by David Smith

Created on: November 08, 2008

In my honest opinion, this whole discussion hinges solely on a person's definition of love. There are two main definitions of love. One definition is "an attraction based on sexual desire". If your marriage is based only on a sexually-based definition of love, then I don't believe that the marriage can continue without love. However, there is a second definition of love, love that is based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests. I believe this is where solid marriages are founded. If your marriage is founded on mutual admiration and common interests, I don't think you would worry about the absence of love. I think love can remain strong and true through all trials that life may through your way.

I have been a close witness to both kinds of relationships that I have already mentioned, and I have to say that it wasn't comfortable being around a marriage falling apart. The couple fought so hard to save the marriage, and there was never any true love to be salvaged. Marriages absolutely have to be based on something more that sexual-based attraction in order for them to succeed. This means that we as a society have to rethink our addiction to sex, and all sexually-related things. Our society markets almost everything we see around sex, and it is destroying the minds of our young people before they have a chance to realize what is even happening. They are growing up looking for physical approval and attraction more than anything else. We have to teach our young people that there is more to love than sex. Love and marriage is a wonderful thing if based on mutual admiration and common interests. There is no better support group in the world than a marriage partner that loves you unconditionally. That is the mentality we need to change. I have four beautiful children that I intend to shelter as much as I absolutely can from the sexual brainwashing of our society. I want them to be well-rounded individuals that know how to love another person for their character traits, morals, and ideas; not just sexual robots looking to mate with the most highly qualified candidate.

The question here should not be "can a marriage continue without the couple being in love?". The question should be "can a marriage continue if true love was never present?" If true, unconditional love is never present in a marriage, then I have to say that it can never survive.

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