The Washington times., 1922-09-16
CHURCH IS .
WRONG IN
D D c N AS
God Doesn't ordain Marriages,
Z Too Many Unsuccessful
Matches, She Declares.
By RITA WEIM!AN,
Noted Novelist and Playwright.

Noted Novelist and Playwright.
tCopyright, 1922. by N. Y. American.)
One of the greatest fallacies in
the world is the assumption that
God ordains the marriage of every
man and woman who stand before
Him and take each other until
death do us part"
If God married people there
would be no mismating.
Yet upon this assumption is
based the dogma of the indis-
solubility of marriage. Upon this
conviction the Episcopal Church re-
fuses to sanction certain marriages.
Refinement OF cruelty might
have been q contributory cause to
divorce, humiliation, torture Of
body and soul. However, that is
bot the issue.
Attitude Of Church.
Two people of mature years, both
Undoubtedly having known suffer
ng. come together through mutual
nterest in the work of one. They
ind companionship, love, inspira-
bon in each other. Working side by
ide they might accomplish not only
happiness for themselves, but great
|ood for humanity. the two purposes
living.
Yet the Church says:
mo. She has stood before God and
poken words that are chains. 1t
oesn't matter that the man TO whom
he was to give love and honor may
ave merited neither. She belongs
b him for all time. even though he
Pike unto himself another wife. This
our creed-she must abide by it,"
The question, however, does not
Init itself to one case or twenty or
hundred. 1t is universal. And so
1ust be its answer.
There are four factors conc mod
n - trriage-the individual, the
Statc the Church, and humanity.
rhr ann of the individual is to find
happiness-through happiness to es-
0blish the home, the family
hrough the family to give to the
GCrld gOuG citizens.
The aim OF the State is to es-
hblish the home, the family-to
btain for itself good citizens.
W-ln6, ann Ol lne CHuICH 10 W CO.
lblish and maintain the home
Trough the home the family.
through the family to supply the
tate with good citizens.
The aim Of humanity is happiness
Through happiness good citizen
hip. The aim, therefore. OF all four
lctors ultimately is good and use
hl citizenship. That is, prove. bially,
be backbone Of both church and
tate.
How to Gain End.
How, then, is this Utopian end to
e achieved? BY bringing up the
Ihild under roof where man and
Foman are living together out OF
Harmony, where dissension and
8itterness hold sway? The happy
Lhild cannot be the outgrowth OF
Unhappy marriage. Sooner or later
he influence must be felt, must
kercise its effect.
The good of humanity dwells In
eace of mind. in anxiety to be Of
,lp to others. Bitterness can breed
either of these.
There can be no family life where
ere is no love. Mutual dislike mu
nj intolera nee, cannot be concealed.
a both are the worst possible cS.
mile for the children. Where love
es not dwell the home becomes a
use-that ia all. No law OF state
church can make 1t otherwise.
No dogma can dam the currents
discomfort and misery that surge
put its foundations. No rule. hard
a fixed, regardless of Contingen-
a. or extenuating circumstances,
n bind the workings Of 4 mans
nd or soul. And mind and soul are
E makings of citizenship.
Elastic Bible.
The Bible was written by men for
bn and is subject to elasticity of
erpretation. Hence, different in.
yiduals, even of the clergy, apply
various passages in various ways.
here has even been controversy as
the exactness of certain transla.
ms. Who shall say which is cor.
ct-which is Gods word?
We are struggling today in a mo.
ss of reimbursement, away from old
bnceptions. away from faith unques'
onine in doctrines laid down in an
ther century. There is no such
hing as standing still. II there is
IN progression, there is retrogres-
Hon. The waters either move for
lard or stagnate. They cannot re-
hahn as they have been from the
beginning. :,
II. as one Of the bishops remarked
his comment on DR.. Grants atti-
hide, conditions in the country to.
Iay are worse than they ever were
Greece or ancient Rome" then
Fry not try a change in those con.
tions?
II centuries Of maintaining the
bdissolubility OF marriage as
oRma have led only to this unrest
nd unhappiness. this desecration
the home. why not let the pen.
ulum swing the other way and
ne II the change does not work
nj for the betterment of human.
y?
Taken literally. there is no such
hing as the indissolubility Of any
elationship assumed voluntarily.
he only tie that cannot he broken
one OF blooN'
Marriage, no, divorce, should be
Ioade more difficult There would
hen he less OF the hsphaZard mat.
ne. which even the church today
boks upon with tolerance. There
hould be greater demand for
houRht and consideration made
non q boy and girl. man and a
ronan, about 10 enter what should