Making up the two largest religions in the world, Christianity and Islam, both look at marriage as a major part of one’s life journey. Thus the idea that the sacred ritual of marriage in both Christianity and Islam are full of rich symbolism, ceremony and grounded in religious and cultural traditions, can be explored. However, the ritual of marriage differentiates between Christianity and Islam, as Christianity is founded on deep symbolic meaning and religious tradition in contrast to the culturally rich marriage ceremony found in Islam. This can be further investigated through an in depth analysis of the ceremony, symbols, religious and cultural traditions involved in the ritual of marriage.
Though there is not much common ground to be found between the marriage ceremonies of Islam and Christianity, when examined closely it is noticeable that each allows the marrying couple to connect with their God. In Christianity, it is believed that by having the ceremony in a church the couple is able to become closer to their god. This allows the couple, then to link their marriage to that of Jesus’ relationship with the human race. The same can be said for Islamic marriage ceremony, in which, the marrying couple proclaims their devotion to their lord, Allah. Though in both ceremonies are based on the joining of two people, two families into one, the ceremonies are completely dissimilar. In Christianity, the marriage ritual is seen as a celebration of love, yet in Islam, marriage is seen as more of a contract between the couple. This is because of the Islamic idea that marriage isn’t based on love, however, love spawns from the marriage. So unlike Christianity, where the couple makes vows to love each other through everything, the Islamic...
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...ly two examples of cultural tradition within Islam, they demonstrate that Islam is vastly stronger in cultural tradition throughout their marriage ritual in comparison to the vastly religious traditions found in Christianity.
The marriage ritual, in accordance to Islam and Christianity, is an important step in one’s religious journey. Through detailed research, it is understandable that Islam is firmly grounded in a culturally rich marriage ritual in comparison to the symbolic religious marriage ceremony found in Christianity. This leads to the belief that the ritual of marriage in Christianity and Islam differentiate in the areas of ceremony, symbolism and religious and cultural traditions; making it clear that the sacred ritual of marriage in both Christianity and Islam are not full of rich symbolism, ceremony and grounded in religious and cultural traditions.
Most weddings are done in church. The newly wedded couple is supposed to hold on to their faithfulness in God. Praying and fasting are major activities that are recommended for the couples. Church, best maids and the altar are a symbol of holiness in marriage and that still applies in today’s life. Church weddings are upheld in the society and people take pride being associated with weddings.
Marriage in Judaism is recognised as a very blessed tradition. This sacred bond is actually called a Kiddushin, which translates to ‘purification’ or ‘commitment’. The dedication of marriage demonstrates that the couple now have a select relationship and they are “one spirit in two bodies”.
Marriage practices vary across cultures. Every culture has its own way of conducting marriage according to their traditions and customs. Most cultures share common customs and practices, while some cultures have unique practices. Marriage refers to a social union agreed upon by the couples to unit as spouses. The union of couples implies sexual relations, permanence in union, and procreation. This research paper focuses on comparing marriage practices in American and Indian culture. There is significant difference between the two cultures in marriage practices.
When common practices and experiences are determined amongst world religious leaders, it is offend borrowed from the myths developed by human existence which was written in scripture during archaic times. Traditionally, practices that occurred during historical events are stretched out due to the worldview of individuals. These practices are advanced by personal belief or a natural
Despite people celebrating marriage in different ways it all comes back to one thing; marriage is a social ritual that by which two people affirms one abiding contracts between. The ceremonies are composed of rituals which symbolize facets of married life and the obligations being undertaken. In Hinduism the marriage celebration can start weeks before the actual ceremony depending on the preferences of the family. Once the day of the ceremony comes around the day starts with the brides’ family welcoming the groom into their home and both families are formally introduced. Both the bride and groom sit at the Mandap- tent where the ceremony is held under,-and are offered a drink. Gifts between the two families are generally exchanged at this point. The groom's mother gives an auspicious necklace to the bride, which is essentially an emblem of the married status in the Hindu religion. Then scared fire is lit and a pundit recites t...
...anity offered religious and traditional wedding ceremonies: “There was usually a joining of right hands, the so called innuctiodextrum, a sacrifice and feast of course, and the traditional carrying the bride over the threshold” (I). This quote shows that marriage meant more than just a contract to the Christians because it was a day full of tradition and love. There were several traditions such as carrying the bride over the doorway, joining hands and having a feast. To people who had non religious ceremonies, “A marriage then, was just a contract” (I). The word “contract” signifies a piece of paper with signatures on it that agree to what that document says. Many people didn’t like their marriage to just be a piece of paper, they wanted it to be more. This is why people joined Christianity, because they had traditions that were passed from generation to generation.
However much Islam and Christianity would seem to share common ground, the discussion is not complete without noting the parallels between this two that have taken center stage. Some of the remarkable differences as they try to answer deep life complexities arise in the areas of religious practices by both their adherents and the clergy (Dorothy 13-28). “There is also a stark contrast to the belief system subscribed to, means of salvation, scriptures”. The most prominent difference present concerns the belief of life after death and practices of depicting the metaphysical
As more Americans enter the cultural melting pot and cross ethnic and social barriers, the rate of interfaith marriages has increased, not because persons are less committed to their faith traditions, but because there is a new reality in which old barriers are breaking down. In the western hemisphere the issue of interfaith marriage is widely debated among all religious traditions. Many conservative denominations believe that, "A believer marrying or intending to marry an unbeliever is clearly going against the expressed commandment of God" (J.J. Lim) . Other religious denominations view intermarriages as, "The unity within diversity that adds a richness and beauty to marriage and to life" (Rev. Tom Chulak) . Regardless of one's religious denomination, a person's religion comprises the framework of meaning and the source of his or her values. When two people marry they bring with them their strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears, and their religious dimension that plays a significant role in their relationship, decisions and responses to each other. For this reason, many issues and challenges arise within interfaith marriages that require accommodations by each person including how the couple will deal with their religious difference, what religion they will teach to their children, and how their respective religious communities will respond to interfaith marriages. No two couples manage the adjustments that need to be made within an interfaith marriage in the same way. This is because there is no standard or typical Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim. Their knowledge, commitment, practice and attachment to the respective religious traditions, and their knowledge of, attitude and affinity toward the religious tradition of their spouses are so different that no two couples have the same experience.
When a man and a woman come together and bind in holy matrimony, two people become one. In marriage, two people come before the pastor and under God with their partner, to recite promises that are vows. In many religions such as Christianity and Catholicism, sex should be for left only for marriage. Sex is an emotional experience that is for married people to enjoy sexual pleasure together. Love and trust are sacred for the foundation of marriage.
Since time immemorial, men have held diverse religious practices as part of their cultural and social practices. Nevertheless, Christianity and Islamic form the current leading religious practices which have majority of followers. In term of demographics, majority of Christianity followers originate from western countries such as Europe and United States of America. On the other, Islamic practices are highly exhibited by individuals from Middle East countries and parts of West and North Africa. Though these two dominating religions have embraced different techniques and methodologies in presenting their doctrines to their believers, the content and the expectation from the followers are closely similar. As an evaluation, Christianity has used Jesus Christ termed as son of God as the vessel of disse...
The legal relationship, which comes out from a contract by which, ‘one man and one woman’ who have the ability to enter into such a union, promised to live together, take care of each other in the relation of ‘husband and wife in law for life until the legal termination of that relationship’ is defined as marriage. Marriage also may be defined as a legal union between ‘one man and one woman’ as husband and wife entering into contract changes the status of both parties in giving new rights and obligation. Traditionally, marriage has been viewed as creation of a family and vital to protection of morals and civilization. That is, the traditional principle founded from the marriage is that, the husband has the obligation to support his wife, provide a safe house, pay the necessities such as food, clothing, and to live together with the wife. The wife’s obligation entailed maintaining a home, having sexual relations with her husband and rearing the couple’s children.
In doing research for this paper, it can be noted that the women played the same type of role in all of these religions. Women were expected to be the homemakers and caregivers. They were expected to bear the children and be submissive to men.
Religious marriages have a background rich in tradition and symbolism. Often that tradition becomes visible during the marriage ceremony. Each religion will have distinct traditions that take place during the ceremony in order to represent the couple’s mutual respect for religion and religious principles as they apply to the relationship. As early as the 12th Century, Roman Catholic scholar and writers referred to marriage in religion as a sacrament, a sacred ceremony tied to experiencing God's existence. “However, it wasn't until the Council of Trent in 1563 that marriage was officially deemed one of the seven sacraments, says Elizabeth Davies, of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Following the development of Protestant theology, which did not recognize marriage as a sacrament, the Council felt a need to ...
He usually arrives dressed in his wedding attire on the back of a horse, or sometimes on the back of an elephant. “The wedding altar (mandapa) is built the day of and the groom is welcomed by his future mother in law where his feet are then washed and he is offered milk and honey. His sister in law will attempt to steal his shoes and if she succeeds, the groom must pay her to get them back” (beau-coup.com). At the wedding venue the bride waits for the groom in a room covered in garland, when the groom arrives they exchange garland. After this, the brides family will welcome the grooms family to the wedding. Like Christian weddings, the father of the bride gives the bride away at the wedding, this is called a Kanyadaan. A priest will facilitate the marriage by reciting mantras or holy hymns, but the bride and groom marry each other. The bride and groom are considered married when the groom ties a thread that symbolizes his vow to care for the bride. He ties it in three knots that symbolizes the gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Masheshwara. The ceremony takes place around a fire and the god, Agni is considered the witness to the union. “The bride and the groom then circle the fire seven times, in a clockwise direction, called Saat Phere which signifies seven goals of married life which include religious and moral duties, prosperity, spiritual salvation and liberation, and sensual gratification” (Gullapalli
There are many different marriage practices around the world and each has its own unique cultural and economic aspect. This paper will explore the dynamics of Japanese and Indian marriages and how they compare and contrast with one another. The analysis will address cultural factors and how it relates to symbolic systems such as religion and rituals and how they are slowly diminishing in lieu of a more westernized modern marriage. For instance, Japan's traditional marriages are becoming a thing of the past due to more westernized and modern versions that appeal to the younger couples. Some couples are even adopting the American wedding ceremonies in place of their cultural ones. In its effort to promote freedom of choice, India's government encourages inter-caste inter-faith marriages by offering couples money. However, this is conditional; stipulations are that "one of the partners should be from scheduled caste category and there should be no conversion in case of an inter-faith marriage" (Govt incentives for inter-caste marriages, 2012, para. 3). This is a milestone in India where traditions, customs, and the Hindu religion still rules a larger proportion of people.