Is civil marriage sacred?

[TheAdvocate]

Well, that’s pretty much it for this post, a simple question: do you believe that civil marriage, understood strictly as a union between a man and a woman, is sacred? People talk about the “sanctity” of marriage, but why would they if they are talking about civil marriage, which is non-sacramental in nature?

 

[porthos11]

Well, that’s pretty much it for this post, a simple question: do you believe that civil marriage, understood strictly as a union between a man and a woman, is sacred? People talk about the “sanctity” of marriage, but why would they if they are talking about civil marriage, which is non-sacramental in nature?

For those who are not Catholic, but baptized, such as Protestants (who were never Catholic), civil marriage is both valid and sacramental, and as such, in their case, is sacred.

 

[TheAdvocate]

For those who are not Catholic, but baptized, such as Protestants (who were never Catholic), civil marriage is both valid and sacramental, and as such, in their case, is sacred.

I’m talking about non-Christians especially: if two non-Christians get married in a courthouse, is that a sacred bond?

 

[shockerfan]

I’m talking about non-Christians especially: if two non-Christians get married in a courthouse, is that a sacred bond?

Define ‘sacred’.

Dictionary says “connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration”.

So in a general sense a Christian might believe a Jewish or Muslim marriage might be considered sacred, since they believe in the same God, however, a hindu marriage might not considered sacred in the same sense. Really depends on the definitions you use

 

[Nozzer]

Well, that’s pretty much it for this post, a simple question: do you believe that civil marriage, understood strictly as a union between a man and a woman, is sacred? People talk about the “sanctity” of marriage, but why would they if they are talking about civil marriage, which is non-sacramental in nature?

If you mean, is it valid, then I should have to say no, because, as Catholics, we believe that only God can bond people together spiritually in the Sacrament of Matrimony. However, the meaning of the word “sacred” in your question is rather ambiguous, which makes your question hard to answer.

I hope this has helped,

God bless,

Nozzer

 

[nodito]

I would argue, yes, civil marriage is sacred. It is a matrimonial covenant intended for the good (holiness) of the spouses and the procreation of children, which is a command from God. This is true for all people validly entering marriage, be they Hindu or athiest. And, as a previous poster pointed out, if the spouses are baptized, the civil marriage is also sacramental.

It should go without saying that not all attempts at marriage that are recognized by the civil state are actually valid. These sexual relationships (for example, between two men, or between two people who have been divorced multiple times, or between three people, or between a man and women who do not intend marriage for life or who do not intend to ever have children) are neither marriage nor sacred.

 

[cjforJesus]

Well, that’s pretty much it for this post, a simple question: do you believe that civil marriage, understood strictly as a union between a man and a woman, is sacred? People talk about the “sanctity” of marriage, but why would they if they are talking about civil marriage, which is non-sacramental in nature?

Civil marriage is in essence a legal contract in which the state takes great interest.

As far as being “sacred” I am not sure how to define that in the context you are asking.It literally means set apart for God.

I believe two validly baptised people who enter into a valid union would be considered in a sacramental or sacred union. That is the Church’s definition though and not necessarily society.

 

[nodito]

If you mean, is it valid, then I should have to say no, because, as Catholics, we believe that only God can bond people together spiritually in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

No, this is not true. Two non-Catholics with no impediments marry validly when they marry civilly. If they are baptized Christians, their marriage is also sacramental, even if it occurs in the courthouse.

 

[porthos11]

I’m talking about non-Christians especially: if two non-Christians get married in a courthouse, is that a sacred bond?

Yes, because even this would be a valid, natural marriage. Because of this exclusive nature and the fact that even natural marriage is instituted by God, it remains a sacred bond.

 

[Kelfa28]

Not all civil marriages are valid and therefore they are not sacred or sacramental (I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “sacred”).

However, if a man and a woman marry and they are both not baptized and this is their first attempt at marriage…then it is valid, sacramental and sacred.

It is recognized by the Church and it is a sacred bond that isn’t any different then a Sacramental marriage by a Catholic man and woman making the same attempt.

It doesn’t matter what their faith is.

 

[nodito]

Not all civil marriages are valid and therefore they are not sacred or sacramental (I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “sacred”).

However, if a man and a woman marry and they are both not baptized and this is their first attempt at marriage…then it is valid, sacramental and sacred.

It is recognized by the Church and it is a sacred bond that isn’t any different then a Sacramental marriage by a Catholic man and woman making the same attempt.

It doesn’t matter what their faith is.

If the parties are both baptized, it is sacramental. Baptism is a pre-requisite for all other sacraments, so if one of the parties is not baptized, the valid marriage is not sacramental.

 

[mikekle]

I still struggle with WHY all these LGBT people want to get married, after all, marriage is a RELIGIOUS thing, most of them want nothing to do with any religion, I realize most are doing it for the legal/tax benefits to marriage though, so its not really about marriage, in the way religious people view it.

Seems to me, a totally non-religious couple could be just as happy and in love if they just lived as if they were married, lived together, shared expenses, money, etc without actually doing the act of marriage. I just wonder how many fights there would be if there was no monetary/legal/tax benefits to marriage.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Someone earlier wasn’t sure what I meant by “sacred.” We are always talking about the sanctity of marriage when defending traditional marriage, but since (educated guess here) around half of all marriages in the U.S.A. are not sacramental, then the expression “let’s defend the sanctity of marriage” would mean that we belief that all opposite-gender marriage is sacred.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

I’m talking about non-Christians especially: if two non-Christians get married in a courthouse, is that a sacred bond?

Well, what do you mean by “sacred” in this context. I often hear the word used to imply some connection with God or something religious. If that’s the usage for sacred when talking about Marriage as used within the Catholic church than I don’t think that translate well (or at all) to secular terms.

If you are using the word to ask if it’s important to someone then the answer will vary with the individuals. Civil marriage has been motivated by many different things including social status, fear of being alone, access to resources/money/better life, or even something that a person sees as being something to just do in what ever life patterns that s/he conforms too. Some of those involved might see it as important or not so important. There might not be a singular answer that applies to everyone.

Others that are not Catholic don’t necessarily view Marriage as a sacrament and may view it as a social/legal construct only.

 

[kozlosap]

My parents got married on the steps of the courthouse in Reno in 1943. They had known each other six weeks. Dad was a Polish Catholic and Mom was a Southern Baptist from the deep South. Their civil marriage was far more sacred than most marriages I have ever observed. They were madly in love until the second my Mama died in 1979. My Sis and I were raised Catholic. In their 36 years together they had four kids - one died at 8 days old when a staph infection infected the newborn nursery at the maternity Hospital and 6 babies died in 1945. On Christmas Eve 1951 my three year old brother died in an iron lung from polio. (Don’t get me going on the fools who think that immunizations are not needed) Their love for each other and for their family was amazing. So sacred vs civil = it depends on the couple. Looking down on those who “only” have a civil marriage is not quite charitable in many ways.