Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Can we (and should we) make a distinction between marriage and holy matrimony?
It is my opinion that this is something it is time us to do. When I think of marriage, I think of a civil union involving a legal contract between two consenting adults. I don't care whether they are straight or gay, whether they are of the same or different races, whether they are believers in a Higher Power or not. These individuals wish to "get married" either because they love one another or for purposes of convenience. In either case, as long as they are willing to make a commitment to one another under the laws of the land, they should be allowed to enter into this contract called "marriage" and to benefit from the the rights marriage permits (property rights, insurance benefits, right to make end-of-life decisions on each other's behalf, etc.)
When I think of holy matrimony, I think of a religion covenant united two people who see their union as being blessed by God (i.e. any Higher Power). Each religious group, in my opinion, should have the right to call the shots as to who, under their religious doctrines and policies, may be united in holy matrimony. This kind of union would be optional. Catholics could have a Catholic service in which a couple unites in holy matrimony. Mormons could too. (They could have this take place in one of their temples as a "sealing" and the Church could refuse to offer this to anyone who didn't meet their defined criteria.) Jews, Muslims, or any other religious group could do so as well.
In other words, marriage should be a legal union holy matrimony a religious union only.
It is my opinion that this is something it is time us to do. When I think of marriage, I think of a civil union involving a legal contract between two consenting adults. I don't care whether they are straight or gay, whether they are of the same or different races, whether they are believers in a Higher Power or not. These individuals wish to "get married" either because they love one another or for purposes of convenience. In either case, as long as they are willing to make a commitment to one another under the laws of the land, they should be allowed to enter into this contract called "marriage" and to benefit from the the rights marriage permits (property rights, insurance benefits, right to make end-of-life decisions on each other's behalf, etc.)
When I think of holy matrimony, I think of a religion covenant united two people who see their union as being blessed by God (i.e. any Higher Power). Each religious group, in my opinion, should have the right to call the shots as to who, under their religious doctrines and policies, may be united in holy matrimony. This kind of union would be optional. Catholics could have a Catholic service in which a couple unites in holy matrimony. Mormons could too. (They could have this take place in one of their temples as a "sealing" and the Church could refuse to offer this to anyone who didn't meet their defined criteria.) Jews, Muslims, or any other religious group could do so as well.
In other words, marriage should be a legal union holy matrimony a religious union only.