There are many ways to describe marriage. There are legal definitions, biblical definitions, and personal definitions. What is the right definition? Deciding which definition is right depends on where you live and what you believe. Marriage has evolved throughout history. In today's society, there are many different types of unions that can be considered marriages. Comparing these different relationships provides insight into how relationships form and come together. Although in the eyes of the government marriage is just a civil union, for the people involved it is much more. I think there is a rite of passage when forming a marriage. It's not just about forming a union so the government can give you benefits. It's a gift. I believe it's a gift from God when you find that person who makes your life better. Even if a person does not believe in a higher power like Christianity believes, their natural instinct is to love and be loved. It is normal that being loved makes a person feel good and become more confident. A marriage is supposed to be based on love. Life is about sharing pain, pleasure and experiences together as husband and wife. While I may believe in a traditional marriage, a relationship is still about giving and receiving love. The biblical perspective is what I base my opinion on. “Marriage as God ordained must be intimate and unified in all aspects: spiritual, physical, financial, emotional, intellectual, and personal” (A Biblical Perspective of Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage). God determined that a man and a woman would join together to create one flesh. The biblical perspective gives meaning to marriage. Without this meaning marriage would only be... middle of paper... "Should same-sex marriages be legalized?" Balanced policy. May 24, 2009. March 6, 2010. .Ooms, Theodora. "Marriage Plus." Elements of Argumnet, Annette T. and Winchell, Donna Haisty, 2009. Print.Robinson, BA “Introduction to Plural Marriage: Polygamy, Polygyny, and Polyandry.” Religious tolerance. September 4, 2004. March 6, 2010. Sullivan, Andrew “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage.” Time Magazine. June 22, 2003. March 6, 2010. .Williams-Hogan, Jane “Marginalization of Heterosexual Monogamous Marriage: The Cultural and Legal Assault on the Christian Ideal.” Cesnur. June 11, 2009. March 6, 2010.< http://www.cesnur.org/2009/slc_hogan.htm>.