Are there any non-religious associated groups out there that recognize the sanctity of marriage?

Question

Growing up in a forced catholic situation, I always held the teachings of the church to be "true" however skewed the word. But when I went to college my freshman year and learned about other cultures, I completely rejected my religious upbringings.

There were a lot of things I abandoned, but I still recognize the wisdom and quality of traditional marriage in the sense that 2 people do not engage in sexual relations before marriage, period. I was wondering, is there any non-denominational group or groups that can help me explore this idea further?

Answer 1

You are confusing unrelated things.  Pre-marital s*x does not make a marriage any less sanctified, and "traditional marriage" has nothing to do with the sanctity of marriage.

"Wisdom and quality" also have nothing to do with sanctity.  Read the dictionary.

Anyone who gets married without having explored their sexual compatibility is not wise, to put it mildly.

Answer 2

God, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate—and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: "I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery." (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry.

In addition, the Bible's words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation. Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?

One is willful nonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children. The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life "has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith." (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.

Another is extreme physical abuse. So then, if a mate physically abuses his wife, the victim may separate. (Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7) "Anyone loving violence [God's] soul certainly hates."—Psalm 11:5.

Another ground for separation is the absolute endangerment of a believer's spirituality—one's relationship with God. When a mate's opposition, perhaps including physical restraint, has made it impossible to pursue true worship and has imperiled the believer's spirituality, then some believers have found it necessary to separate.*—Matthew 22:37; Acts 5:27-32.

However, if divorce is pursued under such circumstances, one would not be free to enter a new marriage. According to the Bible, the only legitimate ground for divorce that permits remarriage is adultery or "fornication."—Matthew 5:32.

Allow for mistakes

Since all people are born imperfect, they will make mistakes. (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 1 John 1:8-10) But rather than magnifying mistakes, heed the Bible counsel: "Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) Minor mistakes are best handled by putting them behind us, overlooking them. That can be true of more serious ones too. Colossians 3:12-14 states: "Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also. But, besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union."

How often should we forgive the ordinary mistakes and flaws of our marriage mate? Peter asked Jesus: "'Lord, how many times is my brother to sin against me and am I to forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him: 'I say to you, not, Up to seven times, but, Up to seventy-seven times.'" (Matthew 18:21, 22) Since Jesus was saying this about those outside the marriage bond, how much more is forgiveness needed between marriage partners!

Although the institution of marriage has suffered attack in recent years, in the long run, marriage will survive because it was instituted by God and everything he ordains is "very good." (Genesis 1:31) It will not become outdated. And it can be successful, especially among those who respect and uphold God's commandments. But the challenge is: Will the two individuals hold true to the promise they made on the wedding day to love and to cherish each other? That can certainly be a challenge, and you may have to struggle to come off victorious. But the results will be worth the effort!

Answer 3

Actually, there's not much wisdom to the idea, so I doubt you'll find very many people adhere to it.  Sexual compatibility can often be an important part in a relationship, so it is wise to know how your chemistry with another person is before committing to that person.  While it makes sense not to solely base the success of a relationship on pure sexual chemistry, the other extreme as you have suggested is equally as foolish.  To completely exclude sexuality from the picture of a successful relationship only lends itself to the possibility of problems later on that were disregarded on principle.  This is partly why even those who adhere to some religious practice don't hold abstinence in as high regard as is preached.  Of course, the other part of the general reluctance to successfully embrace abstinence is that sexuality is an inherent biological drive whose suppression is largely unsuccessful no matter what measure is employed.  

Answer 4

I like your name, Choix du Jour.  Most societies get their ideas of morality and legality from the framework of the dominant faith in the society, be it Islam or Christianity or whatever.

Even secular states have that idea.

Besides, I think there are many non-religious people who believe that the union of one man to one woman, to the exclusion of all others, is a guideline that works for them.

I'm not talking about g*y marriage because that is another issue outside the parameters of this question.

Answer 5

You would do well to go to Amazon and do a search for books relating to the history of marriage.  You will find your eyes to be opened, I think.  And kudos to you for your willingness to research ideas outside of those you were raised with!

Answer 6

ALL THE STATE GOVERNMENTS...

Answer 7

there are a few...humanists do...

Answer 8

Humanists.  Pantheists,  Buddhists (Buddhism is a philosophy) etc..

Answer 9

What is wise about two people who have no idea if they're at all sexually compatible getting married?

And "sanctity of marriage" refers to marriage sanctioned by god, so it would have no meaning to someone who doesn't believe in god(s).

(That is not to say that non theists can't take their vows seriously.  It's just that "sanctity of marriage" has an actual religious meaning.)

Answer 10

Only in the realm of religion are things sanctified.

1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.

2. To make holy; purify.

3. To give religious sanction to, as with an oath or vow: sanctify a marriage.

4. To give social or moral sanction to.

5. To make productive of holiness or spiritual blessing.

Non-religious = Non sanctified.

Answer 11

"the wisdom and quality of traditional marriage in the sense that 2 people do not engage in sexual relations before marriage, period."

Right, because it's so much better to learn after the fact that you're trapped in a marriage with someone whose completely selfish / repulsive / inept / uncaring / uninterested / etc in bed.

Answer 12

Marriage doesn't have to be a religious union. It is also a civil union. If you don't want s*x before marriage, that's fine. It has nothing to do with religion. Fornication is against the law in most states.

I don't know of any specific groups, sorry.