It seems there are many dissenting ideas about what constitutes a legal marriage, why it is necessary, legally at any rate, how it is defined, the rights of people who prefer a de-facto arrangement, without the religious niceties, and even how many people should be in the marriage. In a state where bigamy is illegal, I'm aware of non-Christian people who would push to make it possible for a man to have up to four wives legally, though they wouldn't consider for a moment extending such privileges to women. Our social services don't recognise any marriage arrangement, in particular. They expect disclosure, but otherwise are mainly interested in who considers themselves as "partners", and who are not. My misgivings about my workmate's marriage, where there was no signing of the marriage register, concerned the possibility of her being used in some kind of immigration racket, which would be against the law.
Ithilwen wrote:I don't believe single Christians should seek out or consider marrying non-Christians.
The text you quoted, 2 Corinthians 6:14, was written in a time when people had very little choice about whom they were married to. Women, in particular, had to marry the blokes their families selected for them, to preserve property, social position, and, if possible, to advance family wealth and prospects. This was the situation right up to WW2 in many societies, even Christian ones, where regular churchgoing was the norm for both men and women. But today, you might find that advising Christian girls to go to church, or church activities, to meet prospective partners, is not such a good idea, when there is a heavily imbalanced ratio of available young men to the girls there. Especially when the girls have, in all likelihood, been given the same parental advice about what a respectable Christian lady should aspire to.
It is also a bad idea when of the few young men available at church, at least one has the courting habits of a male koala, meaning they only converse in the most laconic of grunts, that is, when they can be bothered, acts as if even a suitably washed and spruced-up young female should be doused in disinfectant (eucalyptus, of course) before they want anything to do with her, can't wait to gravitate to male company at any social occasion, and generally behaves as if they'd rather be left alone to snooze happily whilst watching footy on TV.
And if you do meet an interested bloke, elsewhere, how will you know if he really means what he says about his beliefs? In order to "catch" me, my dear hubby went to church with me, went to choir practice with me, even sang in the church choir and went on houseparties with me. Decades later, when I told his siblings about his activities, they still shake their heads in shocked and amused disbelief. As the Bible says, in Proverbs 30:18-19:
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand ...
the way of a man with a young woman. But whilst his pre-marriage churchgoing seemed to be mainly a means to an end, people's beliefs do change over time.
On another note, which I'd like to share with you, we joined a club where some of us put on a play last June for the end-of-financial year meeting. Hubby was cast as Fred, who partnered Charlie as comic fill-ins whilst scenes were changed. One of these 'fill-ins' went something like this:
Fred: Hullo, Charlie, you seem to have a bruise on your forehead. Charlie: Oh it was just a glancing blow
Fred: A glancing blow? Charlie: Yes, my missus caught me glancing at a buxom blonde.
Fred: Ah, women can be difficult. My dad gave me gave me five good tips about the sort of woman to find.Charlie: And what are they?
Fred: He told me, firstly, that it is important that a woman can cook, clean, help around the house and have a job.Charlie: I can see that would be useful
Fred: Secondly, it is important that a woman can make you laughCharlie: I'd like that!
Fred: Thirdly, it is important that a woman should be someone you can trustCharlie: I can trust my missus!
Fred: Fourthly, it is important that a woman is a good loverCharlie: I'll have to think about that one.
Fred: Fifthly, it is most important that these four women do not know each other.
We coached "Fred" whilst he learned his lines, and enjoyed his final, triumphant, stage appearance, immensely. Yesterday was his birthday. Our youngest daughter's birthday card to him read as follows:
A clever woman knows that it is important to find...
1. A man who is a perfect lover and attentive to your every need
2. A man who is a good wage earner and helps around the house
3. A man who is an amusing companion and makes you laugh
4. A man who is honest, trustworthy and loyal.
It is also very important that these four men do not know each other.
Happy birthday (78th) to her Dad.
As well as a nice shiny golden halo about his head, the man on the card, depicted as "honest, trustworthy and loyal", was wearing a ball and chain on his ankle as he read the newspaper, whilst sitting in a comfortable armchair.