Interesting (and controversial) discussion i've been having on the side. Wanna know your opinion on this.
Personally, I have no problem with marriage. I can't say 'yea' or 'nay' as far as I am personally concerned; I may do it someday; I may not.
Nor do I think that blacks shouldn't marry whites, or Chinese, or any other racial stigma.
I don't have a problem with interdenominational marriage, being as I don't believe in organized religion anyway.
I don't feel that homosexuals should be denied marriage rights.
But this isn't really about any of that.
On the listed topic:
Do I believe that marriage is necessary for a committed relationship?
No. I have had this discussion with numerous people before, and though I can understand the vehemence of people's opinions, the aggression that that vehemence all too often masks daunts me. I say, if two people are committed to one another, and are comfortable together, and they really truly feel that they are in it for each other to the end, then marriage as a ceremony is not necessary. Hell, let's be honest folks: The ceremony is just for show, and wearing that filthily expensive band on your finger, well, it's just a symbol. Just because one person wants to wear a symbol and another doesn't, doesn't make it right or wrong. I support our American troops; does that mean I have to wear one of those little ribbons on my collar? No. People who do stuff like that actually strike me as phony, as in "Oh, look at me, look at how good and patriotic I am!" Remember, our original military didn't even have a uniform. Did that make them unpatriotic?
So no, I don't find marriage itself necessary; I neither condemn nor condone it. For those that want to, go for it. But to say that if you don't do it, you don't love your significant other...well, remember this:
For those of you who are truly die-hard marriage advocates, you likely consider yourself Christian, so this is directed at you personally (and don't take that remark as antagonistic)-
In the Bible, "marriage" was described as being a physical union between a man and a woman of intimate purity. I.e., two virgins, one of each gender, engaging in physical consummation. The dowry paid to the bride's father was not in exchange for any ceremony (which often did not take place until after consummation), nor was it paid for the right to put a corsage on her breast nor to place any object on her finger. In fact, I can recall no instance in the Bible mentioning a "marriage ceremony" or a "wedding ring"; both appear to be relatively modern traditions. The dowry was paid for the right to deflower the man's undefiled daughter. Granted, the Bible shows us that the good husbands often showered their brides with goodwill and gifts; but because he loved her, not because some societal mandate told him to.
Therefore, I rest my case on the marriage ceremony, based on this fact, more than any other:
Marriage is defined as a blending or matching of different elements or components.
Therefore, believes I, commitment, by definition, is itself marriage.