Questions tagged [marriage]

Use this tag for questions about attitudes and doctrines regarding marriage. For questions relating specifically to same-sex marriage and polygamy, use the appropriate tags.

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Are Jehovah's Witnesses allowed to marry outside the faith?

Some Christian denominations allow their members to marry whomever they please, others discourage it, and others just don't allow it (you are either disfellowshipped or the church refuses to perform ...
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61 votes
6 answers
32k views

The Bible seems to allow polygamy. Why doesn't the church? [closed]

In Exodus 21:10 and Deuteronomy 21:15-16 (among many other passages), it talks about polygamy as if it were acceptable. Indeed, there are several holy men (Abraham and Solomon come to mind offhand) ...
Richard's user avatar
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14 votes
4 answers
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What are the stipulations for a mixed marriage to be valid in the Catholic Church?

If a devout Catholic woman wants to marry a Baptist man, what what must be made to make the marriage valid to the Catholic Church if they have both gone though the Catholic wedding preparation but ...
user13827's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
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Marriage invalid. Would a church annulment require a state annulment or state divorce?

This question may be wrong. I think the right question is in the following link: How do Filipino Catholics get a church annulment when their state marriage is valid, considering the Philippines doesn&#...
BCLC's user avatar
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-3 votes
2 answers
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How do Filipino Catholics get a church annulment when their state marriage is valid, considering the Philippines doesn't have divorce?

My previous questions were kind of wrong: Why is it harder for Filipino Catholics to get a church annulment? Marriage invalid. Would a church annulment require a state annulment or state divorce? ...
BCLC's user avatar
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22 votes
3 answers
8k views

What is the Biblical basis against inter-faith marriages?

Setting aside marriages of couples from two different Christian denominations, what passages in the New Testament prohibit a Christian from marrying a non-Christian? I believe that the Old Testament ...
Beofett's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
12k views

Do divorced non-Catholics need an annulment to marry in the Catholic Church?

Here's something I've got no idea about. In the case where one party is married in a Baptist Church but divorced and the other party has no encumbrances. Barring quarrelsome arguments I can't answer ...
Peter Turner's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
588 views

Is a Catholic annulment divorce in a Catholic way?

During an interview with America and La Nación – Argentina’s leading daily, in a response to a question , Cardinal Walter Kasper said This marriage was a reality, and to say it was canonically ...
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2 votes
3 answers
791 views

How did the "dubia cardinals" accuse and respond to Pope Francis's «Amoris Lætitia»?

How did the "dubia cardinals" accuse and respond to Pope Francis's Amoris Lætitia?
Geremia's user avatar
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26 votes
3 answers
6k views

What does the bible say about interracial marriages? [closed]

This has been a popular topic of debate, at least where I live. As Armenians, we like to...discourage marriages with spouses of a different ethnicity or nationality, simply in order to carry the ...
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13 votes
2 answers
1k views

According to Catholic teaching, was Joseph and Mary's marriage a true marriage?

Well, I've read in several articles, and if not mistaken also in canon law, for a marriage to be valid, there has to be consummation (intercourse). However, since, if I'm not mistaken, by Catholic ...
An old man in the sea.'s user avatar
13 votes
2 answers
4k views

Are Catholics allowed to leave marriage in order to become a monk or nun?

In the catholic doctrine, is it allowed to leave a marriage and become a monk or nun? Are there any magisterial documents that treat this topic? Edit: Are there any options e.g. for a specific ...
Karel Macek's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
29k views

Does the Roman Catholic church recognize marriages outside of the church?

I'm curious about the status of marriages performed outside the auspices of the church. For example, if a non Catholic converts to the Roman church, but was married beforehand, does it "count". Based ...
Affable Geek's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
1k views

How should a Christian respond to "Does this dress me look fat?"? [closed]

If your wife asks, "Does this dress make me look fat?" And you think it does, but you tell her, "Of course not, honey!" Is that a sin?
Jim G.'s user avatar
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According to traditional Catholicism, what is the spiritual solution for the divorcee who hasn't had their marriage annulled?

There has been quite a bit of controversy over what is becoming known as 'modern Catholicism' (post-Vatican II) and 'traditional Catholicism' (pre-Vatin II). 'Modern Catholicism' thought generally ...
Manwe Elder's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
279 views

Why is it not that a state divorce is actually an argument AGAINST a church annulment petition rather than a necessary condition for such petition?

Note: This question may be wrong. I think the right question is in the following link: How do Filipino Catholics get a church annulment when their state marriage is valid, considering the Philippines ...
BCLC's user avatar
  • 360
-2 votes
2 answers
311 views

Why do Filipino Catholics have a harder time to get a church annulment?

This question may be wrong. I think the right question is in the following link: How do Filipino Catholics get a church annulment when their state marriage is valid, considering the Philippines doesn&#...
BCLC's user avatar
  • 360
21 votes
3 answers
40k views

Is there any account of a religious marriage ceremony in the scripture?

I was studying the Puritans recently, and discovered something interesting about William Bradford. According to Wikipedia, he married his wife in a civil ceremony, because "the Separatists could find ...
Kyle Willey's user avatar
18 votes
1 answer
1k views

What does the LDS Church (Mormon) teach about marriage and polygamy in the afterlife?

I have heard or read something that the LDS church teaches that there will be marriage and even polygamy in the after life for people who are good Mormons. Is this available for all people are just a ...
Narnian's user avatar
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16 votes
8 answers
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Does the act of sex constitute marriage in God's eyes? [closed]

I came across this verse today (bold added): 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 (NASB) 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them ...
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10 votes
4 answers
2k views

Should Christians marry non-Christians? [closed]

The new testament talks of not being yoked with unbelievers - 2 Corinthians 6:14 "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers." The old testament forbids intermarriage with other nations - ...
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9 votes
1 answer
912 views

What is the Biblical basis against the existence of one "ideal" spouse for each person?

What is a Biblical rebuttal of the belief that there is one right person (a soulmate) to be your spouse?
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Has the notion of "legitimacy" been abandoned in the Catholic Church?

This isn't a question about pastoral advice, but it is being asked on behalf of a friend who is worried that her children will become illegitimate if her marriage is annulled and all I can find to ...
Peter Turner's user avatar
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8 votes
5 answers
24k views

What happens to marriage on the New Earth [closed]

I think I can safely say that humans were designed not to operate as a single solitary person but as part of a unit of two -- both as referenced by Gen 3:16-17 (see mentions of husband and wife in ...
RCIX's user avatar
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8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Transition from a natural to a sacramental marriage

Please note: This question is not based on a real world case. I am not looking for pastoral advice but for a clearer understanding of the catholic position on marriage. As far as I understand the ...
David Woitkowski's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
23k views

Why is there no marriage in Heaven? [closed]

Why did Jesus said there is no marriage in Heaven? Mark 12:25 NIV When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Is it because ...
Sehnsucht's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is there any connection between minimum age for marriage in Catholic Church and tradition about Mary's age at Annunciation?

According to Canonic law, the minimum age for marryage to be valid for girls is fourteen (it can be and usually is higher for the marriage not to be illicit): Can. 1083 §1. A man before he has ...
Pavel's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
9k views

Which kind of relations are considered incestous in Christianity?

My question, in strict propriety, is specifically what kind of relationships are defined as incestuous in Christianity? I am guessing that it is forbidden to marry one's parents/children or siblings ...
Fixed Point's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
252 views

What role does the Vatican play in marriage annulments?

I've heard that every annulment must go through the Vatican in some capacity. Does every annulment get reviewed by some tribunal there or is it just a rubber stamp for the tribunal of the diocese from ...
Peter Turner's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
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What are the necessary circumstances that qualify a marriage for annulment in the Catholic Church?

I understand that the Catholic Church issues annulments under certain circumstances for some marriages. What are the specific circumstances necessary to qualify a marriage for an annulment? I'm ...
Narnian's user avatar
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5 votes
5 answers
332k views

Clarification of what sexual immorality is? [closed]

to my understanding the following is what comprises Sexual immorality. Male homosexuality, incest, adultery, and bestiality. I want to know if oral sex is included even if it's done in marriage?
Paddington's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is virginity more meritorious than marriage, according to St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7? [closed]

Is, according to St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7, the state of virginity more meritorious than that of marriage? Catholics think it is, and some (all?) Protestants think it is not. Why? For example, the ...
Geremia's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
232 views

Multiple marriages and divorces

I have been married 3 times and divorced twice. My 3rd husband died of cancer. All marriages were not in the Catholic Church. Now returning to my Catholic faith after 4 decades, am I allowed to ...
Lois Cashell's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
347 views

Why did the Blessed Virgin Mary marry?

According to Catholicism, why did the Blessed Virgin Mary, who intended to remain a virgin, marry St. Joseph?
Geremia's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
121 views

When did the Catholic Church first prohibit bishops from remarrying?

We see the exhortation of St. Paul at 1 Timothy 3: 1-3: The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
606 views

Can step-siblings marry in Catholicism?

(Ok this is gonna be weird but a cursory look doesn't turn up any credible sources.) I'm asking because of my previous question: According to Catholicism, can "co-parents-in-law" marry? I ...
BCLC's user avatar
  • 360
-4 votes
3 answers
245 views

According to Christians who believe that God is a utilitarian, why is homosexuality suboptimal? [closed]

I'm addressing this question to Christians who believe that God is a utilitarian, that is, that God has designed His creation and attempts to guide His creatures with the aim of maximizing some divine ...
Mark's user avatar
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23 votes
4 answers
3k views

How would Reformed Christians deal with homosexual marriage of individuals prior to their conversion to Christianity?

I've been pondering this for several weeks and I believe that the reformed church (really, the church in general) is woefully unprepared to answer the following question: How would the church deal ...
wax eagle's user avatar
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19 votes
6 answers
10k views

What are the practical applications of "two will become one flesh"? [closed]

Mark 10:8 (NIV) and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What does this mean for a marriage? What are the practical applications of this? Obviously, this is ...
Richard's user avatar
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16 votes
2 answers
1k views

Did Martin Luther ever admit that his approval of Philip's bigamy was wrong?

I recently learned that in 1540, Martin Luther secretly approved of the bigamous marriage of Philip of Hesse. Philip had married for political purposes, and then fell in love with someone else. ...
Nathaniel is protesting's user avatar
14 votes
1 answer
747 views

What happened to the wives of priests when celibacy was first instituted in the Catholic church?

Since priests were not originally expected to be celibate, many must have been married when celibacy was first introduced. So what happened to the wives during this time when the institution started?
Mike's user avatar
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13 votes
3 answers
62k views

How old were Joseph & Mary when they marrried?

A nun in my Catholic school taught us that Mary was 14 and Joseph was 17 and that this was not atypical for the day. Also that in Joseph's case his Marriage to Mary was his second. Would there be any ...
user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
6k views

Last married pope?

Catholics regard Peter as the first pope. In the gospel we learn that Peter's mother-in-law was healed, thus Peter was married. On the other hand, today the popes are never married and married men ...
David Woitkowski's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the case in favour of adelphopoiesis as a relationship akin to marriage?

I've seen a few things lampooning John Boswell's interpretation of adelphopoiesis as a quasi civil union between men. However, I've not seen much on his side other than it being used by Christian gay ...
Reluctant_Linux_User's user avatar
11 votes
9 answers
1k views

How can Christians reconcile the request to prohibit same-sex marriage and the lawfulness of homosexuality itself?

Assuming one believes that the bible is the word of god, believes that the bible says homossexuality is wrong (or commonly quoted, an abomination), and because of that gays should not marry, how come ...
Gus Cavalcanti's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
151k views

What are the Biblical reasons for getting married?

The basis for this question comes from a conversation I had with a friend. She said to me 'The only reason that two people should get together and get married is because they can do more for the ...
A. Still's user avatar
  • 404
10 votes
4 answers
8k views

Can a non-Catholic receive Baptism (to formally marry a Catholic), without converting to the Catholic faith?

I am a practicing Catholic who wishes to marry my Buddhist girlfriend. For the marriage to be a valid sacrament in the eyes of the Church, she must be baptized as a Catholic - something she would be ...
Puzzled's user avatar
  • 101
10 votes
3 answers
685 views

What is the rationale for forbidding priests to marry in traditions where already-married men are allowed to become priests?

As everyone knows, married men are unable to be ordained as priests in the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, nor are priests allowed to get married for as long as they remain priests. This is ...
Mr. Bultitude's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
21k views

Does the Old Testament law prohibit marriage among step siblings?

I ask because I'm trying to understand whether the prohibition against sibling marriage is due to genetic or emotional reasons. Suppose Bob and Alice marry, have a daughter Eve, and some years later ...
abc's user avatar
  • 135
10 votes
11 answers
27k views

What does "two becoming one flesh" refer to? [closed]

In the Bible, when it refers to “two becoming one flesh”, does it mean that the physical act of sex creates a position where both bodies are connected? or the flesh (DNA) from the man and and the ...
Albert Renshaw's user avatar