Alternatives to Marriage

Cohabitation The Roman Catholic Church is totally opposed to people cohabiting (living together without being married). Sexual intercourse outside of a marriage is a serious sin and couples who sin in this way cannot receive communion in church. Some Protestant churches accept cohabitation although they hope that the couple will choose eventually to be married in church. Religious view on cohabitation- Sikhism: Cohabitation is not allowed in Sikhism, Having Sexual intercourse outside marriage is seen as wrong, this is because the spiritual journey of two souls joining into one body has not started. A promise has not been made in front of God, The Guru and the sangat. So sexual activity without being married could be almost seen as lust and just for the means to fulfil sexual desire. A marriage also brings two families together and Sikhs believe that it is important that the families get on. This is one of the reasons why Sikhs encourage their children to marry other Sikhs

Celibacy Celibacy refers to a state of being unmarried and a virgin. This is usually in association with the role of a religious official or devotee, e.g. Nuns, Monks, Bishops etc. who want to “save themselves for God”. Christians believe that marriage is for those who have a lack of self control in terms of sex. However, if you are committed to God and you have a lack of interest in sex, then marriage is not a priority for you. The view of the Church is that celibacy is a reflection of life in Heaven, a source of detachment from the material world which aids in one's relationship with God. Celibacy is designed to "consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to the affairs of the Lord, they give themselves entirely to God and to men. It is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.” Religious views on Celibacy- Sikhism: Celibacy isn't pushed in Sikhism, it is urged that a man and woman combine in the spiritual event of marriage, further then going on to re-produce and raising Sikh children. However There are many Sikhs who choose to remain celibate, or lose their spouse and stay celibate the rest of their lives. For those who are unmarried, celibacy is by default the expected lifestyle choice. ( could be more cultural and the way societies expectations rather then religious views) 

Prostitution The law that God gave to Israel commanded: “Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, in order that the land may not commit prostitution and the land actually be filled with loose morals.” (Le 19:29) Adultery was prohibited by the seventh commandment (Ex 20:14; De 5:18) The girl found guilty of having married under the false pretence of virginity was to be put to death. (De 22:13-21) The engaged girl who committed fornication with another man was considered the same as an adulterous wife, and she was put to death. (De 22:23, 24) The single girl who committed fornication was to be married to the man who seduced her unless the father refused to permit the marriage.—Ex 22:16, 17; De 22:28, 29. Religious View on prostitution: Sikhism- “Chastity” is a very important aspect of Sikh teaching because the divine spark of Waheguru (god) is present in every human body, so the body has to be clean and perfect. From this statement it can be gathered that prostitution is seen as an immoral act, payment for sexual intercourse is abusing the human body and almost exploiting it diminishing the amount of purity the body holds in the eyes of god.

Sex before marriage It is sinful even if you love each other. Being in love doesn't alter the reality that the sexual act is outside of marriage, marriage being the ceremonial union of a man and woman in matrimony. Sex outside of marriage is called fornication and the Bible definitely condemns it. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man." (Matt. 15:19-20) "Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Heb. 13:4) Extra-marital sex: Big no-no. Why? The Guru teaches that lust is one of the five poisons which cloud a person's mind. Sex, in and of itself, is not bad. It is the creative power of God and should be enjoyed. However, it is something that needs to be enjoyed in a way that honours the sacred relationship between the two individuals and so the only sexual relationships blessed in the Sikh tradition are those between a man and a woman who have committed to living as husband and wife before God, Guru and the sangat. But outside of marriage, it creates a block to the spiritual practice of unity. Being unfaithful to your partner breaks trust and, without trust, becoming one soul just isn't possible.

Single and career driven  For single women, unfortunately, a Christian community often presents a source of discouragement instead of encouragement. Sometimes, the emphasis Christian communities place on marriage is so great that the single life is harshly condemned as sinful.  The belief that remaining single is legitimate and godly is a work of the devil. Satan dishonours marriage by fooling us into believing that singleness is okay. …men and women who are not connected in marriage are like the mutilated members of a mangled body.