Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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CHRISTIAN WEDDINGS
Christian religion sets a high value on marriage. The joining of a husband and wife in 'holy matrimony' is thought to reflect the union of Christ with his followers. Christians believe that in their love for each other, married couples will experience and learn from God's love for His creation. In the Gospels, Jesus taught that God's purpose was that marriage should be a lifelong and intimate union. In the Bible it states that:
'In the beginning, at the Creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be made
One with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' The Church has recognised that not everyone is called to marriage, and from early times until the present day some groups have placed a high value on celibacy. Generally Christians believe that there are three reasons for marriage:
: the right relationship for sexual intercourse . the procreation of children
the couple's mutual help and comfort in life. In Britain, most Christians get married in a church service, although some may marry in a registry office.
A. Choosing a partner In most Christian groups it is up to the individual to choose who they wish to marry. However, if the couple want to get married in a church, each Christian denomination will have their own rules.
B. Engagement ceremony In most Christian denominations there is no set ceremony to mark an engagement and whilst it used to be the custom for the prospective husband to formally ask the bride's father for permission to marry his daughter, for many couples this is no longer the case.
C. Wedding Ceremony There is a great deal of diversity within Christian marriage traditions. These will vary from those with many rituals to other groups who celebrate very simply. Two examples are included here one of the Orthodox Church and another Quaker wedding ceremony. One can find many more examples by help of the reference section at the end of the book. Two examples are included in this sections one which is marriage in the Orthodox tradition and the other a description of a Quaker marriage ceremony.
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