The Fortress of Well Being

Marriage - the fortress of well being, is a phrase that I've heard repeated a manifold number of times since doing a a workshop on marriage two years ago.

It wasn't until recently that I realized that is was a misquote - that what Baha'u'llah says, is that -

"And when He desired to manifest grace and beneficence to men, and to set the world in order, He revealed observances and created laws; among them He established the law of marriage, made it as a fortress for well-being and salvation, and enjoined it upon us in that which was sent down out of the heaven of sanctity in His Most Holy Book. He saith, great is His glory: "Marry, O people, that from you may appear he who will remember Me amongst My servants; this is one of My commandments unto you; obey it as an assistance to yourselves."

That, it's the law of marriage that is the fortress for well-being, but not only well-being, but also salvation.

This is really hefty, for two reasons. One, what is meant by fortress and salvation. And two, the difference between marriage itself, and the law of marriage. Then, of course, how this law related to setting the world in order and how truly these laws are manifestations of grace and beneficence.

It reminds me of the concept that the spirit of prayer is more important than prayer. That here, it is the spirit (or the law) behind marriage that is more important.

I'd like to explore this idea about salvation first. And I'm reminded of a passage from Shoghi Effendi where he explores what salvation is, and how it has changed over time. How, in the past, salvation was about individual salvation (i.e. acceptance of the Manifestation of God for that day and age) - i.e. "accepting the love of Jesus Christ into your heart" etc etc. But now he says that this is no longer sufficient - that it is no longer sufficient to spiritually progress as individuals, but that we are now called to bring about the salvation of the planet.

Baha'u'llah says, "That which is conducive to the regeneration of the world and the salvation of the peoples and kindreds of the earth hath been sent down from the heaven of the utterance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. Give ye a hearing ear to the counsels of the Pen of Glory. Better is this for you than all that is on the earth. Unto this beareth witness My glorious and wondrous Book."

Shoghi Effendi affirms, "Such is the sublime, the glorious position He wishes us, and all the peoples and kindreds on earth, to attain in this world; how much more to achieve unity and common understanding among ourselves, and then arise to herald with one voice the coming of the Kingdom and the salvation of mankind."

From Ruhiyyih Khanum, in a letter to a youth, "the object of life to a Baha'i is to promote the oneness of mankind. The whole object of our lives is bound up with the lives of all human beings: not a personal salvation we are seeking, but a universal one. We are not to cast eyes within ourselves and say "Now get busy saving you soul and reserving a comfortable berth in the Next World!" No, we are to get busy on bringing Heaven to the Planet." - this quote always makes me smile :).

Here, we see that salvation really relates to the well-being of mankind as a whole, and emphasizes the role of religion as a social force.

How is it that the law of marriage will save us then? Or, be one of the laws that will save us?

Think, in terms of social stability. Stable, unified building blocks that will compose this new world. So much of the problems that we see in society - stems from social disintegration - lack of cohesion and unity. That is a very simple connection.

To explore the difference between marriage and the spirit/law of marriage, again I'll just use a simple explanation based upon my own understanding. Which is, marriage is a many different things. What is marriage but the bringing together of things. But the law of marriage denotes how this is done, the definition of what it entails, and the role which it will play. "Marriage" can be a manifold number of things. That word itself doesn't mean anything, it's the definition of it, the role, function of it is what really defines what marriage is - characterizing it. It's this that makes a difference.

So, it's not that we get together, but it's how we get together.

My understanding of the Baha'i specifics regarding marriage of course, aren't that in depth. However, I am aware of some of them. That it should be heterosexual, that consent from the marriage should be sought, that there is a vow to say, that there should be absolute chastity before marriage and modesty and loyalty after marriage, that it should be monogomous, that it's good to marry young, the engagement shouldn't be unnecessarily prolonged etc. (95 days?), that there should be witnesses at the wedding etc.; and then all sorts about conduct within marriage and the purpose of marriage. :)

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