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I am curious where it is found in the Christian Bible. Where and how is it defined in your scriptures? --
I bet google would turn up something for you, on that line of inquiry. My remark was based on many Christian churches teaching, right or wrong, that sex without lifelong commitment is wrong.
that is the very issue I am wrestling with. I have heard this term used by many churches, but I don't see any Scripture to back it up. NOTE: I am referring to couples who are together, may even have had a child, and have made that life-long commitment...they just have not yet had a ceremony.
I can't find anywhere in Scripture where a marriage is defined by a ceremony, only by a heart commitment on the part of the two.