Why Marry? Part 34

[_with a wave of the hand_]

It makes all science look like a ... mere machine.

THEODORE

Well, if you feel so strongly about it ... better come to church after all!

ERNEST

I'm not talking about the Church--I'm talking about _religion_.

THEODORE

You're not talking about religion; you're talking about--love.

ERNEST

[_quietly_]

Certainly; the same thing, isn't it? I'm talking about the divine fire that glorifies life and perpetuates it--the one eternal thing we mortals share with G.o.d.... If _that_ isn't religious, what is? [_THEODORE smiles indulgently._] Tell me, Theodore--you know I wasn't allowed to go to church when young, and since then I've always worked on the holy Sabbath day, like yourself--does the Church still let innocent human beings think there's something inherently wrong about s.e.x? [_THEODORE drops his eyes. ERNEST disgusted with him._] I see! Good people should drop their eyes even at the mention of the word.

THEODORE

s.e.x is a necessary evil, I admit, but----

ERNEST

[_laughs_]

Evil! The G.o.d-given impulse which accounts for you sitting there, for me sitting here? The splendid instinct which writes our poetry, builds our civilizations, founds our churches--the very heart and soul of life is evil. Really, Theodore, I don't know much about religion, but that strikes me as blasphemy against the Creator.

THEODORE

Very scientific, my boy, very modern; but the Church believed in marriage before Science was born.

ERNEST

As a compromise with evil?

THEODORE

As a sacrament of religion--and so do you!

ERNEST

Good! Then why practise and preach marriage as a sacrament of property?

"Who giveth this woman to be married to this man--" Women are still goods and chattels to be given or sold, are they?

THEODORE

Oh, nonsense!

ERNEST

Then why keep on making them promise to "serve and obey"? Why marry them with a ring--the link of the ancient chain? [_He smiles._] In the days of physical force it was made of iron--now of gold. But it's still a chain, isn't it?

THEODORE

Symbols, my dear fellow, not to be taken in a literal sense--time-honored and beautiful symbols.

ERNEST

But why insult a woman you respect--even symbolically?

THEODORE

[_with a laugh_]

Oh, you scientists!

ERNEST

[_joining in the laugh_]

We try to find the truth--and you try to hide it, eh? Well, there's one thing we have in common, anyway--one faith I'll never doubt again; I believe in Heaven now. I always shall.

THEODORE

Do you mind telling me why, my boy?