Faith Perspective

ALL MAJOR WORLD FAITHS...
  • Christianity (all denominations)
  • Judaism
  • Hinduism
  • Sikhism
  • Buddhist
  • Baha'i
  • Islam
...CONDEMN FORCED MARRIAGE

Islam
  • An arranged marriage with mutual consent is acceptable
  • The consent of the woman is essential and must be obtained
  • Any marriage that is forced is considered to be null and void
Judaism
  • Judaism abhors forced marriages
  • Forced marriages are forbidden in Jewish law
  • Forced marriages are a reason to immediately dissolve a marriage.
  • Marriage must be between two consenting adults
Christianity
  • A voluntary union for life between one woman and one man
  • Marriage is understood as a sign of the love between Christ and his Church, which is freely given not forced.
  • What essentially makes a true marriage is the couple’s voluntary consent to a lifelong union.
The practice of forcing one or both of the partners to marry without their consent cannot be justified on religious grounds and is to be strongly condemned.