Temporary Marriage

I heard on the news this morning that there is a movement in Mexico to create a short term marriage option in Mexico City. So before I blogged on it, I read a couple articles which were interesting. One view from a US tv station focused on marriage counseling and divorce mediation. Another from the Huffington Post emphasized the Roman Catholic Church's opposition to this move, while explaining it as a pragmatic response to a high divorce rate. The Telegraph (a right wing paper), out of  the United Kingdom, said it was a move by liberals, who had already approved gay marriage, which angered conservatives. It indicated that there was a liberal/urban vs. rural/conservative issue. UK's (left wing) The Guardian began with the humane aspect (making it easier on people who suffer in divorce) although it also identified the liberal nature of the event and tied it to gay marriage as well. The Guardian ended the story mentioning Roman Catholic reaction.

My intent, to blog on marriage, got a bit sidetracked as I read the different slants of the articles on the event. I guess because I am doing some Gospel studies (taking note of differences between Matthew and Luke in the same parable) that I am finding myself drawn to look at the differences in the articles about this event. It really does demonstrate that we must use multiple sources when forming an opinion.

Is it reasonable to offer temporary marriage as a curative for the cost and pain of divorce? I am sure there is probably some truth to that. And with divorce rates at such high levels one can imagine a well intentioned effort to provide some support might look like this. Of course, that assumes a pragmatic approach. But if marriage is sacred (the Christian position) then the idea of an intentionally temporary marriage is a contradiction in terms. A covenant of love meant to be life-long cannot be whittled down to a two or three year commitment.

However, this is exactly what I expect in light of the myriad changes in thinking on marriage. I guess what is most stunning is it is a world-wide issue. Traditional beliefs are under attack EVERY WHERE. The escapist dream of finding a place where all is well, is, well, a pipe dream. You are I are in the midst of a conflict which is global, foundational, and showing no signs of slowing down. There are forces at work which will undo the Christian faith. But Jesus says the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. Gates are defensive, not offensive. It means that WE are on the offense. We are called not to react to the latest secular attack. We are called to non-violently but strongly proclaim God's vision for the world. Courageous Christians. Perhaps it is time for us to get clear in our thinking and get clear in our proclamation of the faith. The alternatives are certainly not wasting time in their efforts to recreate the world.