What Marriage Used to Mean

Author, Angela Crouch shares her viewpoint:

I have seen a growing trend among the people around me, and throughout the world, to question whether or not marriage is worth it anymore, since most of the benefits of being legally and lawfully joined in matrimony can be made available to any couple. Isn’t it just a piece of paper?

Others fight for that piece of paper and legal designation, and by so doing seek to change the fundamental precepts that marriage was founded on — aka “redefining marriage”. With my “old fashioned” view on marriage, I find it hard to understand, or condone either of these.
This is what marriage used to mean and still means to me: 

First, look at government’s stake in, and society’s purpose for marriage through most of human history.

As Thomas Sowell, one of America’s brilliant minds put it this way: “In the absence of the institution of marriage, the individuals could arrange their relationship whatever way they wanted to, making it temporary or permanent, and sharing their worldly belongings in whatever way they chose. Marriage means that the government steps in, limiting or even prescribing various aspects of their relations with each other — and still more, their relationship with whatever children may result from their union. In other words, marriage imposes legal restrictions, taking away rights that individuals might otherwise have.”

With this understanding it makes sense why some couples like the “just a piece of paper” argument. I mean, who wants the Government to have any say in their personal relationships? However, the main focus of society’s past interest in marriage was because of the children that usually result from the union of a man and a woman. It happens.  Deal with it.  But society needed to make sure that those children were taken care of.

“Marriage is the institution that maximizes the likelihood that the two of them would take the
responsibility of raising that child.”

He stated further: “The state’s interest in marriage is not that it cares about my love life, or your love life, or anyone’s love life just for the sake of romance. The state’s interest in marriage is ensuring that those kids have fathers who are involved in their lives.”

Completely logical, but for most people, especially Christians, marriage means much more.

My friend Mary Hawkins expressed the viewpoint of most Christians:

Old fashioned? I don't think so. Not when the meaning of what marriage is has stood for thousands of years. I strongly believe that every person NOT committed to God and His son, Jesus, may indeed have the freedom of choice in relationships. What I do very strongly object to is the demand it still be called marriage so it has all the safeguards and rights governments have made for true marriage. this whole trend just makes me extremely sad - and fearful for our beloved nation.

Well said! Thanks for your very clear comment Mary. 

COMING SOON: To all of you, my readers, who having been following this Inspirational Romance blog, I have an announcement.
In the next couple of weeks this blog will have a new name - Rita Stella Press.com  It will be similar, but will allow me more leeway to write about a wide range of topics.

Thanks for your interest during this time. I believe you will enjoy the new blog just as much.
God bless you

Rita Stella