Quote From: gwarrior6If you get to know the person before you live with them, then you can work out the kinks when you live together. It's about loving the person before you commit to sharing your lives together.
There are warning signs that red flag that you probably shouldn't marry that person. And if you "try before you buy" so to speak, i think it creates the atmosphere where the guy has all the benefits of marriage, but without the commitment, which might be what the woman wants. It sets up the woman to be manipulated and having the "marriage" carrot dangled in front of her.
If i believe it's "wrong according to God" i have every right to say it, because i believe it. You might not, but it's your life.
You can't be serious! "It creates the atmosphere where the guy has all the benefits of marriage, but without the commitment". What??? Commitment can be marriage, or it can be living together or you can be just as committed and not even live together yet! It is what it is for you. I know that I am just as committed right now to my long-term boyfriend (yes, we live together and it's wonderful) as I would be if we got married. I will feel no more committed the day I marry him compared to what I feel now. I love him, respect him, we have faith and trust in eachother. I do believe in marriage, but I'd rather spend my money on buying our new condo (which we just did) and going on vacations together, or with friends, and just having fun together while we are still young (mid 20's). We are extremely committed, and that committment will remain, whether we are married or not.
And why is it always the guys that get accused of reaping benefits, how do you know the women don't do the same?? That statement that I put in quotes at the beginning of my post is just so comical to me. It truly makes no sense! Can't women have all the benefits of marriage "without the commitment"??? What does that even mean anyway?
That's great that you feel you know what god thinks is "right" and what he thinks is "wrong." Personally, I do what is right for me in my life, and clearly you will too and that is fine. But times have changed, so you may want to consider changing with them, but that is totally up to you.