Marriage and its Main Purpose

[meltzerboy]

With the legalization of gay marriage in New York State, there has been a lot of discussion about what is marriage and whether gay marriage is moral or immoral.
This topic and that of homosexuality in general have been vigorously debated on many other threads. So my question is about heterosexual marriage. According to your religious views–whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Shintoist, Confucian, Wiccan, Voodoo, Pagan, or of another faith–and/or personal views, what is the main purpose of marriage? I’ll start the discussion by stating that according to Orthodox (Torah) Judaism, the main purpose of marriage is NOT procreation or sexual pleasure, although both of these are very important, but love and companionship.

 

[adstrinity]

In Catholicism, the main purpose of marriage is to have children so that they may recieve Holy Communion and be in Heaven with God.

Another reason to marry is to help your spouse into Heaven.

Third, not that this is a reason, but, marriage is a foreshadowing of Heaven, Jesus with His Bride, the Church (God with His Bride, Israel).

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Third, not that this is a reason, but, marriage is a foreshadowing of Heaven, Jesus with His Bride, the Church (God with His Bride, Israel).

Why would this not be a reason? I would say it is the primary reason for matrimony.

Mankind’s central and highest purpose is to give glory to God. In marriage and family life, human beings image the Trinity in a way the angels never could. This inner life of the Trinity which marriage forms a living icon of is also reflected in God’s relationship to the soul, and to the Church as a whole, inasmuch as in Christ we are brought into that divine life.

 

[YankeeRC]

In Catholicism, the main purpose of marriage is to have children so that they may recieve Holy Communion and be in Heaven with God.

Another reason to marry is to help your spouse into Heaven.

Third, not that this is a reason, but, marriage is a foreshadowing of Heaven, Jesus with His Bride, the Church (God with His Bride, Israel).

We also say the in the RCC, marriage is a sacrament, and the sexual act between the married couple is partaking in the sacrament, nothing dirty or shameful about it. Ina very important way procreation fulfills our being created in the Divine Image of our Creator. Even Angels cannot procreate.

Marriage and building of family must also be according to God’s plan for us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain”

In my opinion, love is not enough for marriage. Marriages built on love will fail. Marriage is a contract, a solemn vow. Love is ultimately not a feeling, it is something that must be worked towards all the time by both husband and wife.

 

[Rence]

With the legalization of gay marriage in New York State, there has been a lot of discussion about what is marriage and whether gay marriage is moral or immoral.
This topic and that of homosexuality in general have been vigorously debated on many other threads. So my question is about heterosexual marriage. According to your religious views–whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Shintoist, Confucian, Wiccan, Voodoo, Pagan, or of another faith–and/or personal views, what is the main purpose of marriage? I’ll start the discussion by stating that according to Orthodox (Torah) Judaism, the main purpose of marriage is NOT procreation or sexual pleasure, although both of these are very important, but love and companionship.

For me it’s love and companionship. Though, the Church teaches that married couples must be open to new life, so if I ever do get married, I will be.

 

[adstrinity]

In my opinion, love is not enough for marriage. Marriages built on love will fail. Marriage is a contract, a solemn vow. Love is ultimately not a feeling, it is something that must be worked towards all the time by both husband and wife.

OH! That’s something else the priest said today: That people want love, but, they are not willing to suffer for it (and love demands suffering).

 

[meltzerboy]

Thank you all for your interesting and informative comments on the topic! If any others of different faiths care to comment, you are most welcome to do so.

 

[Marie5890]

I’ll start the discussion by stating that according to Orthodox (Torah) Judaism, the main purpose of marriage is NOT procreation or sexual pleasure, although both of these are very important, but love and companionship.

An honest question here by someone who doesn’t know very much about Orthodox Judaism.

Is the main purpose of love and companionship true historically for Judaism? Looking back anciently to my limited knowledge I don’t get that sense. Women seemed to be more property and many times marriage was a way to make alliances. At least for nobility.
Arranged marriages were the norm, so I don’t see how “love” entered the picture. Security reasons. Women were not able to provide for themselves and marriage protected them and their children

To me I get the sense of “love and companionship” seems to me to be more “recent” in terms of reason people married.

I hope someone with historical factual information can shed light on this. Thanks

 

[Publisher]

God saw that it was not good for man to be alone…so God made humans to share companionship and love with each other. I would not necessarily use Genesis as a model…God first brought the animals to Adam to let him choose one of them as his companion…when Adam could not find a suitible companion…God made woman…almost as an afterthought IF Genesis is read literally.

 

[valentino]

IMO the purpose of marriage is two bring two people closer to God.the reason should be to have a for 2 to want to share their lives together in a special way.Its more than just a real close friendship its also an intimate relationship where they share not only the feelings but also their bodies.They become totally joined and should almost think as one.But only being in union with God and His Church can this relationship achieve its its full potential.The HS unites them in a deeper way than man cannot do by themselves.

 

[Hail_Linus]

I’ll start the discussion by stating that according to Orthodox (Torah) Judaism, the main purpose of marriage is NOT procreation or sexual pleasure, although both of these are very important, but love and companionship.

The Catholic view is essentially based based on Hebrew Scriptures so I would agree with your description with one minor difference. Rather than say NOT for procreation I would say part of the purpose is to be open to procreation. I think you would agree with that. Also, from what I understand Judaism hasn’t actually outlawed polygamy and that it is theologically possible. Catholicism could never accept polygamy because we believe a true marriage is when two become one and to have more than one wife would mean to divide your love.

From the Catholic perspective I think we can find the main purpose for marriage in Genesis.

Genesis 2:23-24 "And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

I find at least three important factors to consider when reading the above verses:

1. 
   *]In Matthew 19: 4-6 Jesus response to the Pharisees’ question regarding the lawfulness of Divorce saying. “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’. So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Jesus is specifically highlighting that the true purpose of marriage is a union so strong that two become one. Only a union based on love can be that strong. Therefore the purpose of marriage is to love.
   
   *]This marriage of Adam and Eve took place before original sin. Since it occurred before original sin we can conclude that the marriage was sinless and completely based on the purest love.
   
   *]In Ephesians 5, Paul also makes reference to Genesis 2:23-25 and also states “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it.” I’d call that love. I also find it interesting that Paul can be distinguished from the Apostles in that he was a theologian. He studied under Rabban Gamaliel who happened to be the President of the Sanhedrin at the time of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Paul’s writings, although inspired by Christianity, were probably also influenced by what he had learned from Gamaliel about Judaism.
   
   I believe the Old testament is clear that best marriages was based on love. I give three examples:
   
   1. 
      *]In the first book of Samuel, we see Elkanah (father of Samuel) with two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. However, he only truly loves Hannah. Even though the term wife is used for both, only one would be considered his wife as Catholics define marriage.
      
      *]Jacob had more than one wife yet it is only Rachael that he truly loves.
      
      *]In the Book of Ruth we have to assume that Mahlon (a Jew) loved Ruth (a Moabite) very much. This Jewish love must have made a big impact on her. After Mahlon died she refused to abandon Naomi (her mother-in-law). Ruth even converts to Judaism.
      
      Something I find interesting is child bearing was unrelated to the love in the marriage. Elkanah loved Hannah even though she had difficulty conceiving. The same applies to the love of Jacob for Rachel. Ruth never even conceived a child with Nahlon.
      
      However, it does seem the polygamy aspect in the Old Testament was for the purpose of making as many children as possible. After all children were an asset in those days and the mortality rate was very high. Polygamy probably disappeared for the same reason it always disappears. As G.K. Chesterton put it “It is intolerable.”

 

[valentino]

With the legalization of gay marriage in New York State, there has been a lot of discussion about what is marriage and whether gay marriage is moral or immoral.
This topic and that of homosexuality in general have been vigorously debated on many other threads. So my question is about heterosexual marriage. According to your religious views–whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Shintoist, Confucian, Wiccan, Voodoo, Pagan, or of another faith–and/or personal views, what is the main purpose of marriage? I’ll start the discussion by stating that according to Orthodox (Torah) Judaism, the main purpose of marriage is NOT procreation or sexual pleasure, although both of these are very important, but love and companionship.

The main purpose of marriage is to bring people closer to God.That applies to everything.Marriage is in no way sinful but some are luckier that they don;t have to marry to get close to God.Marriage is a mystery like life itself.

 

[Sam_777]

what is the main purpose of marriage?

Since Islam allows polygamy and over 8 types of temporary marriages (Misyar, Travel, Misyaaf, Siyahi, Mutah, Urfi, Exchange, Summer), in addition to the future 72 Hours(Virgins) in heavens, then marriage here means “LUST”. :dts: