QUESTION: Should children ever be encouraged to marry at the age of 14?

 

This is a question I have really not thought much about, until I heard a minister discuss this option on a radio talk show. Rev. Allen is the pastor of the Atlanta based church that made the national news after some of the parents in the congregation had their children taken away from them, because they followed the scriptural guidelines regarding spanking children. While the matter has not been completely resolved, I understand most of the children have been returned to the custody of their parents and Rev. Allen still preaches the same “rod of correction” doctrine as based in the bible.

 

I like what I hear about Rev. Allen, as he is a man who preaches what he believes, even when his message brings trouble his way. Most preachers will back down or run, if they are made the target of civil or criminal investigations. It seems as if “their god” has less power than a mere human being with a gun and a badge. It is no wonder that our churches are filled with those who profess to believe God and His word, but are infidels at heart?

 

Rev. Allen is well aware of how out of control our youth is, especially those in ghetto type neighborhoods where crime is the primary job opening available for the average youth or adult. Children raised in such environments are very likely to become users of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, and use these substances on a routine basis.

 

These same kids are often raised by single parents, or in homes where “shacking up” is a way of life. Discipline in non-existent, and “love” usually comes in the form of lust, rape, and in other forms of sexual and physical abuse. This type of lifestyle has become commonplace in all segments of society, as people have lost touch with their Creator and embraced the lies of the national religion called secular humanism.

 

With this sad state of affairs, Rev. Allen decided years ago to offer a better alternative to the problems created by “children having children” throughout society. Our family services people complicate the matter by suggesting condoms are the answer, to prevent the birth of illegitimate children. If this method fails, they have a simple solution called “abortion.” While adoption is a much better alternative than the two mentioned above, these so-called guardians of children’s rights have made adoption into an expensive and complex legal process.

 

Rev. Allen’s answer is simple. If young teenagers have sex and conceive a child, encourage and allow them to marry each other. When I first heard this suggestion, I thought it was absurd. But after careful consideration of this option, I like Rev. Allen believe it may be the best option after all.

 

If a young girl gets pregnant, she is really in big trouble! It will negatively affect her chances to complete her education, and most likely place her into a welfare system that may well doom her and her future children to a cycle of living off governmental handouts. A young girl who becomes sexually active, is very unlikely to be able to stop, and keep her legs crossed for very long.

 

After a few years of such activity the fruit of her sexual unions will be disease, more illegitimate children, and a lifestyle without morality or standards of decency. Many of these young women will opt for an abortion, and live the remainder of their life on earth with a burden of guilt they cannot escape from. As usual, the world’s answers are worse than the problems.

 

If the parents of teenagers who are having sex can get together and discuss the marriage option regarding their youth, they may be able to put a halt to the damage already done, and provide an escape from a miserable life of sin and shame. Think about the positive benefits of marriage, even if the bride and groom are but children themselves.

 

Both the boy and the girl will have a safe outlet for their sexual activity, as the bible say that marriage is honorable in ALL. If young children are having sex anyway, and their parents won’t stop them, the marriage option is a definite plus!

 

The baby will have two parents, and not be subject to being terminated or registered as being an illegitimate child at birth. If the parents of the teenagers will consent to the marriage of their youth, it is very likely they will also help in the rearing of the baby until the child’s parents mature enough to care for a baby on their own.

 

If the teenage parents are in their early teens they could reside in the home of the parents of the bride or groom, and be cared for until they graduate from school and enter the job market. They would also be subject to the rules of their parent’s household, and subject to their discipline until they moved out and set up house on their own.

 

While all of this would not be a perfect solution, it would offer a much better alternative than casual sex, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases. Rev. Allen has seen this work time after time, and he claims the kids who marry at a very young age usually stay together longer than many adults who enter into holy wedlock.

 

The best option is for parents to make sure their children stay sexually pure, and all of the problems mention above will not have to occur. Rev. Allen is simply saying, IF your child is having sex and a child has been conceived as a result of their sexual acts, marriage may well be the best option available for the teens involved. I now see the merit and the wisdom of this concept, and I believe we need to begin to tell others about it…

 

Charles Gleason

02/20/02