The Changing Face of Marriage

I believe the domestic church is very important. I believe the statement, “In what might be regarded as the domestic church, the parents are to be the first preachers of the faith for their children by word and example” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, #11), is very telling. The parents help the children and in many ways the children teach the parents. The domestic church is important because it creates a safe place where everyone is supported. The domestic church creates a community where love and forgiveness are embodied. The domestic church strengthens the family dynamic, community and values. The changing structure of marriage is complex and has many pros and cons. In today’s society, living with someone before he or she is married is very casual and may happen even if the relationship is not that serious. One pro is that the two people get to know each other better, since they would be living together. I believe the cons out weigh the pros because one special part of marriage is moving in together and starting a new life. Some people casually move in together because it is convenient, when it should be seen as sacred. In TV and movies today, moving in with another person is not seen as a big deal and is portrayed as if every one does it. Lastly, the study about the correlation between marriage, divorce and college degrees is very interesting. Since statistics keep going down as a person moves onto college and their chances of getting divorced decrease, the statistic is in favor of us. As we all move onto college, the statistic is relatable. I think as I get older, a domestic church will be established. I believe it is important to have a space of love, community and forgiveness.