Is marriage........a pious relationship or just a contractual agreement?

I believe it to be a pious relationship, but there are many others who do not. Some people get married because they are at "that age" where they think they should be for family or religious reasons. Some people marry for money, so they may not have to work again in their lives. In my opinion, the pious relationship is losing its value in the eyes of many people as religion is becoming "uncomfortable" to talk about. It doesn't have the place in peoples' lives that it once had. I do not believe in the "expiration date." My grandparents just celebrated their 50th anniversary. It is almost unheard of in these times. Almost everyone gets divorced at the first sign of trouble in the relationship. rouble or hardship doesn't mean the relationship has lost piety, it just means that we are human and need to try and work things out, together.

I will start out by saying that I am in NO way a pious person. Let it also be known that I'm not a "bad person." I love children, animals, the environment; I don't smoke, drink, or sleep around.

HOWEVER, I strongly oppose this "7 year expiration" idea. I heard about it on BBC radio and was totally appalled. Marriage is about love and commitment. If you don't want to stay committed, don't get married! There are other options. A couple CAN just live together if they aren't 100% sure. I don't believe marriage is a pious relationship or a contractual agreement, but I DO believe that it is a serious commitment and if you don't think you can spend the rest of your life with that person, again, don't get married!

PS - I gave you a star because this is a good question! It will be very provoking, I'm sure!

Personally I am a believer in a pious marriage.

With the ease of divorce these days in some cases it is worthwhile to have a contractual marriage, so a man/woman can't be taken to the cleaners by the other, in the case of a breakdown.

I do not see the need of the policy Pauli advocates, I think it may increase the rate of divorce.

I agree with you that many couples take their marriage as a contractual agreement. It's true that many of them pretend having sincere feelings towards each other. But there is no a true love here. I agree too with Gabriele Pauli about the auto expiration. About me, I don't want mend fence with my husband after 23 years of marriage.

Contractual

Marriage is both.

If you get married by the state then its a contractual agreement between the parties involved in which by agreeing to the terms you receive specific benefits. It also is why states can still argue a legitamite claim to restricting gay marriages because the state has a right to regulate contracts.

Then there is the more spiritual aspect to marriage. Its a commitment 2 people make to each other and its up to the individual couples to determine what that really means. Some people treat marriage like its just playing house. Mormons believe that if your marriage is sealed in their temples that the marriage is binding for time and all eternity.

Most people make sure their spiritual marriage is still legally recognized so they are really practicing both.

Personally I don't think marriage is necessary to have a stable, and loving home, for a couple, and children. I think it is a very personal thing between the couple, some people are meant to marry where as other don't want or feel the need.

If a couple does decide to get hitched then comes what the family wants in the wedding, and the money spent on it. Now a days it is ridiculous. Money that could go towards other investments like a new home, or higher education.

I think it's important to realise the reason for the institution (of marriage).

It is primarily to provide a safe & stable environment in which to bring up children, I think, culturally / sociologically speaking.

As such, a father (or a potential one) plays an important role.

I think the Bible (Old Testament) says the sins of the father recur upto the 3rd generation, or something like that.

Others may see it karmically.

I'd hate to think how I'd have turned out if my Dad didn't honour / value his marriage to my mother.

If (for biological reasons) children are not possible, then this is less of an issue.

If not, from my standpoint, why should a man get married?

I know it's more complicated than that, or can be, but this is just an alternative view.

i. c.

Both or just a contractual agreement depending on the two people marrying. a marriage is not always pious, but it is always a contractual agreement between two or more individuals.

As an atheist, I don't feel it is solely a pious relationship, though for some it is. Nor is it just a contract. When I make a vow to someone, it is a promise I can truly keep. I made my vows fully believing that I could respect and love my husband all my life. i guess for me it is sort of an eternal companionship based on deep love for one another. My husband is so close to me he reads me with a glance, and we often finish each others sentences. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way.