While almost every major organized religion views marriage as a foundational building block for society, there are a few belief systems and religious groups that either reject the concept entirely, view it as inferior to a single life, or have ceased to exist because of their “no-marriage” rules.
Here is a look at those unique perspectives:
1. The Shakers (United Society of Believers)
The Shakers are the most famous example of a religious group that prohibited marriage.
- The Rule: They practiced absolute celibacy. Men and women lived in the same communities but slept in separate wings and worked separately.
- The Logic: They believed that the “root of all evil” was the “lust of the flesh.” To lead a perfectly holy life, one had to renounce sex and marriage entirely.
- The Result: Because they did not have children, the only way to grow the religion was through adoption or conversion. Today, the religion is nearly extinct, with only a tiny handful of members remaining.
2. Jainism (Ascetic Tradition)
While Jain laypeople (regular followers) do marry, the “highest” form of the religion—followed by monks and nuns—strictly forbids marriage.
- The Belief: Marriage is seen as a form of “Mohaniya Karma” (attachment). In Jainism, the ultimate goal is Moksha (liberation), which requires the soul to be free from all worldly attachments.
- No Exceptions: Once an individual takes the vow of Diksha (renunciation) to become a monk or nun, they are religiously “dead” to their former family and cannot ever marry.
3. Buddhism (The Monastic Path)
Similar to Jainism, Buddhism is split into two “tiers” regarding marriage.
- Monasticism: For monks and nuns, marriage is completely non-existent. It is considered a distraction from the path to Enlightenment.
- Secular View: Unlike Christianity or Hinduism, Buddhism does not view marriage as a “sacrament” or a religious ceremony. It is considered a civil or social contract.
- The Ritual: There are no “wedding rites” in original Buddhist scriptures. You won’t find a Buddha-prescribed “vow” for marriage; monks may bless a couple, but the marriage itself is a secular matter.
4. The Cathars (Gnosticism)
The Cathars were a medieval religious group in Europe (12th–14th centuries) who held radical views.
- The Rejection: They believed the physical world was created by an “evil god” (the Demiurge). Therefore, bringing children into the world through marriage was seen as trapping more souls in “fleshly prisons.”
- The “Perfects”: Their leaders, known as Perfecti, were strictly forbidden from marrying or having any sexual contact.
5. Modern “Spirituality” and No-Marriage Sects
Certain modern religious movements or cult-like structures have occasionally banned marriage to ensure total devotion to a leader or a cause:
- The Essenes: An ancient Jewish sect (active during the 2nd century BCE) often associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Many of their communities were strictly male and rejected marriage, believing it hindered spiritual purity.
- Aetherius Society: While not banning it, some “UFO religions” and New Age groups de-emphasize traditional marriage in favor of “cosmic unions” or “spiritual partnerships” that don’t follow legal marriage structures.
Summary Comparison Table
| Group | Status of Marriage | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Shakers | Forbidden | Celibacy was a requirement for salvation. |
| Jain Monks | Forbidden | To break all worldly and emotional attachments. |
| Cathars | Rejected | Marriage was seen as a trap for the soul. |
| Buddhists | Secular only | Not a religious rite; monks are forbidden. |
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Fun Fact: Technically, nature has no marriage! Marriage is a purely human social and religious construct. While some animals “pair-bond” for life (like swans or gibbons), the concept of a “formalized union” with rules and ceremonies is unique to human belief systems.
Does this answer your curiosity about the religious rejection of marriage, or were you looking for a group that has “partnerships” without the legal label?