Quote:
Originally posted by jonb@Jun 30 2005, 12:04 PM
Actually, marriage primarily is a cultural, although not necessarily religious, institution to untie lineages. Its history isn't nearly as romantic as it sounds; actually for much of Western history, a marriage was a contract between the groom and the father of the bride.
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I think we're both saying the same thing. You are referring to the USE of marriage. You are correct that marriage has been used in many ways, including to control lineage and keep the blood lines "pure." It was (and is) also used to secure financial advantages. Remember that historically religion and government were not separate like the are today, so when you refer to marriage being "cultural" you are essentially saying "religious."