Marriage

• The purpose of marriage is to form a lifelong relationship. Marriage is the proper outlet for sexual desire and activity. In the eyes of God you have "become one flesh" together. This is a self-giving relationship of mutual reciprocity. You support and care for one another. Vows: 'for richer for poorer' and 'until death do us part.'
• The purpose of marrriage is to start a family. An example being, Genesis says "Be fruitful and multiply". Therefore, Christians should get married in order to start a family with somebody they love, and to then raise children together.
• Marriage is a physical and spiritual union which is a loving relationship. The purpose of marriage is to love and care for your partner for life. For example, St Paul says "Husbands, love your wives...". this commands husbands to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church. It emphasises unconditional love, care, and respect within marriage.
• Marriage is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is a sacred covenant involving God. Therefore, it is very spiritually important. For example, the Catechism says "God himself is the author of marriage". This means you can learn and grow as a Christian through marriage, completing commitments such as reproduction.
• The quote "What God has joined, let no one separate" shows that Christians believe marriage is special and should last forever. Marriage is a sacred union created by God, and nobody should try to break that apart. This emphasises the importance of honoring and preserving the commitment made between spouses, guided by the belief that their union is blessed and ordained by God Himself.