Marriage

• Marriage - a legal union between a man and a woman (or the same sex) as partners in a relationship
• Same-sex marriage - marriage between partners of the same sex
• Cohabitation - a couple living together and have a sexual relationship but are not married
• For Jews, marriage is more than just a social contract; it is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. It shows that they are in love and committed to each other
• Jews think of their marriage partner as a soulmate and their marriage relationship reveals the love of God for his people of Israel
• The purpose of a Jewish marriage is to provide a secure foundation for the raising family in a stable, loving home. Marriage helps couples to grow spiritually in their faith and draw closer to God
• Many Jews do not agree with cohabitation because they believe a sexual relationship should only occur within marriage. However, some Reform Jews think that cohabitation is not wrong if the couple's commitment to each other is long term and if it is conducted responsibly with love and respect for each other
• Traditional Jewish teachings make it clear that heterosexual marriage is intended by God and is the natural state in which people should live. However, Reform Jews, like some liberal Christians, value the love and commitment of couples who wish to marry, whatever their gender. They accept same-sex marriages
• Buddhism does not view marriage as a religious act or sacred. Marriage is a personal choice that a couple make for themselves
• Sex before marriage is not forbidden in Buddhism. For many Buddhists the most important thing is to live by the five moral precepts, and to make sure that sexual acts are respectful and loving
• Most Buddhists would regard adultery as unskillful because it breaks trust and dishonesty
• Adultery - the act of having sexual relations with someone other than one's spouse (wife or husband)
• Most Christians believe marriage is important. They also think that it is a gift from God and a covenant between God and the couple.
• • Many Christians believe that the main purpose of marriage is to honour God by following His command to leave their parents and become husband and wife: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh," (Mathew 19:4-6)
• Some Christians believe that marriage is a sacrament, a lifelong union blessed by God, that reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus, and a covenant before God in which the couple promises to live faithfullytogether until death
• Christians believe that marriage is a spiritual bond of trust that reflects the love of God
• For Christians,the purpose of marriage is to provide a stable, secure environment for family life. It is the proper place to enjoy a sexual relationship, bring up children within a religious faith and provide lifelong support and companionship for a partner
• Christians who are opposed to sex before marriage believe cohabitation is sinful. However, Protestant Christians accept this although marriage is best, people may live together in a faithful, loving and committed way without being married