Marriage

 My son said to me the other day that he didn’t see the need for getting married.   It made me feel very sad, as every mother dreams of the day when their son or daughter commit themselves to their partner for life through marriage.  Sadly my son’s views are now very common with many couples living together either before getting married or remaining in a defacto relationship as long as the relationship lasts.  To give you some statistics for Australia:
  • The crude marriage rate (the number of marriages for every 1,000 people of the population) fell from 9.3 in 1970 to 5.3 in 2001 and only increasing slightly since then to 5.5 in 2008.  Many marriages end in divorce.
  • In 1975, 16% live together before marriage but by 2008, 78% of those who married had lived together beforehand.
Marriage these days is viewed very differently to a few generations ago.  What was once considered sacred and a lifetime commitment is now viewed as something that will be “as long as it lasts”.  Sadly for many this isn't for very long.  Couples no longer see the importance’s of marriage, believing they are already “committed” by just living together. They also do not see any problem of raising children outside of marriage. This is becoming quite the norm. As Christians we know this is not true and the scriptures provide plenty of examples of why marriage is important, here are just two: And the LORD God said , It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18). and “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favour from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22 ). 

What is interesting (and disturbing for Christians) is that whilst heterosexual couples are not running to the alter and quite content to cohabitant, same-sex couples are fighting to have registered marriages. This is a topic that is appearing across all our newspapers at the moment.  In a recent poll approximately 60% of the population believed that same-sex couple should have the right to marry (44% in 2004) and I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't keep on increasing.  These couples also want to have children (through adopted or artificially inseminated) and demand to have all the same rights as heterosexual couples.

Both side of government in Australia currently oppose same-sex marriages.  The Labor Party stated recently: The position. . . of the Labor Party. . .believe that the Marriage Act should stay in the same way that it is now".  They do no elaborate why they believe this.  Our Conservative Party basically says the same thing. However, their leader did say this "I have never made a political decision based on a religious value. I have always made my decisions as a politician based on what I think are the ordinary, rational considerations that are open to people of all faiths or none.  So, the question would be, why don't they support same-sex marriage when it appears that they aren't basing their decisions on the Bible and according to the Conservative leader doesn't base any of his decisions on the Bible.  I would assume that the Catholic Church has played some role in stopping same sex marriages in Australia as they are a power group in this country.

The Australian Family Association and National Marriage Coalition have called for a National Marriage Day to celebrate the joys and benefits of marriage, they would also like to see some sort of bonus given to those who have long lasting marriages as a reward to recognise their effort. I am not sure about the money side, but a day to celebrate marriage is something worth considering. However, in our secular world, I doubt it would have a Christian focus and would probably be hijacked by lobby groups who support same-sex couples.

What do you think?  Is the world all upside down and doesn't have a clue?  It is certainly dark days and gradually we are becoming fewer and fewer who are willing to say we don't agree because we following the Word of God. He is our instructor and guiding hand and his instruction to us regarding marriage and children are very clear. 

Comments

  1. Hebrews 13:4: Marriage is honourable in all, & the bed undefiled. KJV

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  2. Marriage should be between a man and a woman, period. And living together before marriage is a TERRIBLE mistake. If it worked so well then why has the divorce rate risen so much when more people are living together first?

    But I agree, soon we'll be the minority, if we aren't already.

    "Come quickly Lord Jesus......"

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  3. Since Adam & Eve were created the devil has been intent on causing great grief in marriages - just take the fall as example. To just touch the surface of this example: When God asked both Adam and Eve what was going on - they both blamed someone other than themselves.
    People are still opting for the easy way out - live together etc. Because lets face it marriage requires a lot of effort. And that includes warring against the devil who is still intent to bring any marriage down.

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  4. I asked my dh the question about why the political parties are opposed to same sex marriages and he thinks it's because most Australians don't agree with it!

    On the topic of marriage, I think it's time for our light to shine brighter as the world gets darker!

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  5. Joyfulmum - 60% (very recent poll) of Australians support same sex couples, so I don't think that is the reason - I think there are some powerful lobby groups working behind the scenes to stop it, one being the Catholic Church.

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  6. Jo, I am shocked that 60% of Australians support same sex couples! That tells me a lot about the state of society and where this world is at.

    It is interesting what you said about heterosexual couples preferring defacto relationships, but the 'gays' are wanting to get married! I had never thought about it like that before, but it's true!!

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  7. Jo, I too cannot understand the insistent yelling of the homosexual lobby. Why push for marriage when their peers are rejecting it. Doesn't make sense.

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  8. I think the push for same-sex marriage is only a knee jerk to not be allowed to do it. Like all rebellious children, people want what they cannot have or perceive they are missing out on. Once allowed the victory is won (in their eyes) and perhaps the novelty would wear off. Also, that group want to have the right to have families and see marriage as a foot in the door to that privilege (which should be for the one man, one woman marriage relationship). :-(

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  9. I'd be interested to see that survey which states that 60% of Australians support homosexual and lesbian marriage. Everyone I speak to says they disagree (even friends from a non-christian background).

    I prefer the fact that the LNP have given a reason for their decision to oppose any marriage that is not between a man and a woman.

    Another interesting statistic which I've heard reported quite a few times is that homosexual relationships have a higher rate of failure than hetrosexual (married, de facto, or just 'living together') and I can't see that improving simply because they are legally married.

    Still, you are probably right in saying that the number of people who do support homosexual and lesbian marriage will gradually increase and we will see these couples granted the right to be married and have children in the future.

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  10. Hmmm...first sentence doesn't read right in my comment above. Sorry. I should say, it is a knee jerk reaction to NOT BEING allowed.... etc.

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  11. Jo,

    That is such a good point....while men and women are putting off marriage for a long time or altogether, homosexuals are fighting for this. Yes, we do live in a very upside down world. No fear of God means no wisdom or understanding.

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  12. It sure is an upside-down world. I think the main reason why homosexual marriages are still being opposed is because God is not allowing it yet...Even if most Australians would rather be in a heterosexual relationship, we have had tolerance of everyone's views stuffed down our throats and there is no real logical reason why it is being opposed in politics, apart from God's staying Hand. He is, after all, able to allow whatever He pleases no matter what people think of it!
    I think it's tragic that marriage (the godly way - one man and woman for life) is given such bad rap, has such a bad reputation, and is often avoided... but this is the path the world has chosen to take, and it will get worse yet, I am sure! :(
    Kath is right - the devil would have all marriages destroyed - and most especially Christian marriages because the Bible likens the Christian marriage to the relationship between Christ and His Church (Body/people) - and the devil will do whatever it takes to marr and destroy such a beautiful picture; even as he has done his best to mess up the Church itself through a watering-down and humanising/introduction of the world into Christianity.

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  13. What is worse is that some of them don't think Christians should have the right to speak against the folly.

    Some want to call there lifestyle 'holy'. They seek scriptures to try to defend themselves.

    We don't pick and choose scriptures to legitimize our lusts. We look at all the scriptures and view the big picture of what God says is holy.

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