Who are you to say it should be handled at all? Answer my question: why do you need to know unless you're getting involved with those people? You DON'T Unless you want to exploit that information. "That's a separate issue" my foot.
Just like with ladies' name prefixes- they invented Ms. because it's nobodies business in the professional world if someone is married or not. You simply don't need to know- that's how it's "simple". The "hidden reality" is that it's not your business!
Unless I'm going to marry a woman, I'd rather not find out she was divorced. I don't need to know that, any more than anything else she did before she was saved.
SMH
"Good grief..."
In the context of my discussion of the use of the word 'single' as it applies to marital status, I am only talking about
the usage of the word 'single' as it applies to marital status.
My use of the word 'handled' in the post you quoted is with regard to
the usage of the word 'single' as it applies to marital status.
It is "a separate issue" (or, should be) in that it is dealt with (or, should be) separately from
the usage of the word 'single' as it applies to marital status.
In other words, "preconceived ideas about divorced/widowed people"
should not be "attached" to the word 'single' in such a way that
the mere use of the word "conjures up" all of the 'baggage' and 'crap'
of the kind that has been filling up this thread.
The pure evidence of this in this thread absolutely-beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt proves beyond question what I am saying about the effects of not using this word properly in this context.
In the context of my discussion - I am not interested in - nor am I talking about - anyone's sexual mores, the government, or whatever...
I am not declaring any right or privilege to "lord over" or be the judge of anyone's life.
None of these "conjured up" ideas about what I am saying have anything whatsoever to do with what I am saying.
I am
only talking about the correct and proper use of the word 'single' as it applies to marital status.
That is all.
All of the rest of the 'crap' going on in this thread is coming from the conscience of other people about issues that they have somehow managed to "attach" to the word 'single'.
If you (generic/whoever) are [automatically] offended ["outright"] by someone's marital status, then you have a problem that this thread cannot even begin to approach.
Only by your reckoning, which you haven't shown a biblical basis for.
I think you missed the part where God said we should be truthful and not lie to each other.
Show the basis for your mastery of "marital status terminology".
I believe that the [real, true] historical record shows the original intent and use of the word 'single' with regard to 'marital status'.
And, common sense knows that it really is the best way to define it.
~
I guess you would have me to "lead her on" until she falls in love with me - and then
tear her heart out when I find out she is divorced - and have to tell her that, out of 'principle', I cannot marry her.
NO - it is not right.
It is better to know the truth up front in order to protect her. (and not just me)
I have no intention to marry a divorced woman. (My personal [biblical] conviction and preference.)
Therefore, I
need to know "early on" - for her sake as well as mine.
Besides - why go through all of that time and effort if it is "doomed from the get-go"...???