What is the purpose of religion to the wedding and where did it start? Wedding ceremonies and religion were combined in one form or another throughout human history. In ancient Sumer, now Iraq, the Akkadians welcomed the New Year with a ritual in which the king married the goddess Inanna symbolically, to the prosperity of a check and rewarding harvest.
They even sacrifices at weddings. Often to the goddess Artemis in ancient Rome and Greece. Artemis was the goddess of virginity, fertility and childbirth. These sacrifices were a way to ask the blessing of spriritual guides the couple at the wedding.
Today, many religions of the world are important in the wedding ceremonies. Judaism tells us that marriage joins just steps from earthly dominion, but also in the spiritual. The Talmud, the ultimate compilation of Jewish law, notes that the Rav Yehuda taught that 40 days before a male heir is designed, a heavenly voice proclaims that the girl he will marry. This is considered "bashert," or fate or Kismet. Respect for Jewish law, a rabbi is not necessary for a bride and groom to marry, but many traditions include due to Western laws require either a religious or civil representative to oversee the ceremony. At the ceremony, the rabbi asked God's blessing and thank God.
In Christian marriage ceremonies, the ritual of marriage is completed by a real priest or minister. It will read the citations found in the Bible about the inviolability and beliefs about marriage. The priest will also pray for God's blessing and God thank you. Spriritual hymns are often a part of that. And often includes the wedding the couple taking communion. Most of Christianity believes that God created male and female partners and to be together, and, therefore, marriage is the execution of God's plan.
Islam teaches that marriage is a spiritual obligation, is to ensure the human race and the good fortune of the family. During the ceremony, the priest will read the Koran, and the couple will recite prayers while the holy book is placed between them. Like Judaism and Christianity, Islamic traditions of marriage are attached to the agreement with God of Abraham in Genesis 15 where God told Abraham he would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the firmament.
Hinduism believes marriage is a sacred rite, in which a couple start their life together, joining the mind and matter. The pair Lamxi goddess incarnate God and Lord Narayana. During the ritual of marriage, the couple committed their commitment before God, and the ceremony is observed and validated by Agni, the god of fire.
The Buddhist religion plays no role in the wedding ceremony. Buddha makes no regulations for a wedding or not. However, many couples will always seek the blessings of monks on their special day zone.
For many cultures, religion and spirituality are major parts of a marriage, both as traditional rituals and as well the importance and strength. A better understanding of the history and the sources behind the ritual promotes a greater awareness of partnership, commitment and love.
Posted on February 22, 2012.
