Essay on A Daring Promise: A Spirituality Of Christian Marriage.
Why do you think people tend to look for a “soul mate” rather than a “companion” in their search for a life partner? What are the differences in these two images of a life partner?
People tend to look for a “soul mate” rather than a “companion” in their search for a life partner because Christian marriage is based on “social contract between two people”, on commitment based on Christ’s love, according to Richard Gaillardetz (60). A “soul mate” and a “companion” are two different persons. As a rule, sole mate relationships are stable, respectful and loving. Men and women are full of commitment and are open with their deepest feelings to each other. According to Richard Gaillardetz, “the myth of “the right one” is often articulated in the language of “soul mates” (6). This fact means that it is very difficult to find a “soul mate” as a life partner. In most cases, people find “companions” as life partners who are not ideal. In fact, the soul mate ideal for marriage often leads to unrealistic expectations and divorces. People try to search for new partners that will have characteristics of soul mates, but not merely companions.
Do you think men and women respond differently to fantasy in their relationships?
I think that men and women respond differently to fantasy in their relationships because men and women have different interests and different values. In some cases, women do not understand the fantasies of men, while men do not understand the fantasies of women. According to Richard Gaillardetz, “marriage demands conversion from both husbands and wives”(65). But, due to gender-related differences, men and women have different attitudes, ideas and beliefs in their relationships. In fact, fantasies cannot substitute real relationships with a real person. In some cases, fantasies in relationships between men and women can lead to conflict situations because some ideas may be represented in negative forms, which are often dishonoring or hurting.
