Wanting Words

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.