Quite Curious...

[MOREGODlessme]

I would like to know of everyone's opinion of the actual purpose of a wedding ring. After reading the banter under the subject of TCOG's in-fighting, many comments were raised about the wedding ring.
I do NOT wear one, simply because, to me, it serves no purpose.
I dated a girl before I met my wife who WAS married and DID wear a wedding ring. I am not proud of this fact. I was unsaved at the time. It's just when I hear people say, it symbolizes my love for my spouse, I literally have to laugh. If that is true, then what kind of love did this girl have for her husband when whe was spending time with me.

There is no right or wrong answer here. I am just curious as to why people wear this hunk of metal that tags you as being married.

Everyone at my job knows I am married. And they are surprised that I do NOT wear a wedding ring. To me, a watch with your wedding date enscribed underneath would serve a more useful purpose. At least it gives you the time of day. And tends to be less expensive.

As I said, there is no right or wrong answer. I am just curious.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Ilovebigcats]

I would like to know of everyone's opinion of the actual purpose of a wedding ring. After reading the banter under the subject of TCOG's in-fighting, many comments were raised about the wedding ring.
I do NOT wear one, simply because, to me, it serves no purpose.
I dated a girl before I met my wife who WAS married and DID wear a wedding ring. I am not proud of this fact. I was unsaved at the time. It's just when I hear people say, it symbolizes my love for my spouse, I literally have to laugh. If that is true, then what kind of love did this girl have for her husband when whe was spending time with me.

There is no right or wrong answer here. I am just curious as to why people wear this hunk of metal that tags you as being married.

Everyone at my job knows I am married. And they are surprised that I do NOT wear a wedding ring. To me, a watch with your wedding date enscribed underneath would serve a more useful purpose. At least it gives you the time of day. And tends to be less expensive.

As I said, there is no right or wrong answer. I am just curious.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What is the difference in the hunk of metal around your wrist versus around your finger? Have you ever seen the watch rings? You wear them around your finger instead of your wrist. Is that wrong in your opinion?

What about all those "Bradley" pens. Could I wear a blue ring with his name on it? What about cloth/hemp jewelry. Is that wrong? What about those rubber bracelets I have seen you wear? What significance does that have? They look cheap and stupid to me.

Just because you think a wedding band is pointless because of your upbringing, doesn't give you the right to treat people with a downcast stare for not measuring up to your OPINION.

I think you will win the $10.

[stevenson]

In the first meeting of the servant of Isaac and Rebekah, he seeks her favor by the present of a massive earring and two bracelets. After the consent of her parents, there were more costly gifts - "jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment." In later days, it was the custom for the bridegroom to place a ring upon the finger of the intended bride. It is not certain how early this custom began. There is no mention in the Bible of betrothal finger-rings; but, in Genesis 41:42, a ring is mentioned as a token of fidelity or friendship, and, in Luke 15:22, of adoption.

So Isaac, Rebekah,Joseph and the Prodigal Son (all) could not be a member of TCOG. Hmmmmmm!

[Jennifer Smith]

In JESUS' parable of the Prodigal son, the Father placed a ring on the finger of his wayward returning son, as a symbol of love..

I don't think there needs to be any reason to wear one..
but a symbol of love sounds like a pretty good one to me!

Knowing that someone loved me enough to put a ring on my finger is a constant and physical reminder.

[Pastor Gary]

Now *I* am quite curious; is the wedding ring the only traditional, cultural, societal bit of symbolism you reject?

The U.S. Flag serves no useful purpose beyond symbolism, yet many churches (including TCOG churches, I imagine) display them or fly them outside.

We could make a list: military rank insignia, drum corps uniforms , those little yellow magnet stickers, church flag decals, team-sports logo wear, those little silver-plated fish symbols, academic robes, cowboy belt buckles the size of a dinner plate, Christmas trees... largely just symbols adopted by cultures and societies to represent ideas... a sort of cultural code.

The cross serves no useful purpose beyond symbolism, but is displayed and worn by many... I wear a tiny koa wood cross on a black string daily along with my wedding ring --- both symbols to me of connection and commitment to people I love and am proud for the world to know it.

Of course people wear wedding rings and cheat. People also serve under the American Flag and go AWOL, but that doesn't diminish the power or importance of the object's symbolic value. I couldn't care less whether you or anyone else ever wears a ring, but I hope you can at least understand the symbolic importance to those of us for whom it has meaning.

[Gerald Creasy]

I believe people who look down their noses with harsh condemnation on people who wear rings will be judged more wrong than the person who wears rings.

Some of the scriptures used by COGOP (and assumedly still by The TCOG Mulitplex) are the most eisegetical application of scripture I have ever seen.

Example: Isa 52:2 ....loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. Means -according to old COGOP publications- you cant wear necklaces.

What kind of mind sees that there except the judgemental condemner LOOKING for wrong things to put upon people?

[Ilovebigcats]

I believe people who look down their noses with harsh condemnation on people who wear rings will be judged more wrong than the person who wears rings.

Some of the scriptures used by COGOP (and assumedly still by The TCOG Mulitplex) are the most eisegetical application of scripture I have ever seen.

Example: Isa 52:2 ....loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. Means -according to old COGOP publications- you cant wear necklaces.

What kind of mind sees that there except the judgemental condemner LOOKING for wrong things to put upon people?

The problem I have is with the hypocrisy. The focus is rings, necklaces, and bracelets (not the rubber ones of course ). The whole point is to avoid idolatry, pride, etc. If it is in your heart... it is going to come out whether you EVER put a ring on your finger. They IDOLIZE their leadership. *stick robot arms out* Must obey. Must obey. They will sin for the sake of obedience. UGH! They don't say a peep about thousand dollar suits and dangly bracelety watches, rubber and hemp bracelets, shell and rope necklaces. Come on! It is just the gold factor? Can I wear silver? How about we start a new line of plastic wedding bands. They would sell like hot cakes at the assembly. A new way to get around the rules. More loop holes, we want more loop holes.

Of course, let's NEVER do anything about the slaughter of sheep DAILY in TCOG.

Can ya'll tell I am going through something regarding TCOG right now? My family will be abused, beaten, starved, ignored, neglected but as long as they don't put a ring on when we see them it's all okay.

[RamboPreacher]

I would like to know of everyone's opinion of the actual purpose of a wedding ring....

ahh yes, symbology. The unbroken circle/ring is a symbol for life eternal or just eternity. Plato says that the soul is a circle. not that I agree (physically), but the "eternal symbolism" is there.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, wedding rings were commonly made with buildings represented on them, a common wedding ring was the hoy sepulcher, or church.

Clement of Alexandria, a patristic early church father, taught that the wearing of rings was acceptable, especially for marriages. though the common wearing of gold rings int eh first century was a display of wealth and most commonly was shown in symbolism for various pagan and idolatrous images.

Until the time of Augustus reign, a roman male wearing a gold ring showed that he belonged to the second highest order of nobility - a knight.

from the very earliest times of the pharonic dynasties, finger rings were used as symbol of authority and office. Pharaoh gave such a ring (tabba'at) to Joseph as a sign of his royal authority.

The "eternal" wedding ring is a symbol of faithfulness. an engagement ring is given as a token of betrothal by a man to his fiance'.

Wearing a wedding ring does not make you "married" any more than being baptized makes you saved. it is a symbol. the wedding ring is a symbol of unbroken fidelity to the marital promises. the marriage ceremony emphasizes the equal call and obligation of both spouses to remain faithful - thus the eternal circle/ring.

[Mike Vande]

The wedding ring is a voluntary identification of oneself as married. It's a public declaration that a person is committed to another person.

Frankly, a lot of things used to mean one thing and now mean another. I don't know or care what a wedding ring used to mean, or where it came from any more than I care who started using Christmas trees first. It doesn't mean what it used to anymore.

[pastorables]

simply because, to me, it serves no purpose.

Why?

Everyone at my job knows I am married. And they are surprised that I do NOT wear a wedding ring. To me, a watch with your wedding date enscribed underneath would serve a more useful purpose. At least it gives you the time of day. And tends to be less expensive.

The classical response of the ages. I've even used it myself. Why?

I am just curious.

Are you really? The way your post is framed seems as if there is a hidden sermon. Why?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

pa

[MOREGODlessme]

It never ceases to amaze me how a simple question gets turned into something comepletely opposite from the question itself.
All I asked was everyone's opinion of the significance of the wedding ring. Geez, you guys need a valium. I never inferred, in any way shape or form, about what any organization teaches. The question just popped into my mind while reading that other stuff.
A simple question is all I asked. But many here do not believe in simple answers.
Let me try this again...I ask a question. I give my answer to said question. Then HOPEFULLY, others will give their answers to said question. That's all I hope for. Not vicious attacks about my so-called "upbringing."
It's a SIMPLE question. Can anyone here give a SIMPLE answer?
The question is....What is the significance in the wedding ring? My answer is...I see none. That's it.

How about you all.


FYI...my watch is made of rubber. It's a TIMEX IRONMAN. Very glamorous.


NOW here is a shocker. For once, I agree with Mr. Vande. The wedding band does not stand for what it once stood for.
As I said earlier, I dated a girl who wore a wedding ring. I was not saved at the time, therfore, I was not THAT concerned. I believe if one does wear one, they'd better back up the symbolism that comes with it. In this day and time, acting married stands out more than wearing a hunk of metal.


P.S. I sense much hostility. Wendy, where did that come from. My opinion is no more important than anyone elses. I never inferred that either. READ everything I said. Not just what you want to read.
WENDY SAID:Just because you think a wedding band is pointless because of your upbringing, doesn't give you the right to treat people with a downcast stare for not measuring up to your OPINION.


My how things get misread on here.

I feel the love.

I meant nothing harsh by this. Honestly. If my brother would have asked this, it would NOT have been handled this way. But I am not part of the "Click."

I am TCOG. The scourge of the internet religion.

But GOD still loves me. No more or less than He does you.


You people really know how to hurt and attack people. And then have no remorse to apologize.


Thanks for everything.

[RamboPreacher]

...

You people really know how to hurt and attack people. And then have no remorse to apologize.


Thanks for everything.

interesting how you have inferred everyone is attacking you. i am offended at that inclusion.

[Gerald Creasy]

I am TCOG. The scourge of the internet religion.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

But GOD still loves me. No more or less than He does you.

Well Gee. Thats not what y'all said in what was it 1990?

I thought the whole thing WAS becsue God Loved y'all perfect holy ones and us filthy heathen were going to split hell wide open.

ELSE WHY DID YOU REBEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You people really know how to hurt and attack people. And then have no remorse to apologize.


Thanks for everything.

What are you....like...twelve???

[MOREGODlessme]

Hidden messages. Give me a break. I'm not smart enough to plant hidden messages in anything I say. I just speak straight forward.

Can anybody show some testicle fortitude to just and the question?

What is the importance of a wedding ring?

Knock off the pontifical "you think you are better than us" crap.

I am nothing. You are nothing. When we realize that, we all might be something.


Just a simple answer to a simple question if you please.



By the way, I DID NOT rebel. I left COGOP and was churchless for a year or so. So leaving COGOP is an act of rebellion. So the other shoe drops.

[Gerald Creasy]

Hidden messages. Give me a break. I'm not smart enough to plant hidden messages in anything I say. I just speak straight forward.

Can anybody show some testicle fortitude to just and the question?

What is the importance of a wedding ring?

Why does it rile you so much?
Do you think someone who dosent have some bizarre eisegetical edict NOT to wear one would worry about it?

Knock off the pontifical "you think you are better than us" crap.

Not sure if "pontifical" would apply to this situation but I give you credit for at least attempting to use it.

It would be easy to knock off if it wasnt what TCOG was founded on.

I am nothing. You are nothing. When we realize that, we all might be something.

koo koo kachoo to you too

So leaving COGOP is an act of rebellion. So the other shoe drops.

With TCOG yes it was. Stiff necked. Hard harded self righteous that would not submit to authority.

Yes rebellion does aptly describe it.