In reading through some historic writings on marriage I was struck by the phrase ‘liberty of marriage’. In today’s so-called progressive society, you rarely hear the term ‘liberty of marriage’. Instead, marriage is often portrayed as a form of servitude or restriction. When how society views marriage changes, it brings changes to the attitudes of both husband and wife.
When marriage is viewed as a liberty, it refers to the freedom that one has in terms gratifying desires without guilt and social consequences. You are free to live with your spouse without fear of rumors or shame related to living with a person of the opposite sex. There was ‘freedom’ in viewing marriage this way. It was also a relationship that people entered into voluntarily and with their own consent. Without consent, there was no liberty.
In fact, one of the old laws of Pennsylvania stated, “By an act of the legislature of Pennsylvania, all marriages, not forbidden by the law of God, shall be encouraged. In the construction of legacies, it is a general rule, that all conditions are unlawful, which operate against the liberty of marriage.”
We have strayed far from these original ideals. In many locales, what was once considered ‘unlawful’ (as an affair would be) are now tolerated and encouraged. Not only that, the whole idea of ‘liberty of marriage’ has been turned inside out into now being an institution of bondage.
Just ending the affair is only the start of turning things around. You may also need to change your views of marriage. When you start viewing marriage as a liberty, you will be operating contrary to modern cultural norms. You will need to be prepared to stand against the peer pressure regarding marriage.
Best Regards,
Jeff Murrah
