1. Marriage Rites & Expectations
By Carlo Ammatuna, Woody Amidon, Ian Fletcher & Will Jopling

2. Views of Marriage
Judaism- Companionship, love and intimacy are the primary purposes of marriage
Christianity- Marriage is a Holy sacrament that is a permanent, life long promise between a man and woman
Islam- Marriage is “mithaq” a solemn covenant, a religious duty, a moral safeguard, and social necessity

3. Premarital Sex in Judaism
The Torah does not prohibit premarital sex between a man and woman who can legally marry
However, traditional Judaism strongly condemns the irresponsibility of sex outside of marriage. Premarital sex is considered to be improper and immoral
Jewish law prohibits an unmarried, unrelated man and woman from being alone long enough to have sexual relations.
These laws come from the Talmud

4. Premarital Sex in Christianity
Sex outside of marriage goes against the dignity of marriage
The sexual act must take place exclusively within marriage
1st Corinthians 7:8-9
Outside of marriage it always constitutes a serious sin

5. Premarital Sex in Islam
Supposed to guard your chastity
A believer is defined in Surah 23
a believer is one who abstains from sex except with those joined to them in marriage bond (and sexual captives)
Islam does not approve of intimate mixing of the sexes, forbids premarital sex
Mary was a devout servant, she guarded her chastity
Surah 21:91 & 66:12

6. Forbidden Marriage in Judaism & Christianity
The Torah/ Old Testament forbids the marriage of
close blood relatives
the ex-wives of certain close blood relatives
a woman who has not been validly divorced from her previous husband
the daughter or granddaughter of his ex-wife
the sister of his ex-wife during the ex-wife's life time

7. Forbidden Marriage in Islam
Surah 4:23 says
Cannot marry women against their will
No marriage to close blood relatives
Including aunts and uncles
This does not forbid marriage to cousins
Cannot marry one wives of your sons, fathers, women who are already married

8. Marriage of Non- Believers: Interfaith Marriage in Judaism
Traditional Judaism does not permit interfaith marriages
The more liberal branches of Judaism have tried to embrace intermarried couples
Marriage to a non-Jew is not recognized as "marriage" in Jewish law

9. Marriage of Non- Believers: Interfaith Marriage in Christianity
The fact that someone is an unbeliever is not a reason for not marrying, staying with them
1st Corinthians 7:12-14
The non believer becomes Holy through the believer

10. Marriage of Non- Believers: Interfaith Marriage in Islam
Muslim men can marry non Muslim women
With the understanding that she will convert to Islam eventually
Muslim women cannot marry non Muslim men
Some contradictions
Surah 2:221

11. Marriage Ceremony in Judaism
20-30 minutes consists of the kiddushin and the nisuin
Nisuin done under Chuppah
Kiddushin- the woman accepts the money, contract or sexual relations offered by the prospective husband.
comes from the root Qof-Dalet-Shin
meaning "sanctified."
Nisuin- Completes the process of
marriage. The husband brings the wife
into his home and they begin their
married life together
(from a word meaning "elevation")

12. Marriage Ceremony in Christianity
Seating of the parents
Bridal procession
Wedding march
Opening remarks
The call to worship
Opening Prayer
Giving away of the bride
Wedding vows, exchanging of the rings
Communion
The first act as a married couple
The closing prayer
The kiss and presentation of the couple

13. Marriage Ceremony in Islam
Exchanging of peace
A profession of faith
A lot of readings about Allah regarding marriage
State Allah as a witness to the marriage
Bride and groom agree to dowry
Both accept each other
Sign contract of the marriage and dowry
Two witnesses of the marriage sign the contract
Followed by exchanging of rings
More readings: about the meaning of
marriage
Congratulations

14. Equality in Marriage in Judaism
Both parties must voluntarily agree on marriage
Marriage must include Ketubah
From the Hebrew verb “to write”
A marriage contract

15. Equality in Marriage in Christianity
Ephesians 5:22
Women are subordinate to husbands
“Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Ephesians 5:28
Equality has progressed a lot over time

16. Equality in Marriage in Islam
Husbands are the head of the family
In terms of finance and decision making
Surah 4: 34 suggests men take care of their wives but can also physically punish them
Muslim men and woman are spiritually and intellectually equal
Meaning of polygamy

17. Group Discussion
Based on what we have talked about so far, discuss which religion comes closest to attaining equality in marriage and which is the furthest away?

18. Adultery In Judaism it is forbidden by the Ten Commandments
In Christianity, still forbidden by Ten Commandments
Jesus grants forgiveness John 8:1-11
In Islam, referred to as “Zina”
Punishment is stoning to death (for women)
Repent, Amend no punishment (for men)

19. Divorce Judaism has always accepted divorce
Allowed by the words of Moses
In Christianity divorce is very sinful
It is the separation of one flesh that was conjoined by God and no human is able to break that bond
In Islam divorce is permitted with a settlement between a man and the woman
Not unfair to the woman financially
Of all things permitted, most hateful to Allah

20. Worksheets
Question 3
Based on the assigned Surahs, what does the Qur’an say about marriage of people who do not believe in Allah? What about marriage between Muslims and the “People of the Book” (Jews and Christians)?