What's so special about marriage? - YourChurchWedding.org from the Church of England

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"/> 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</div> </li> <li class="clsMegaMenu"> <a href="#">Your Marriage</a> <div> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/what39s-so-special-about-marriage.aspx" title="Read more: What's so special about marriage?">What's so special about marriage?</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-boosts-happiness.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage boosts happiness">Marriage boosts happiness</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-health-and-extends-your-life.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage is good for your health and extends your life">Marriage is good for your health and extends your life</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-provides-more-and-better-sex.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage provides more and better sex">Marriage provides more and better sex</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-helps-to-keep-you-together.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage helps to keep you together">Marriage helps to keep you together</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-children.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage is good for your children">Marriage is good for your children</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-protects-you-legally-and-financially.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage protects you legally and financially">Marriage protects you legally and financially</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-society-as-a-whole.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage is good for society as a whole">Marriage is good for society as a whole</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/anniversaries.aspx" title="Read more: Anniversaries">Anniversaries</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/keep-in-touch.aspx" title="Read more: Keep in touch">Keep in touch</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/realweddings.aspx">Real Weddings</a></li> <li class="clsMegaMenu"> <a href="#">FAQs</a> <div class="goleft"> <ul> <li><a 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id="bannerright"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/planner/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/images/ceremonyplanner.jpg" alt="Ceremony Planner"/></a> </div> </div> <div id="divDefaultBodyContent"> <a id="access_content"></a> <div id="divContent"> <h2><span id="ctl00_myContent_lblPageTitle">What's so special about marriage?</span></h2> <h3><span id="ctl00_myContent_lblPageTeaser"></span></h3> <p><a href="#"></a> <ul><li>Marriage is a very ancient idea. The Bible suggests it goes right back to Adam and Eve, who were 'made for each other' (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202;&version=31;" onclick="target='_blank';">Genesis 2</a>). Jesus' teaching on marriage, as exclusive, unbreakable and forging a new family unit, drew on this original blueprint. And Jesus loved a good wedding: he turned water into wine at a wedding reception (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202;&version=31;" onclick="target='_blank';">John 2</a>), his first recorded miracle. Even today, marriage exists in practically every country and culture on earth. </li><li>So marriage has always been part of God’s good plan for us. And no wonder! A good marriage is healthy, freeing and life-giving, as you’ll discover as you read through this section. </li><li>Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. There is something in a public commitment of this magnitude that has a spiritual element to it and which can transform a relationship to a new and deeper level.</li></ul><div id="divQuotes"><span id="spnPullQuote"> <br/>When you commit to someone they are always in your thoughts; when you decide things, you always consider how it will affect them, not just you</span></div><br class="clear"/><p> <ul><li>God intended marriage to offer the right place to grow in love and support for each other, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-provides-more-and-better-sex.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">fulfil our sexuality</a> and provide a stable and secure environment for <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-children.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">bringing up children</a>. Marriage can change us for the better, and as we change, our marriage grows along with us. </li><li>In the marriage ceremony, a couple makes a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other. A commitment, by its nature, is a challenge. Saying ‘I will’ to those vows obliges you to forgive and be forgiven. It will be tough at times! So marriage is a risk, but a risk worth taking. There’s plenty of evidence to show married couples are more likely to be <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-health-and-extends-your-life.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">healthy</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-protects-you-legally-and-financially.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">wealthy</a> and wise. </li><li>Occasionally we all fall short of God’s ideal for love, but a degree of conflict in a marriage is healthy if dealt with appropriately. Obviously conflict that results in domestic abuse* in any of its forms is unacceptable, contrary to God’s will and the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-wedding/wedding-vows.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">wedding vows</a>. Christians believe marriage is a gift from God and should mirror of the love God has for all of us – love that remains true, faithful, protective and respectful. </li></ul><p>(*If you would like to read more on the Church of England's response and guidelines on domestic abuse please see <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/papers/domesticabuse.pdf" onclick="target='_blank';">this paper.</a>)</p></p> </div> <div id="divTestimonials"> <div id="divTestimonialsContent"> <h3>Real Weddings</h3> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/real-weddings/our-vicar-learned-polish-to-welcome-our-guests.aspx" title="Read more: Our Vicar learned Polish to welcome our guests"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/thumbnailer.aspx?Img=http://weddings.strawberryadmin.co.uk/uploads/images/20111215150251.JPG&imagewidth=151&overlay=n" alt="Read more: Our Vicar learned Polish to welcome our guests"/><br/> Christopher and Anna<br/><strong>Our Vicar learned Polish to welcome our guests</strong></a> </p> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/real-weddings/we-married-a-week-before-baby-arrived.aspx" title="Read more: We married a week before baby arrived"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/thumbnailer.aspx?Img=http://weddings.strawberryadmin.co.uk/uploads/images/20100615101122.JPG&imagewidth=151&overlay=n" alt="Read more: We married a week before baby arrived"/><br/> Mary and Selwyn<br/><strong>We married a week before baby arrived</strong></a> </p> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/real-weddings/new-love-after-loss.aspx" title="Read more: New love after loss"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/thumbnailer.aspx?Img=http://weddings.strawberryadmin.co.uk/uploads/images/20081106095051.JPG&imagewidth=151&overlay=n" alt="Read more: New love after loss"/><br/> Christine and Brian<br/><strong>New love after loss</strong></a> </p> <br/> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/realweddings.aspx">> See all real weddings</a> </p> </div> </div> <div id="divHighlights"> <div id="divHighlightsContent"> <h3>Did You Know ?</h3> <p> New stats just out show biggest annual increase in church weddings in a decade. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/19/church-england-weddings-up?newsfeed=true" onclick="target='_blank';">Read more</a> <br/><br/> </p> <p> We'd love to see you at Weddings Fairs acorss the UK this year. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-wedding/see-us-at-wedding-shows.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">Read more</a> <br/><br/> </p> <p> More than half of young adults dream of marriage one day <br/><br/> </p> <p> Two-thirds of the CofE’s churches are listed buildings <br/><br/> </p> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-provides-more-and-better-sex.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">Marriage is good for your sex life</a> <br/><br/> </p> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195947/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-wedding/the-cost-of-church-weddings.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">Less than £350</a> is all you need to marry in church <br/><br/> </p> <p> You don't have to marry in white <br/><br/> </p> <p></p> </div> </div> <br class="clear"/> </div> <div id="divFooter"> <div id="divFooterLinks"> <p>© The Archbishops' Council | <a 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What's so special about marriage? - YourChurchWedding.org from the Church of England