Over fifty scholars from the fields of history, economics, psychiatry, law, sociology, and philosophy have released a major paper entitled, “Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles.”

Noted university scholars from across America began discussions on the subject of marriage in the winter of 2004 under the sponsorship of the Witherspoon Institute of Princeton, New Jersey. Here are the “Princeton Principles,” resulting from these discussions:

1. Marriage is a personal union, intended for the whole of life, of husband and wife.

2. Marriage is a profound human good, elevating and perfecting our social and sexual nature.

3. Ordinarily, both men and women who marry are better off as a result.

4. Marriage protects and promotes the well-being of children.

5. Marriage sustains civil society and promotes the common good.

6. Marriage is a wealth-creating institution, increasing human and social capital.

7. When marriage weakens, the equality gap widens, as children suffer from the disadvantages of growing up in homes without committed mothers and fathers.

8. A functioning marriage culture serves to protect political liberty and foster limited government.

9. The laws that govern marriage matter significantly.

10. “Civil marriage” and “religious marriage” cannot be rigidly or completely divorced from one another.

The paper asserts that “a marriage culture cannot flourish in a society whose primary institutions – universities, courts, legislatures, religions – not only fail to defend marriage but actually undermine it both conceptually and in practice.” Please see www.princetonprinciples.org to download the complete document.

How important is a vital relationship with Jesus in raising healthy and happy children? The social science data consistently demonstrates the critical connection between faith and strong families.

Did you know…

Parents who attend church are more likely to enjoy a better relationship with their children [1] and to be more involved in their children’s education [2].

The emotional closeness shared between parents and their children is directly related to the child’s religious involvement [3]. The more active the child is in church, the greater the quality of relationship with his or her parents. This was largely due to the shared values which result from faith in Christ [4].

The social science data confirms the simple truth that families who worship together stay together! As parents, let’s commit to leading the way in our love for Jesus and in our commitment to make family worship a priority in 2013.

[1] Lisa D. Pearce and William G. Axinn, “The Impact of Family eligious Life on the Quality of Mother-Child relations,” American Sociological Review 63, no. 6 (December 1998): 810-828.

[2] W. Bradford Wilcox, “Religion, Convention, and Paternal Involvement,” Journal of Marriage and Family 64, no. 3 (August 2002): 780-792.

[3] Lisa D. Pearce and Dana L. Haynie, “Intergenerational Religious Dynamics and Adolescent Delinquincy,” Social Forces 82, no. 4 (June 2004): 1553-1572.

[4] Ibid.