A Comparison Between Islamic and Catholic Marriage
Uploaded by Josephvhs on Nov 14, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Framing 2
Investigating 4
Reasoning 5
Christianity 5
Islam 7
Judging 9
Appendix 1 12
Appendix 2 14
It can be hypothesised that, due to their common origin in the Middle East as well as their historical and traditional connections, Christianity and Islam will show numerous similarities concerning their ceremonies, beliefs and values in regards to the marriage ritual.
FRAMING
In a secular sense, the concept of marriage is defined as, "The legal union between a man and woman as husband and wife, and in some jurisdictions between two people of the same sex." (Oxford Dictionary; ONLINE; 6/10/14) However, in contrast to this, the definition varies vastly throughout the major world religions regarding their notions of unity between two people. The two key religions of Islam and Christianity will be analysed, compared and contrasted critically within this ethnographic investigation. The religions' perspective on the major ritual of marriage and its significance within the respective religious society will be explored and examined studiously in order to gain a diverse understanding on the topic. The definitive aim of this investigation is to prove the similarities, or possible dissimilarities, between the two religions concerning their beliefs and values on the marriage ritual.
The most significant issues under investigation in this report will be analysed by incorporating and applying the theories of Victor Turner, Arnold Van Gennep and Terrence Lovat to effectively compare and contrast the ritual, meaning and symbols of marriage concerning marriage through the eyes of both Islam and Christianity.
Victor Turner, ‘a British anthropologist best known for his work regarding symbols, rituals and rites of passage’(Britannica; ONLINE; 6/10/14) as well as coining the term "communitas", digressed that all rituals have four meanings:
• The subjective, which is the text meaning and is explained by the person performing the ritual.
• An objective meaning which discusses the purpose of the ritual within society.
• Position, which denotes the symbols used and the relationships between them.
• Hidden, which is in some way revealed to those belonging to the ritual community.
Additionally, Van Gennep argued that the actual ceremonies within rituals are different however their meanings are ultimately the same, focusing on the fact that all rituals encompass a change of status within society.
Moreover, Terence Lovat actively analysed rituals using his five step model that consisted of:
• The participant leaves the ordinary or mundane world and enters the ritual
• The participant engages in some type of prepatory rite.
• The participant experiences a central or highpoint of the ritual.
• The participant joins in some sort of celebration in the ritual
• The participant leaves...