Labels carry a lot of meaning, and rightly so. We stereotype because
it helps us process an awesomely complex world. Unfortunately, it is
also true that no stereotype is ever completely true. They describe
tendencies rather than precise characteristics. Over time the
generalities behind our labels drift, evolve, so that the labels no
longer mean what they used to. A liberal became a socialist; a right
became whatever we could extort or vote to ourselves; gay became
homosexual.
Marriage became slavery to the state.
It appears that there was no word for marriage in ancient Hebrew. The
Scriptures talk of mastering or being mastered, of taking a wife or
giving a daughter, of being someone’s woman or someone’s man, but never
of getting married.
No label, only relationship. I think that’s appropriate.
I asked the state’s permission to have a woman once, and it turned
out very badly. I voluntarily placed the inner workings of my house
under the authority of politicians. There were advantages, of course,
mostly monetary: tax breaks, bureaucratic convenience, military
benefits, etc.
But I won't do it again. If I marry, it will not be on the terms of the state, which has made itself an enemy of God and justice. I'll do it on my own terms, asking permission from no one but my bride and her father.
