Marriage is Freedom

Recently I heard an interesting advertisement in FM Radio. A prominent insurance company was advertising its latest product that combines investment and pension. The company wanted to emphasize that two non-compatible things could be integrated together. A young man asks, in the advertisement, "Can I have Freedom and Marriage (together)?"

The advertisement reflects the 'myth' believed by many young people. When a person marries, he/she looses his/her freedom. For them, freedom and marriage cannot co-exist. This false propaganda has weakened the institution of marriage in the perception of people. Hence, they look at this institution as bondage instead of freedom.

Freedom to Identity
Marriage gives a new identity to individuals. Until marriage a boy is termed as bachelor and a girl as spinster. After marriage, a married person is referred in relationship his/her spouse. A new identity is provided that enhances the profile of both persons. In fact, this is a precious identity, that provides a special status in the society. The spouse is referred as 'the better half' in many conversations. Marriage provides a positive identity to both man and woman. Man considers himself as masculine, successful, generous and concerned about welfare of others. Woman also gets a new positive identity, that she fulfills her life purpose of raising a family with children.

Freedom to love
A person gets freedom to love. Infinity and eternity are the two longings of love. If so, a person who really loves his/her spouse binds himself/herself forever to his/her beloved. The freedom of love also affirms a person's dignity and personality. Love shared between husband and wife is considered sacred. This sacred love seeks the welfare of each other; strives to protect, support and preserve the other always. Love is not withheld or compromised or lessened. Such love is unselfish and loyal.
This freedom to love provides a 'sense of belonging'. They belong to one another, and are united. They do not face life alone, but together.

Freedom for intimacy
The sacred relationship between spouses provides intimacy. When the first couple committed sin, they were ashamed and afraid of one another. In a marriage relationship, there is physical intimacy in their personal lives, without fear and shame. Paul writes: The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.(I cor 7:2-5) Though, this intimacy is portrayed profanely by media, the intimacy within the context of marriage between heterosexual couple is sacred.

Freedom for companionship
In the creation narrative, it is clear that man cannot be single. God found that it was not good for man to be alone. (Genesis 2: 18) The cure for his loneliness is a companion. God created Eve out of the rib of Adam. He did not create another man to provide company but a woman to be his helpmeet. Indeed marriage is deliverance from loneliness with the gift of companionship. Marriage unites two companions together, who would be lovers, partners, co-creators, parents and worshippers.

Freedom from adultery
Marriage is based on love that is unqualified commitment. Husband and wife should make this bold unqualified mutual commitment. When a person breaks this trust and commitment and starts another relationship is termed as adultery. One who commits adultery betrays oneself. The person who trespasses marriage boundaries confuses excitement of novelty with authentic or genuine joy and happiness. Physical intimacy with any person except the spouse is prohibited. When a person does that, he violates the marriage covenant and harms himself/herself.

Freedom for fulfillment
The aspiration of a man is different from that of woman. There are many books written like: Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. The need for man is 'respect'. In the marriage relationship, wife provides respect for the husband. By doing so, she provides fulfillment for her husband. Similarly, a woman seeks love. To be loved is her yearning and desire. When a husband loves his wife, her need for acceptance and approval is fulfilled. Both man and woman get freedom to see their needs, aspirations and expectation being fulfilled in their married life as they fulfill the other's need. Thus marriage makes a person complete, mature, and wholesome.

Freedom for legacy
One of the greatest achievement of any family would be their children. Couples generally get married for having children and raise a family. This is common in all cultures in the world. The symbol of love and union of husband and wife is their children. In fact, children are the true legacy. They provide continuity and longevity for parent's existence, power and vision.

Marriage is True Freedom
The general perception of marriage as bondage is totally wrong. Nevertheless the media tries to make this myth as truth. Unfortunately, many leaders in the society have this wrong notion of marriage and have propagated this as 'modern' truth. In this context, the Church has declare that marriage as freedom. Christian families should demonstrate that marriage is freedom and become role-models in the society.