Is Marriage A Relic Of The Past?

Hebrews 13:4 ~ "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

Nearly 40% of individuals say that marriage is an obsolete part of American life.  A recent PEW Research Center analysis of the US Census reports recently surfaced that claimed that the marriage rate is down within the United States to historic lows. Example:

• In 1960, among young adults ages 18-29, nearly 60% of them were married. 

• In 2010, among young  ~ 18-29 only 20% are married. 

• In 1960 71% of all adults age 18 were married

• In 2010 51% of all adults age 18 are married

• The new marriage rate from 2009 to 2010 fell by 5% overall

• Women on average are waiting to get married until age 26.5, while men are waiting until almost 29 years old to get married.

• 61% of Black adults were married in 1960, 31% of Black adults are married in 2010

• 74% of White adults were married in 1960, 55% of White adults are married in 2010

As the very first statement suggests, according to Pew, marriage is becoming a more and more unnecessary part of American life and family. For many, marital commitments don't offer either solid or noticeable benefits to entice them that are single to jump the broom. For many the idea of marriage has simply been relegated to the status of an "arrangement of convenience" with "mutual financial benefits", rather than a lasting and enduring commitment between two individuals.

"For Richer Or For Poorer"

"...to have and to hold from this day forward for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish, till death do us part,..."

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Hip-Hop, Idolatry, & The Church Pt. 14 ~ An Ode To The "king"

This post was kind of difficult for me to categorize. It was a cross between the current title and my Nephilim series. I'm sure you'll understand why as we continue. The Radio Podcast related to this post can be found HERE and HERE

Singer/ Actress Lauryn Hill (aka  L. Boogie now Ms. Lauryn Hill) has been one of the music industry's most prolific stars. Beginning with the hit group called the Fugees, Lauryn has not only made music but also had starring roles in films such as Sister Act II, Hav Plenty & King of the Hill. She was formerly married to the son of music icon Bob Marley, Rohan Marley.  She is said to have a net worth exceeding $10 Million just from record sales and other closely held investments.  

What is strangely unique about Lauryn is her disappearance and absence from fame and industry, and a temporary and planned future reemergence with what seems to be a spiritually centered and focused message. After winning over 4 Grammys in 1998 for her release, "The Miseducation Of Laury Hill" she disappeared for 4 years. She has threatened to reappear with a new spiritual dimension and offering better than ever. Some say that her disappearance was due to a settled lawsuit ( $5 Million) involving the claim of  New Ark (Vada Nobles, Rasheem Pugh, Tejumold and Johari Newton), who held that Lauryn had tried to stiff them of credit for their work in writing and assisting on many of the albums songs. Prior to the suit, when asked about a written contractual agreement between her and the production company, Ms. Hill stated:  

The Fugees

"We all love each other. This ain't about documents. This is blessed."

Lauryn then reemerged in 2001 with a MTV 2.0 release in 2002 in which she introduced some spiritual/revolutionary type songs such as "The Conquering Lion" and "Everything Is Everything", "The Mystery Of Iniquity"  and "Oh Jerusalem". What many still don't know is that all of these songs were dedicated to and based upon the actions of a man that she considers to be Christ on earth. His name was Haile Selassie.

The Conquering Lion

Haile Selassie (aka: Tafari Makonnen) (7/1892 - 8/1975), Ethiopia's former Regent (1916-1930) and Emperor (1930- 1975), was an influential world leader, and one that set the standard for NATO and other world organizations as it pertains to peacekeeping and nation building. He was not fond of any official political or economic system and was deposed by communism towards the end of his reign. He claimed to be the distant grandson of direct relation of King Solomon and the Queen Of Sheba (1 Kings 10:13). According to legend, Solomon not only gave the Queen material items, but also impregnated her before she left upon her visit to Jerusalem to speak to teh wise King. As a result this union produced another royal line and offspring of David and another branch of the Jewish nation. 

Haile Selassie's name means "Power of the Trinity" or "Might of the Trinity". Haile is said to have been a member of the  Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church until his death. However, seemingly, beginning in Jamaica in and around 1930, he was hailed by his loyal followers as God incarnate, and Jesus reincarnated. Therefore, he was said by his devotees to have been God in the flesh.

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