Marriage

• In the earliest days of the Church, Christians were expected to either marry or remain celibate. Marriage became the norm for almost anyone
• Marriage was seen as a sacrament and raising a family was regarded as a vocation- this is still the view of the Catholic Church. If couples divorce, they may not remarry because in the eyes of God and the Church they are still married. Only if an annulment is given, can a Catholic 'remarry'
• Protestant Churches see marriage as an ordinance and not as a sacrament. Divorce and remarriage are therefore accepted, though those who remarry may be expected first to admit their failure and show their intent to live in their new marriage as God would wish
• Western society is very different from what it was even 50 years ago and this challenges some of the traditional views of marriage
• Challenge to traditional views of marriage:

  The idea that an important purpose of marriage is procreation; nowadays marriage is more about a relationship than having children
• Challenge to traditional views of marriage:

  Many marriages are civil ceremonies with no religious element whatsoever
• Challenge to traditional views of marriage:

  Divorce is much more common now and many people may be unwilling to live celibate lives after divorce
• Challenge to traditional views of marriage:

  Same-sex marriage and the adoption of children by same-sex couples are both legally permissible