commitment and stability of the marriage vows. Roman Catholics further believe that marriage is life-giving, and involved responsible parenthood. Sexual intercourse has the potential to create new life. The raising of a family needs the security and commitment of marriage.

Focus Question - Should contraception change the premise of no sex before marriage? (think about attitude to the person as well as the danger of pregnancy).

see also the section on Decisions of life and living, Marriage and Divorce & remarriage