Faithfulness
Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. It may be exhibited by a husband or wife who, in a sexually exclusive marriage, does not engage in sexual relationships outside of the marriage. It can also mean keeping to one's promises no matter the prevailing circumstances.[1] Literally, it is the state of being full of faith in the sense of steady devotion to a person, thing or concept.
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Etymology[edit]
Its etymology is distantly related to that of fidelity; indeed, in modern electronic devices, a machine with high "fidelity" is considered "faithful" to its source material, whereas a spouse who, inside a sexually exclusive relationship, has sexual relations outside of marriage could equally be considered as being "unfaithful" as having committed "infidelity".[2]
Religions[edit]
Faithfulness in the marriage is a virtue in Christianity. In Catholicism, it is one of the four pillars of marriage.[3] In others Christian churches (Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Evangelicalism), it is an ethical invitation.[4] It is a commitment in Jewish marriage,[5] and an obligation of Islam.[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Definition of faithful". Merriam Webster. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- ^ David M Newman, Elizabeth Grauerholz, Sociology of Families, Pine Forge Press, USA, 2002, p. 267
- ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, The sacrament of Matrimony, Official Website, Vatican, Retrieved May 27, 2017
- ^ Gerald R. McDermott, The Oxford Handbook of Evangelical Theology, Oxford University Press, UK, 2013, p. 453
- ^ Don S. Browning, M. Christian. Green, John Witte Jr., Sex, Marriage, and Family in World Religions, Columbia University Press , USA, 2009, p. 2
- ^ Ina Taylor, Religion and Life with Christianity and Islam, Heinemann, UK, 2005, p. 50
