Marriage rates lowest since records began nearly 150 years ago

Captain Sensible writes: Amazing, isn't it? There has been blanket coverage in the UK about this, but to quote from just one (see link below): "The proportion of men and women getting married is below any level found since figures were first kept nearly 150 years ago. And the number of weddings held in 2006 was the smallest since 1895, when the population was little more than half its present level."
The article goes on to say that: "The evidence that marriage is withering away at an increasing pace was met with a furious response", with one researcher describing it as a "disaster" for society.
Even during the world wars, marriage rates were higher than they are now.
So we would assume that the church would be the leading light in defending marriage, right? Especially because even out of the few marriages that are occurring, two-thirds them are civil ceremonies!
Apparently not. Instead, the latest crackpot theory is that singleness is a gift because it causes suffering (God's gifts cause suffering now, in case you didn't know!), and that disciplines us, and so brings God glory.
You really couldn't make it up.
Thank God that there are people outside of the church that are willing to defend marriage.

Daily Mail article.