There are lots of marriage issues floating around at the moment. Whether it be get tough with dads who don't pay adequate family support for their children, same sex unions, or simply issues to do with supporting the institution of marriage itself, there is plenty of food for thought.
I believe marriage is a good thing, but I don't believe everyone needs to or should get married. I do believe that our society would be in peril without it. This morning I was talking to two young members of my extended family who are preparing to get married, I always have delight in telling them that Christians believe that it is not only their decision to get married but also that it is God's way of ordering the world. We should at least see that God is doing smething here as well as the couple themselves.
To my mind this elevates the whole nature of the exercise. It gives it a quality that it previously lacked because it is something that God thinks is important too!! Not everyone will understand this. And for some it will not be true, or will have ceased to be true.
It is nevertheless my experience. It doesn't mean that every day of our marriage has been bliss. Quite the reverse. It does mean that it has been worthwhile, even if sometimes that has been difficult to bear.
I don't think this is terribly extraordinary. I rather think that this is what life is like. It doesn't make it any less marvellous.
7 comments:
I don't think that you can lump gay relationships in with true marriage. The Bible doesn't sanction that sort of thing at all.
I know that some people find it difficult to understand why a number of gay people want to "get married". It's clear that a lot don't want to. A lot of heterosexual men and women don't want to either.
For me I have to ask the question about what is the more moral situation. If you are a gay person is it better to be in a committed relationship or involved in a series of short-lived relationships. I think the answer is no different than it would be for a straight person. Clearly we understand that relationship is about commitment and we should be trying to foster that!
To whom is it important to use the word "marriage" with respect to a particular commitment between two "gay" people - and why is it so?
Yes, "pedant" (name well chosen, though I think you may be harsh on yourself). The question is a good one so I will devote a full item to it...see next blog
There were in fact two questions. Are they both 'good' questions? If so, am I expecting too much in requesting of you direct answers to the questions?
Pedant, if you have read through this blog, you will have noticed that the blogger doesn't give direct responses. He is very wishy washy & his world very small. His beliefs sound very new age, even though he fancies himself as an intellectual giant.
I guess 2c when all else fails you should write anonymously and insult those with whom you disagree.
And you think I am wishy washy!
As for fancying myself as an intellectual giant, quite the contrary. I am all too aware that I am limited intellectually, which is one of the reason why I do not presume to make infallible declarations about what God decrees. It is why I urge caution to those who would presume to begin sentences with phrases like "The Bible says..." as if it is some black and white book of regulations instead of a dynamic encounter with the living God.
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