Conclusions
Convergences and Divergences Identified within the Data
Convergences
The Church teaches the importance of Marriage is for the reasons of children, loyalty and love, to be shared in a lifelong commitment of devotion between a man and a woman (Aderlaide, n.d.) (Doctrine Committee, n.d). Celibacy before marriage is important, because upon being wed the two participants should be pure and un touched, as if they are not it shall be considered adultery (Ephesians 5:25-33). The idea of possessing purity on your wedding was evidently present throughout the course of the interviews, with two of the three participants agreeing with celibacy before marriage, even though as tough, is the right the decision and one that won’t be regretted, revealing a clear convergence with taught Anglican views.
It was also evident throughout the data that all participants believed that marriage was a treasured and holy commitment that was not to be rushed into, even though certain participants presented limited knowledge on the church’s teachings. The church preaches that marriage is a sacred and holy bond, that is a gift from God and reflects the eternal union between Christ and the church. (Aderlaide, n.d.). The data indicated that it is a wide belief that marriage involves love, support and trust in order to be successful, and that the bond between the two is sacred and under the guidance and protection of god.
The Anglican Church also teaches that marriage is the for purpose of having children, and by refraining yourself and only indulging in lustful acts with one person for the purpose of being fruitful, will allow a person to keep their purity in the eyes of the lord (Doctrine-Committee, n.d.) (1 Corinthians 7:1-40). The topic of children was present throughout the data, participants all believed that an important aspect of marriage was the family that followed, participant 2 stated that marriage is also for the purpose “to be fruitful as instructed in the bible and to raise your kids in a nurturing environment surrounded by God”.
Another belief of the church is that a wedding must take place in the home and eyes of the lord, meaning that one must be married in the church by an ordained minister or priest (England, n.d.). This notion was believed by one of tree participants, indicated by the fact that he held his wedding ceremony in the church, even though it wasn’t a full mass. However, none the less the decision of the participant to hold his wedding in the church and to be married by a priest, still conforms with the belief of the church that a person must be married in the home and under the guidance of the lord. The participants also stated that they believe that the Anglican church is very welcoming to anybody who wishes to marry in the church, regardless of background.
In terms of divorce, the church does not recommend nor encourage it, however, it is acknowledged that marriages to fail, and for that reason divorce is condoned(England.org, n.d.). It would seem that all participants followed this teaching, and agreed that divorce was reasonable in certain situations.
Divergences
Though the church teaches that marriage is a holy and sacred bond between to people, that should be done for all intended purposes outlined by the theology (Aderlaide, n.d.), the data revealed that this belief is not followed by the entirety of the parish. Participants believe that marriage is more about a personal connection and bond between two people within in their relationship, rather than getting married for the purpose of following Anglican theology. It is clear that the participants feel that marriage is rather about the love, loyalty and trust a husband and wife communicate between each other, and less about marrying for the sake of a sacred union.
Another notion also present in the data is that the views and beliefs behind marriage are changing in society, evident by the observations made by the participants. Rather than marrying for the practicality of family and support, it would seem that people are marrying “for the idea and thought of marriage and the fun times”, which is a complete contrast from the churches view to marry for family and the guidance of god (Doctrine Committee, n.d.).
A major topic in the society, and particular Christianity, is the idea of marriage equality and what it would entail. As outlined by the church’s teachings and biblical scripture, marriage is between a man and a woman (Doctrine Committee, n.d.) (Aderlaide, n.d.), “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman” (Leviticus 18:22). But the general public and members of the parish demand a change and wish to follow Jesus’ teaching of “treat others as you wish to be treated”. Rod Winterton of St Lukas Church, Warwick, claims that the views of the church need to change because "The Anglican church is far from homophobic” (Rod Winterton, 2015). All three participants agree with Rod’s stance and also believe that views of the Anglican change need to be more inclusive.
As outlined by Anglican theology, a person should be pure and a virgin on their wedding night, and only then should the indulge in lustful acts, for doing so with multiple partners shall be considered adultery (1 Corinthians 7:1-40), (Doctrine Committee, n.d.). However, one participant implied that this was too extreme, because “as long as you wait until you are in a committed relationship you are fine”. The church also teaches that God need to be present on your wedding day, therefore one should be married in the church. However, the need for a religious ceromony seems to becoming less relevant due to participant 1’s decision to be married in the park by a celebrant, because she believed that god was with her. This way of thinking is a plausible conclusion as to why the number of religious Marriage's has decreased from 56.9% to 25.8% from 1994-2014 (Statistics, 2014).
Conclusion Though it is evident that certain views of individuals may differ from those of the church, it would seem that for the most part, those of the Anglican faith follow the teaching of theology. However, it seems that marriage is being interpreted on an individual level of every member of the parish. It also became clear that the older generation follow these beliefs more strictly than younger generations, evident due to the fact that even though all three participants personally follow the traditional teachings, they stated that the beliefs of marriage are changing in society and turning away from the church, and the third participant (20-years-old) followed these beliefs with less importance then the older two participants. So it would seem that as time progresses the relevance for religion in Marriage will slowly diminish, and Marriage will become something of personal relationships and connections.
The Church teaches the importance of Marriage is for the reasons of children, loyalty and love, to be shared in a lifelong commitment of devotion between a man and a woman (Aderlaide, n.d.) (Doctrine Committee, n.d). Celibacy before marriage is important, because upon being wed the two participants should be pure and un touched, as if they are not it shall be considered adultery (Ephesians 5:25-33). The idea of possessing purity on your wedding was evidently present throughout the course of the interviews, with two of the three participants agreeing with celibacy before marriage, even though as tough, is the right the decision and one that won’t be regretted, revealing a clear convergence with taught Anglican views.
It was also evident throughout the data that all participants believed that marriage was a treasured and holy commitment that was not to be rushed into, even though certain participants presented limited knowledge on the church’s teachings. The church preaches that marriage is a sacred and holy bond, that is a gift from God and reflects the eternal union between Christ and the church. (Aderlaide, n.d.). The data indicated that it is a wide belief that marriage involves love, support and trust in order to be successful, and that the bond between the two is sacred and under the guidance and protection of god.
The Anglican Church also teaches that marriage is the for purpose of having children, and by refraining yourself and only indulging in lustful acts with one person for the purpose of being fruitful, will allow a person to keep their purity in the eyes of the lord (Doctrine-Committee, n.d.) (1 Corinthians 7:1-40). The topic of children was present throughout the data, participants all believed that an important aspect of marriage was the family that followed, participant 2 stated that marriage is also for the purpose “to be fruitful as instructed in the bible and to raise your kids in a nurturing environment surrounded by God”.
Another belief of the church is that a wedding must take place in the home and eyes of the lord, meaning that one must be married in the church by an ordained minister or priest (England, n.d.). This notion was believed by one of tree participants, indicated by the fact that he held his wedding ceremony in the church, even though it wasn’t a full mass. However, none the less the decision of the participant to hold his wedding in the church and to be married by a priest, still conforms with the belief of the church that a person must be married in the home and under the guidance of the lord. The participants also stated that they believe that the Anglican church is very welcoming to anybody who wishes to marry in the church, regardless of background.
In terms of divorce, the church does not recommend nor encourage it, however, it is acknowledged that marriages to fail, and for that reason divorce is condoned(England.org, n.d.). It would seem that all participants followed this teaching, and agreed that divorce was reasonable in certain situations.
Divergences
Though the church teaches that marriage is a holy and sacred bond between to people, that should be done for all intended purposes outlined by the theology (Aderlaide, n.d.), the data revealed that this belief is not followed by the entirety of the parish. Participants believe that marriage is more about a personal connection and bond between two people within in their relationship, rather than getting married for the purpose of following Anglican theology. It is clear that the participants feel that marriage is rather about the love, loyalty and trust a husband and wife communicate between each other, and less about marrying for the sake of a sacred union.
Another notion also present in the data is that the views and beliefs behind marriage are changing in society, evident by the observations made by the participants. Rather than marrying for the practicality of family and support, it would seem that people are marrying “for the idea and thought of marriage and the fun times”, which is a complete contrast from the churches view to marry for family and the guidance of god (Doctrine Committee, n.d.).
A major topic in the society, and particular Christianity, is the idea of marriage equality and what it would entail. As outlined by the church’s teachings and biblical scripture, marriage is between a man and a woman (Doctrine Committee, n.d.) (Aderlaide, n.d.), “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman” (Leviticus 18:22). But the general public and members of the parish demand a change and wish to follow Jesus’ teaching of “treat others as you wish to be treated”. Rod Winterton of St Lukas Church, Warwick, claims that the views of the church need to change because "The Anglican church is far from homophobic” (Rod Winterton, 2015). All three participants agree with Rod’s stance and also believe that views of the Anglican change need to be more inclusive.
As outlined by Anglican theology, a person should be pure and a virgin on their wedding night, and only then should the indulge in lustful acts, for doing so with multiple partners shall be considered adultery (1 Corinthians 7:1-40), (Doctrine Committee, n.d.). However, one participant implied that this was too extreme, because “as long as you wait until you are in a committed relationship you are fine”. The church also teaches that God need to be present on your wedding day, therefore one should be married in the church. However, the need for a religious ceromony seems to becoming less relevant due to participant 1’s decision to be married in the park by a celebrant, because she believed that god was with her. This way of thinking is a plausible conclusion as to why the number of religious Marriage's has decreased from 56.9% to 25.8% from 1994-2014 (Statistics, 2014).
Conclusion Though it is evident that certain views of individuals may differ from those of the church, it would seem that for the most part, those of the Anglican faith follow the teaching of theology. However, it seems that marriage is being interpreted on an individual level of every member of the parish. It also became clear that the older generation follow these beliefs more strictly than younger generations, evident due to the fact that even though all three participants personally follow the traditional teachings, they stated that the beliefs of marriage are changing in society and turning away from the church, and the third participant (20-years-old) followed these beliefs with less importance then the older two participants. So it would seem that as time progresses the relevance for religion in Marriage will slowly diminish, and Marriage will become something of personal relationships and connections.