Bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh

 — Mar. 1, 20041 mars 2004

Aussi disponible en français

Issue No. 5, March 2004

“Bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh,” Same-sex marriage in Canada

By Nicholas Jesson

Marriage is a fundamental structure of all human societies. Regardless of religious or cultural perspectives, every human community has recognised, encouraged, and celebrated marriage. Marital and familial bonds provide stability and social order. In many societies, the legal privileges resulting from marriage ensure and protect inheritance and the care of children and the elderly.

Christians consider marriage to be more than a human institution. God has given us partners. We are made in the image of God, a community of persons in mutual love and support. “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” (Gen 2:24) However, marital practices are not the same in every culture. Christian churches have struggled with practices such as polygamy, arranged marriage, dowries, bridal prices, and pre-nuptial agreements. Do all of these practices reflect the image of trinitarian love?

Psychologists tell us that sexual orientation is fundamental to our personal identities. Anthropologists tell us that homosexual behaviour is found in all human societies. As our country considers the possibility of same-sex marriage, Christian churches are called to consider biblical, theological, social, psychological, and medical perspectives as we live the Gospel in a time of change. This month, “Ecumenism in Canada” has collected resources from the Canadian churches on the issues of homosexuality and marriage. We offer these resources to assist our churches in our reflections, and to encourage dialogue between the churches on these important issues.

Posted: Mar. 1, 2004 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=89
Categories: News • In this article: Canada, Christian, Christianity, human sexuality, marriage Transmis : 1 mars 2004 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=89
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Canada, Christian, Christianity, human sexuality, marriage


  Previous post: Ancien article : Still waiting for goodwill
  Newer post: Article récent : Os de mes os, chair de ma chair