How important is the sanctity of marriage to most Americans? Is Fidelity becoming a thing of the past?
489036
Fidelity, Is very important to marriage. Fidelity is to Marriage, as Daily watering and care, is to a bouquet. The different flowers, greenery, ribbons, and vase, and decorations all come together to make a work of art. Many from near and far enjoy the idea, look, smell, touch, and emotions, of the entire bouquet. It is possible to survive and still appear OK without the main fidelity of care and watering for a time. With care the almost dead bouquet can be revived. But as with a tree the lines of drought will forever remain in the trunk or stems. The bouquet is forever altered with infidelity. The affection of long term commitment can still be something like a lovely dried bouquet. But the real living till you die beauty is rare. But so very special when found. I am an American, and resent it when other nationalities have approached me believing I was easy and desperate simply because I was American. I believe it is very important if you want the rare work of art that generations of the future will look back at with awe.
751581
Per the Judeo/Christian Bible, "no."\nBut most people who claim themselves to be Christian in this country don't practice what they preach.  The rate of divorce alone demonstrates that point.  From a "civil" perspective, why not?  They can't do any worse than what the heterosexuals have done.\nFrom my own perspective, "no."
1126512
No. It doesn't make any difference. Marriage isn't about 'trial and error', it is about making a commitment to each other, regardless of what happens. If you can't make that commitment, then don't get married. People who aren't married don't act the same as people that sign the contract. Living together isn't marriage. (until the common law period of time kicks in, then you actually ARE married, and you don't have to worry about it anymore).
938882
The definition of 'marriage' varies from culture to culture, century to century, nation to nation. In other words, there is no SINGLE valid defition. It varies. Here's a radical thought: Decide what marriage means TO YOU and to the person YOU LOVE and then act accordingly.\n\nBy the way, the same is true for 'sin'. It's all relative to who is talking. Opinions differ and no one can say who's right or wrong.
1013239
I understand. I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t married, but let me share some of the things I have learned in almost 20 years:\n\n1) Courtship is important. And long courtships are best. In our fast-paced world, especially as young adults, we are always rushing around. The best way to divorce-proof a marriage begins before you ever meet your mate-to-be, during the dating process. Serial dating, especially when it involves premarital sex, is a course in how to get divorced. We end up hooking up and then when things go sour we run away. Don’t get involved with someone who isn’t a friend. And date at least 2 – 3 years before getting married. That way you can get over the initial 18 month crush where everything about the other person is fascinating and the whole infatuated view of “The way you eat is so cute – it sounds like bells ringing,” to “If you clang your fork off of your teeth again I’m gojng to shove it through the back of your throat.” Not kidding – real conversation between my wife & I in the first year. I’m glad to say she never jammed the fork through my throat and I learned to use my lips as a cushion between my fork & teeth. \n\n2) Keep Christ at the center of your marriage. It seems obvious, but it is essential. Every time you notice that ring on your finger, pray for your spouse. It doesn't have to be long or even audible. Just a quick mental thanks to God for your mate, or a quick thought of, "God be with her/him." \n\n3) Love is NOT give and take. There is no take in love. Read 1 Cor. 13 (the love chapter). Love is giving. I give to my wife. She gives to me. If both are giving no one needs to take. Develop this mindset and remember that this is what marriage is meant for. Eph 5 takes a lot of heat for telling wives to submit to their husbands. But it also tells husbands to submit to their wives. Give + give = love. Give + take = selfishness = unhappy = divorce.\n\n4) Never use derogatory names for each other, even in fun. Husbands, if you call your wife "old lady" that is what you will see in her over time. I call my wife "my bride", especially when I am upset with her. That way I remember that wedding day, all those dreams, etc.\n\n5) When kids are involved it is easy to place them in front of your spouse. While time with kids is important & shouldn't be neglected, those kids will grow up & move out one day. Your mate will still be there and you'll need something else to talk about besides the kids. Make a habit of dating. Guys, even ask your wife out on a date. Arrange the babysitter. Often couples in church can provide a wonderful service for each other by trading Fridays (or whatever day is appropriate).\n\n6) Get to know and socialize with an older Christian couple or two who have a happy long-term marriage. Learn from how to treat each other from them. Remember that we all face similar adaptation issues when we are first married & they have worked those issues out. Talk with them about what they had to work out in either early married years and how they resolved things. This can be one of the biggest benefits you ever have, especially if you come from a divorced family or a family with strained relations.\n\n7) It may seem obvious but pray together. Have individual quite times, but have a shared quite time as well, at least once a week. And no matter how much you think it will hurt or bother your mate, talk. Holding it in doesn't make it go away - it only makes it fester until you explode all over each other. Talk and if agreement needs intervention, see your pastor or a Christian counselor.\n\nMarriage is very frightening - especially for those of us who came out of dysfunctional families. But the single biggest cause of dysfunction in my experience (and in my family) was selfishness. Give to each other & to the Lord, and you too can have a happy marriage. God bless you & best wishes!
91859
absolutely not!!! i was raised in a conservative christian home and i rebelled when i moved out on my own. i now regret that i will not be able to share that with my husband when i marry. there is nothing wrong with being different. it takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in and caving in to pressure is not a good reason to do anything and will only make you regret any choice you make under pressure more. anybody can cave to pressure, it takes strength and courage to go against the mainstream.
400390
Yes, because standards in today's society are not emphasizing the fact that you should be married to have sex. Everything is much more free-spirited, and do whatever you want kind of attitudes.
783301
Unequivocally NO! If they chose that life style then so be it, but as far as benefits are concerned out of the question.  Societies fall from moral decay and that is a fact, and ours is well on it's way, I do believe all this gay and lesbian stuff is about to blow up in their faces.  It is a life style that destroys the vary meaning of marriage between a man and a woman, In my opinion they are an insult to humanity.  I believe it is time our religious leaders and government gives these people a loud and clear message that the party is over and will not be condoned by our society.
148414
Maybe I look at this slightly differently than most people, but it almost boils down to a business transaction to me.  Marriage means being able to make medical decisions on behalf of your SO should something happen. It also means being jointly responsible for things like mortgages, car loans and other financial transactions. \n\nGranted, marriage should not be about these things alone. It should be a vow to be with the person you love forever(but you don't need a piece of paper to do this).  That's a very important part of marriage, but so is being protected should the union disolve or should one partner pass away.
772719
It depends on exactly what you're asking here. Will you have the right to wed openly and have your spouse guaranteed the same benefits as a partner in a heterosexual marriage? If that's your question, I would say probably not. The Christian right still has its claws on the balls of government. Separation of church and state is a convenient illusion. G.W. is an evangelical Christian. He opposes everything about gays, including their right to love whomever they want. As far as you have come in assuring that you will be treated equally in America, you have that far to travel yet again. Good luck.
1066092
Great question! I wish more people would take the vows more seriously this really needs to be done! Would be a much better world if they did and if they truley meant the vows when they sad them before God! People are selfish and are always trying to change the other person instead of being unselfish and trying to change themselves to be the spouse they need to be for each other! If people would grasp what real love and commitment is marriage statistics for divorce would be way lower! What is going on here is hard hearts and selfish people not wanting to stick things out and work on them! People are lazy today and want everything in life to be easy but nothing in life is easy! People dont take their vows seriously and that is scary and sad! There should be not exception to the rules and the word divorce should not even be in the marriage dictionary!
700507
I honestly don't understand what the big deal is!  Men and women get married to procreate, or that is what marriage was originally created for.  So, why is it SO important for gays to marry?  They can't procreate.  Do they really need a special piece of paper to commit eternally to each other?  I really can't understand why it is SUCH A BIG DEAL!!  I say let's abolish marriage all together, then everyone can be happy.  50 - 60% of marriages don't last any more, so why bother?   WHAT IS THE BIG DAMN DEAL????
293001
I think society in the US is selfish and materialistic.  In general, we tend to judge by looks, not by the inner beauty.  We look for convenience as we tend to be lazier.  This once Christian nation is now more heathen than it ever has been.  We are a lost culture who picks up anything that sounds good to them and agrees with what they believe.  The fact that we are more acceptant of homosexuality, divorce, affairs, pornography, etc., shows how lost and shameless we are.  It is really sad to see where we came from (the founding of America and the writers of the Declaration of Independence and how far we have fallen.  It is truly sad to see what we have become.
66373
What is up with people!!  Is Marriage all of a sudden just a option??!!
170710
If you're not sure, then don't. Marriage is a big step and commitment. You don't want to half-a$$ it.
265162
A couple theories here.Decades ago as unromantic as it sounds, women had more things to tie them to a marriage. Along with love, women usually weren't highly educated as they are today and most likely did not work out of the house. They were financially dependent on the husband.Also they had kids early in the marriage which solidified that bind even more. In todays society we are go-getters, we are educated, more often than not women are out there making the money and don't need the man to provide for them. WE also take responsibility for our reproduction and sexuality. We decide when we are ready to have a baby and don't just do it out of pressure to start a family. Also, women have more access to birth control methods that werent advertised decades ago.So sometimes we aren't as dependent on the man and have a desire to get out of the marriage and have the resources to actually do it. Also, marriages tend to last shorter because divorce has become more acceptable in our society. Not like decades before when you were looked at like scum if you had a divorce. Several reasons that marriages don't last. But there are always the ones that stand the test of time. I love my husband and would like to say our marriage will be the one that does last but in the society we live in today you just never ever know.
676874
I believe thats partly the problem in todays society where it seems no-one has RESPECT for anyone or anyones feelings anymore.. marriage or relationships henestly mean nothing like they use to... easier to get out of it rather than work at it, majority of people are all conceited and only think of themselves, so in other words, nobody cares!!