Faithfulness means unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. It may be exhibited, for example, by a husband or wife who does not engage in sexual relationships outside of the marriage.[1] It can also mean keeping one's promises no matter the prevailing circumstances, such as in certain communities of monks who take a vow of silence.[2] Literally, it is the state of being full of faith in the sense of steady devotion to a person, thing, or concept.
Etymology edit
Its etymology is distantly related to that of fidelity; indeed, in modern electronic devices, a machine with high "fidelity" is considered "faithful" to its source material.[citation needed] Similarly, a spouse who, inside a sexually exclusive relationship, has sexual relations outside of marriage could be considered as being "unfaithful" and as having committed "infidelity".[3]
Religions edit
Sexual faithfulness within a marriage is a required tenet in Christianity—one of the four pillars of marriage.[4] It is also required in Jewish marriage,[5] and Islam.[6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Meaning of faithful in English". Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "faithful". Merriam Webster. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ Newman, David M.; Grauerholz, Elizabeth (2002). Sociology of Families. U.S.A.: Pine Forge Press. p. 267.
- ^ "The sacrament of Matrimony". Catechism of the Catholic Church. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ Browning, Don S.; Christian, M.; Green, John Witte Jr. (2009). Sex, Marriage, and Family in World Religions. U.S.A.: Columbia University Press. p. 2.
- ^ Taylor, Ina (2005). Religion and Life with Christianity and Islam. U.K.: Heinemann. p. 50.
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