Thinking Allowed: Redefining marriage

More and more there has been a polarisation in attitudes towards weddings. On the one hand there is the dream wedding attitude. This party of people strongly believes in the institution of marriage and the merits of the precursor wedding. A wedding is a must for this group. On the other hand we have the more daring stream of thinkers who have questioned the merits of the institution of marriage. They question the associated connections with religion and, by association, have absolved the necessity of a wedding. It is true that as religion fades from the limelight and an increasing number of people are declaring themselves atheist, or not even putting in the effort to declare themselves atheist, it has come time to redefine weddings.

So what does all this mean for my brothers recent wedding? In a way nothing and that is why the wedding was so lovely. There were no major religious undercurrents guiding their decisions. There were no efforts of status display or grandiosity. There was no allegiance to one culture over the other. This was just two people in love wanting to share their love with their family and friends in a beautiful and peaceful manner. What became meaningful instead were the mist creeping in as they kissed, the waves breaking over black sand, their parents chatting over a cup of tea on the porch, the noises and exuberance of a city party and night out, and the timely blooming of a corpse flower (only blooms every ten years). I am sure their lives together will continue to be meaningful and beautiful.