Bible-based Premarital Counseling Challenged

A group called Americans for Separation of Church and State filed suit yesterday to block federal financing for an organization that provides premarital and marriage counseling based on the Bible.

The lawsuit is another challenge to the Bush administration’s efforts to channel money for social services to religious organizations. While religious groups are not barred from getting public money, such financing can only be used for secular purposes, not “worship, religious instruction or proselytization,” according to government guidelines.

Americans United, a watchdog group based in Washington, D.C., filed the lawsuit in Federal District Court in Tacoma, Wash., on behalf of 13 state residents. They object to federal funds being used to support the Northwest Marriage Institute, which states in its newsletter that it offers “Bible-based premarital and marriage counseling.” The institute, in Vancouver, Wash., received $97,750 in federal grants in 2005 from the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Emmitt Smith Underwent Premarital Counseling

I was reading a news bit on a pastor who was charged with raping 3 women, 2 of which were in his Church group, when I came across a less-known fact about Emmitt Smith. Apparently, he underwent premarital counseling with the pastor convicted of these heinous acts. He wrote a letter to the judge explaining what an outstanding guy he was, etc. Famous football player Deion Sanders did the same. However, their plea for leniency was denied and the man was sentenced to 15 years in prison this week.

Insightful Article on Pre-Marriage Counseling

I was browsing through Ezine's article database and came across this very interesting piece on premarital counseling. Enjoy!

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Courtney Cox & David Arquette Go To Marriage Counseling

I can't help but to think that had these two attended premarital counseling sessions, their marriage would not be on the rocks right now. This is a quintessential example of people not aware of the benefits of such therapy. And these are the types of people that need to be setting examples for us, because as sad as it is to believe, our society thrives off of celebrity news/gossip. Therefore, what they do is essentially copied by the masses. The couple decided to opt for marriage counseling after they found themselves fighting in front of the paparrazi on vacation.

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More Men Seek Family Counseling in Cuba

One out of four people attending the Counseling Centers for Women and Families in Las Tunas is a man.

This would not be news except that male chauvinism has traditionally characterized relations between sexes in Cuba and Latin America in general, but times are changing for Cuban machismo.

So far this year, more than 11,400 local women have gone to the centers seeking expert help with problems associated with human relationships, illustrating a growing understanding about the importance of finding informed solutions to such difficulties.

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Top 2 Topics in Premarital Counseling

According to ChristianityToday.com, the top two topics of premarital counseling are children and finances. One-third of the couple chose those as key issues to cover before getting married. A mere 19% claim that religion is important, while only 7% cite work-life issues.

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Legislators Propose Marriage License Discount for Counseling

Lawmakers in North Dakota recently proposed a $25 discount for couples who get at least four hours of premarital counseling before they apply for a marriage license. The bill under review would offer $25 discounts to only low-income couples who get premarital counseling. Sen. Trenbeath, suggesting all couples should be offered an incentive to get counseling, said "What are we intending to do here?"

We need more of these types of bills all over this country. And we need more Senators like Mr. Trenbeath who stand up for what's right!

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Premarital Counseling..... Welcome

Premarital counseling is extremely beneficial in giving marriages an increased chance at keeping faithful to their "till death do us part" vow. Yet, most people forego the therapy which contributes to our 50+% divorce rate. I firmly believe that one of the biggest reasons people do not undergo premarital counseling is because of lack of knowledge. Rarely, if ever do counselors advertise their services to the engaged-to-be-married population. Nor is there much information available about the benefits and ease of premarital counseling. Thus the creation of this blog. Here, you will find news, articles, success stories and updates about premarital counseling!