Franklin Dean
The concept of a covenant marriage is steeped in religion, particularly Christianity, and is viewed as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman, with God as the ultimate witness. In the Bible, marriage is described as a covenant in several places, and while the Hebrew term 'covenant' can refer to a contract or business arrangement, it carries a more solemn connotation in the context of marriage. Covenant marriages are legally recognised in three US states: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Couples entering into a covenant marriage must undergo pre-marital counselling and agree to limited grounds for divorce, such as adultery, felony, substance abuse, or physical or sexual abuse. Critics argue that covenant marriages create unnecessary obstacles to divorce, especially in cases of domestic violence, while supporters contend that it strengthens the institution of marriage and reduces divorce rates. Some Christians believe that a wedding ceremony is not necessary for a covenant marriage to be valid in God's eyes, as the union is made through intercourse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Legally distinct in three US states: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana |
| Religious Inspiration | Suggested by the term "covenant," referring to a binding agreement between God and humanity |
| Divorce | Requires proof of wrongdoing and has stricter requirements compared to standard marriage contracts |
| Counseling | Premarital counseling is mandatory, and couples must agree to pursue counseling for serious marital problems |
| Commitment | Emphasizes a lifelong commitment, with divorce only allowed under rare and extreme circumstances |
| Traditional Values | Critics argue it promotes traditional family values and creates roadblocks to no-fault divorce |
| Witnesses | Requires witnesses to the covenant, who agree to hold the couple accountable to their vows |
| Marriage Equality | Some interpretations suggest it aligns with a traditional view of marriage as a union between one man and one woman |
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What You'll Learn
Covenant marriage in the US
In the United States, covenant marriage is a legally distinct form of marriage that is currently recognized in three states: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Couples who enter into a covenant marriage agree to obtain pre-marital counseling and accept more limited grounds for divorce. They must attend counseling sessions that emphasize the nature, purposes, and responsibilities of marriage, and they must sign a statement declaring that their marriage is for life.
The process of obtaining a divorce in a covenant marriage is more complex than in a non-covenant marriage. A spouse seeking a divorce may first be required to attend marital counseling, and they must prove that one of the following is true: the other spouse has committed adultery, a felony, or substance abuse; the other spouse has physically or sexually abused them or their child; or the spouses have been living separately for a minimum amount of time specified by law (typically one to two years).
Covenant marriage has been described by its proponents as a way to promote and strengthen marriages, reduce the rate of divorce, decrease the number of children born out of wedlock, discourage cohabitation, and frame marriage as an honorable and desirable institution. However, critics argue that it creates roadblocks to no-fault divorce, adding frustration to already difficult situations. Some view it as an example of "religion harnessing state power," particularly due to its historical background and the requirement for premarital counseling to be conducted by religious leaders.
Despite the existence of covenant marriage laws in these three states, only a very small minority of newlyweds have chosen to enter into this type of marriage. Legal analyses suggest that the effectiveness of covenant marriage's divorce restrictions is limited, as individuals can establish residency in a state without such laws to obtain a divorce.
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Religious connotations
Marriage is a covenant, a binding agreement between two people that is often associated with religion and God. In Christianity, marriage is a God-designed, lifelong, solemn, binding union between one man and one woman to fulfil God's purposes. The Bible describes marriage as a covenant in several places, with Proverbs 2:17 picturing an adulteress "who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God." In Malachi 2:14, the prophet explains God's displeasure with his people, "because the Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant."
The Hebrew term translated covenant can refer to a contract or business arrangement, but in the context of biblical marriage, it carries a more solemn sense. Marriage as a covenant means a lifetime commitment to each other, and scripture gives no place for reversing promises. Marriage dissolves only when one partner dies or if one partner severely breaks their vows.
The concept of a covenant marriage is legally recognised in three states in the US: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Couples entering into a covenant marriage must agree to obtain pre-marital counselling and accept more limited grounds for divorce.
However, critics of covenant marriage have described it as "an example of religion harnessing state power." They argue that it creates roadblocks to no-fault divorce and that waiting periods and mandatory classes can harm families. Despite the secular language of covenant marriage statutes, many view it as state permission for a religious form of marriage due to its historical background.
In conclusion, the covenant of marriage is a religious concept that carries different weights in different states. While some view it as a sacred bond between two people, others see it as an imposition of religious values on state law.
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Divorce in covenant marriages
In the United States, covenant marriage is a legally distinct form of marriage that is currently recognized in only three states: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Couples who enter into a covenant marriage agree to obtain pre-marital counselling and accept more limited grounds for divorce than in a non-covenant marriage.
To obtain a divorce in a covenant marriage, a spouse must typically first attend marital counselling. They must also prove that one of the following grounds is true:
- The other spouse has committed adultery.
- The other spouse has committed a felony.
- The other spouse engages in substance abuse.
- The other spouse has physically or sexually abused the spouse or a child.
- The spouses have been living separately for a minimum period specified by law, typically one to two years.
In addition to these requirements, there may be other specific conditions that must be met, depending on the state and individual circumstances. For example, in Louisiana, a party to a covenant marriage must first obtain counselling and then prove additional grounds such as habitual intemperance or cruel treatment by the other spouse to obtain a legal separation, which is not the same as a divorce.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of covenant marriage's divorce restrictions may be limited if one or both individuals establish residency in a state without covenant marriage laws, as local state divorce laws may take precedence. Despite the intentions of proponents of covenant marriage to reduce divorce rates, only a very small minority of couples in the three states with covenant marriage laws have chosen to marry under these provisions. Critics of covenant marriage argue that it creates unnecessary roadblocks to divorce and can potentially harm families, particularly children, by prolonging an unhealthy or unsustainable marital situation.
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Wedding ceremonies
A wedding ceremony is a public declaration of a couple's commitment to each other, often made in front of family and friends. It is a celebration of the union of two people who are making a lifelong promise to love, honour, and care for each other. Wedding ceremonies can vary widely depending on cultural and religious traditions, personal preferences, and legal requirements.
In the context of a covenant marriage, which is currently legally recognised in three US states (Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana), the wedding ceremony takes on a specific religious and legal significance. Covenant marriages are designed to reduce divorce rates and promote long-lasting marriages by requiring spouses to obtain pre-marital counselling and accept more limited grounds for divorce. While critics argue that covenant marriages create unnecessary obstacles to ending a marriage, proponents believe they strengthen the institution of marriage and encourage couples to prioritise their commitment.
During a covenant marriage wedding ceremony, the couple may be required to undergo premarital counselling sessions led by a religious leader, such as a minister, priest, or rabbi. These sessions emphasise the nature, purposes, and responsibilities of marriage, reinforcing the idea that a covenant marriage is a lifelong commitment. The couple will also sign a statement declaring their intention to remain together for life.
On the wedding day, the couple exchanges vows, which reflect their promise to love, honour, and cherish each other for life. These vows are often personalised and may be written down in a document that the couple signs during the ceremony. Family members and members of the audience may also be invited to sign as witnesses to the covenant, pledging their support and accountability for the couple's marriage.
In addition to the exchange of vows, wedding ceremonies often include other symbolic traditions and rituals that vary across cultures. These may include the exchange of rings, which symbolise the eternal nature of the covenant; the lighting of a unity candle, representing the joining of two lives; or the performance of special dances or songs that hold cultural or personal significance for the couple.
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Marriage as a contract
Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. A contract is a document designed to protect individuals if the conditions are broken, thus presupposing a level of distrust. In contrast, a covenant is a lifetime promise made by a trustworthy person. Contracts are temporary and have a time limit, whereas covenants are permanent until "death do us part." When someone views marriage as a contract, they are saying, "I'll take you as a spouse and see if this relationship works out." On the other hand, when someone sees marriage as a covenant, they are committing to the marriage for life.
A covenant requires two people to maintain lives of virtue and moral obligations to sustain the relationship, which is not usually requisite in a contract. For instance, a phone contract does not require a person to be honest, kind, and virtuous. As long as the bill is paid on time, there are no problems. However, a covenant necessitates that both parties uphold moral virtue and fidelity to standards of ethics.
Another difference is that contracts can be individualistic, whereas covenants assume a witnessing community of faith. In a contract, the needs of the individual come first, whereas in a covenant, the needs of the relationship are prioritized. A contract is self-serving, while a covenant carries unlimited responsibility towards the good of the relationship.
The Bible describes marriage as a covenant in several places. Proverbs 2:17 mentions an adulteress "who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God." In Malachi 2:14, the prophet explains God's displeasure with his people, "because the Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant." Marriage covenants are also reflected in Genesis 2:24, which mentions a man and a woman becoming one flesh, and Genesis 2:25, which states, "They were naked and not ashamed," reflecting the deepest openness and intimacy a man and a woman can have.
In the United States, covenant marriage is a legally distinct type of marriage currently available in three states: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Couples entering into a covenant marriage agree to obtain pre-marital counseling and accept more limited grounds for divorce. They must declare their intention to live together forever and acknowledge that their marriage can only be dissolved under rare and extreme circumstances. While supporters of covenant marriage argue that it promotes long-lasting marriages and reduces divorce rates, critics argue that it creates roadblocks to divorce and could harm families.
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Frequently asked questions
A covenant marriage is a legally distinct type of marriage available in three US states: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Couples in a covenant marriage agree to obtain pre-marital counselling and accept more limited grounds for divorce.
Couples must attend pre-marital counselling sessions and sign a statement declaring that their marriage is for life.
A spouse in a covenant marriage seeking a divorce may first be required to attend marital counselling. They must also prove that their partner has committed a felony, adultery, or substance abuse, or has physically or sexually abused them or their child. The couple must also have been living separately for a minimum of one or two years, depending on the state.
Covenant marriages are designed to reduce divorce rates and promote long-lasting marriages. They also reflect the values of Christian and other religious communities.
