Hi there.
I am working on a paper and would like to get some input from a Christian perspective.
Marriage has changed over time from an institution which existed for the purposes of property transfer, establishing political ties, inheriting wealth, continuing bloodlines, etc. to what it is today. However, what it is today in Western culture is largely unclear to me.
I was raised Catholic. Not a go-to-church-on-easter-and-christmas Catholic, but very involved in my church. The emphasis, for me, was always on love. And I'm wondering if that was an accurate understanding.
Marry for love, not for money. Marry for love, not for power. Marry for love, not to please other people. And "love" was not simply an emotional thing- it had to do with emotions, of course, but it was also a matter of companionship and committment- that even when things were not easy or ideal, you worked together to make things work. Emotions may fluctuate over time, but you have made a promise to this one person for life. But the basis is on compassion and care for another, romantic love that manifests itself in a lifetime of self-giving and support for another person who you promise to remain faithful to.
Is this an accurate portrayal of what marriage is at it's core in accordance with Christian and Catholic beliefs? Love? Commitment? Respect?
How essential to marriage do Catholics and Christians consider procreation? Morally speaking (not legally), is divorce due to an inability to have children permissible? Or are couples encouraged (or even required?) to seek out alternatives (adoption, artificial insemination, etc.)?
It seems that procreation is often cited as an essential element of marriage (i.e. a large factor in the argument against same sex marriages). But if in a heterosexual marriage where having children is not possible, is it then permissible to dissolve that union?
Please be as detailed in your reasoning as possible. I am trying to understand what the current perspective on this is so I can reference it in my paper. I appreciate any feedback on this you can offer.