Annisa+Ahmed.

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The Guide To Almost Everything About Everything There Is In Marriage.

Author - Annisa Ahmed.
Life is complicated. We live, we die and we strive. Everyone of us is brought into existence and we stay on Earth, take our place in society until it is our to leave, until someone else takes our place. While we live, the ideal concept is that we are born, we learn, we grow, we learn some more, we get married, we... Get married? What exactly is marriage? What are roles of each spouse (or do they even have any)? What does it take for a marriage to work? Are there any rights or restrictions? And, does this thing called ‘love’ influence this idea of ‘marriage’ in any way. These are questions I, Annisa Ahmed, plan to answer, hope to inform you of and get you one step closer to finding the key that unlocks the door to what you are really looking for in life.

 In this edition, you, the consumer, will learn a little more about some of the world's most influential and popular religions that are practiced to today, Christianity and Judaism. Christianity is the belief that Jesus is the son of God, while Judaism that Moses was the one God revealed the commandments to. Both religions have smaller segments, which lead into the same yet different. Like, for instance, Catholics are parts of the Christian faith; they both the same idea, but the have different interpretations of the same text. And, speaking of texts, the two religions have the books that the followers (of that religion) look to as a reference. Jews have the book known as Tanakh and Christians have the Bible.

Marriage according to the all-powerful Merriam-Webster Dictionary means that, "the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law." Let us look at it from a religious perspective and see...

The Bible has a very exact definition of marriage as shown in the quote to our left. It is implied that the quote speaking about how Eve has created. A rib was taken from Adam and Eve (woman) was made and that they were literally made for each other. It was said that "Eve was created to be Adam's other half." In the beginning of the quote, flesh and bones were spoken of, which would would seem to intend to give the reader the reference back to Adam and Eve. It saying that when a man finds his wife, his soul mate, he will leave his family (his mother and father) and start anew (family); that they will become together, that they will become one.

In Christianity, this idea of love also seems to apply. The married couple are to love one another for a thriving relationship. Referring to the quote on the left, two people who have a deep affection towards one another are the same that they become one; two halves to one whole. Love seems to play no part on a religious marriage, seeing love is probably the reason as to why you are getting married in the first place. The quote is acknowledging that, saying you would love your wife (or husband, for that matter) as much as you love yourself. In a way, the quote is saying that the husband must care for his wife. That he is the head in the relationship and make decisions that his wife will follow him, knowing he will make the right decisions.



 "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev. 18:22

As seen in the quote to the left and the quote above, homosexuality is looked upon as sin and is clearly not allowed as practically considered inhuman. In the Bible, it is said that marriage is only between man and woman, and only man and woman and being gay is going what God ordered. It is considered to be a one of the worse sins and since it is a sin, it can be repented for. So, in short, being sexually attracted to someone that is the same gender as you and being Christian doesn't mix; going by the books, you can only go one way or the other.

"... Love is a major theme in marriage." E.G., Jacob and Rachael

Judaism speaks about marriage with little regard, but that the things that mentioned are very direct and precise. Like, for instance, a male's perfect match or bashert is decided before he is even born, while other segments in the Tanakh say bits and pieces of advice about choosing a wife. But, one thing that seems to be universal in this religions is the idea of marriage is implied to be. That love and marriage should are intertwined and marriage brings happiness. "Marriage is considered a blessed state." (Gen. 2:18-24 ) And, the union between the two people should be just that.



Well, homosexuality is not addressed the way one would think it to be. Unlike Christianity, which entirely against the idea of two people of the same gender being together, Judaism has it a little more complicated. Jewish law does not teach that it is forbidden to be homosexual; the Tanakh only forbids homosexual acts. There a ton quotes in the Bible that speak on how Christians respond to people who are gay, but the book of Jewish never technically says anything about being gay; there are no direct quotes (at least, none that I have found). Being gay also varies on what sex you are, if one and his partner is male than it outwardly forbidden, but with a female couple, it is different. Nothing is said about females being together (though some rabbis prohibit it). But, look at the quote to the right, it was said by an influential rabbi. It seems that the views between Judaism and homosexuality seem more opinion than fact; that it depends on that particular person's point of view.

In short...

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The true meaning of marriage cannot be simply defined into words. There are too many aspects to look at... Love, sexuality, and religion. There cannot be one meaning to such a broad word, such as infinite topic. But, sure, there are many things to look, but all still depends on you. To love someone, no matter their sexuality, no matter what religion they practice is what is the basis of a healthy, long-lasting relationship. If you someone, go for it. If your soul mate is the same gender as you, don’t sweat it. And, if the two of you have different views on God, life, etc., know that the road ahead will be bumpy, but in the end, it’s worth it. See, marriage is... cannot be clarified. It just can’t. There is much meaning hidden in such a word and if you choose to take a chance, choose to get married, choose to say ‘I do,’ know that you’re one step closer to figuring it out, piece by piece.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Citiation-y Goodness...
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">-- Lash, Shari. "Struggling With Tradition: Making Room for Same-Sex Weddings in a Liberal Jewish Context." Ethnologies 28.2 (2006): 133-56. OmniFile Full Text Select. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> -- Hayes, Christine. "Intermarriage and impurity in ancient Jewish sources." Harvard Theological Review 92.1 (1999): 3-36. OmniFile Full Text Select. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">-- Mayeski, Marie Anne. "“Like a Boat is Marriage”: Aelred on Marriage as a Christian Way of Life." Theological Studies 70.1 (2009): 92-108. OmniFile Full Text Select. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">-- Hirayama, Ayako, and Cameron McLauchlan. "‘Christian’ weddings not all that they seem." The East 44.1 (2008): 10-11. OmniFile Full Text Select. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">-- Wood, Lawrence. "Tying knots." The Christian Century 125.6 (2008): 22-4. OmniFile Full Text Select. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.