Introduction
Cohabitation before marriage has long been a debate between families and religious institutions. This practice has been a common factor throughout history and the current generation (Balswick & Balswick, 2018). Some people think it is a viable option, and those who do not support this may alter the structure of their households while they live together. Cohabitation is often associated with issues such as sex, money, fame, and child-rearing (Balswick & Balswick, 2018). People may disagree on the subject, but it is essential to consider all angles before forming conclusions. The purpose of this discussion board post is to gather information regarding the effect that young people feel regarding their sexuality, the decisions they make regarding it, and how they view their ability to form a family before establishing their residence.
The Church’s Position on Matters of Sexuality and Cohabitation
I believe that the Church’s stance on these issues is outdated. It seems that the Church has a narrow view of what constitutes a healthy relationship, and I do not think that it accurately reflects what many people are experiencing today. The Church must be more open-minded about premarital sex, non-traditional relationships, and divorce (Miller, 2021). I have heard many stories about people whose pastors told them that they could not get married until they had lived with their significant other for at least six months. This is not based on any evidence or research. It is an arbitrary rule passed down through generations, but many churches still follow it.
I also know people whose pastors have told them not to get married because their relationship was not “perfect” enough. I have even heard from some single people whose pastors said that they should feel ashamed for being sexually active before marriage. Studies show that most people have sex before marriage nowadays (Miller, 2021). As a result of this kind of narrow-minded thinking, many singles are left feeling confused and even pressured into making decisions they might not otherwise make if they had more accurate information about relationships and sexuality in general.
Different Teachings Regarding Cohabitation Before Marriage
Scripture teaches people to be wise in their conduct, especially regarding relationships. The Bible says we should abstain from sexual immorality (Rayesh and Kalantar, 2018), and I believe it means what it says. The Bible also tells us that marriage represents Christ’s relationship with the Church (Ballenger, 2017). Therefore, for me, cohabitation before a wedding is something that would have to be thoughtfully considered. According to Rayesh and Kalantar (2018), cohabitation before marriage can lead to more divorces than waiting until after marriage. It is further correlated with a lower quality of relationships and decreased levels of commitment (Rayesh and Kalantar, 2018). These findings are consistent across cultures and religions (Rayesh and Kalantar, 2018). Thus making it a robust case that cohabitation before marriage is not beneficial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Church’s stance on premarital sex and cohabitation has not changed. It has numerous teachings on cohabitation and sexual relations before marriage. For example, couples who cohabitate too soon signify a lack of commitment, putting the stability of their relationship at risk of failure. Cohabitation is a habit that easily becomes a routine, further damaging a couple’s relationship. The Church firmly believes in marriage as a sacrament and teaches that this sacrament should not be broken before God has blessed the union. While there may be differing opinions regarding these topics, one should always act following the teachings of the Church. Sexual intimacy is a personal choice and can only be determined by oneself. While couples may feel pressured to act according to social norms, the decision ultimately lies with each individual to decide on their paths regarding sexual intimacy in their relationships.
References
Balswick, J. K., & Balswick, J. O. (2013). Authentic Human Sexuality: An Integrated Christian Approach. InterVarsity Press.
Ballenger, M. (2017). The Ultimate Guide to Christian Singleness. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
Miller, L. R. (2021). Single women’s sexualities across the life course: The role of major events, transitions, and turning points. Sexualities, 24(1-2), 226-251. Web.
Rayesh, N., & Kalantar, S. M. (2018). The role of praying for the spouse and sanctification of marriage in reducing infidelity. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 21(1), 65-76. Web.