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Survey Finds 76 Percent of Americans Believe Living Together before Marriage is Ok

  • Veronica Neffinger

    Veronica Neffinger wrote her first poem at age seven and went on to study English in college, focusing on 18th century literature. When she is not listening to baseball games, enjoying the…

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  • Updated Jan 28, 2016

A recent national survey has revealed that 76 percent of Americans ages 18 to 31 believe that living together before marriage is not morally wrong.

Charisma News contributor Larry Tomczak warns parents and grandparents that this is a dangerous belief. Tomczak reminds his readers that young people are being told from television, movies, Hollywood, and from culture in general that living together before marriage is fine.

Sixty-five percent of young couples now live together before marriage. Some of these couples also identify as Christians.

Tomczak cites some common arguments these couples give for living together before marriage: "'Look, times have changed. We have to face certain realities of living in the 21st century. We're going to get married eventually. Like buying a car, you've got to try it out first. What difference does a certificate really make—it's  just a piece of paper. We're older ... more mature ... been divorced ... not ready financially ... aren't sexually involved ... providing parents for a child ... benefiting from tax incentives ...have peace that God understands our unique situation ... look how many people even 'Christians' are doing it!'"

However, says Tomczak, living together before marriage goes against God’s revealed will and will inevitably bring consequences. He instead encourages young couples to live in moral purity.

Publication date: January 28, 2016