Open marriages, living together, "modern dating", etc. is nothing more than an attack on the purpose of marriage. Let us face it, those that sleep around and then decide to "settle down" with one partner, what do you really bring to the marriage? There is nothing special. It is just an agreement to only have one intimate partner for the rest of your life with the one you decided to settle down with and evidently, that is not even true with open marriages. There is no wonder of why people refer to marriage as a piece of paper and many choose to not get one. And no wonder many marriages are dull, boring, a feeling like friends sharing a life together instead of actually being a married couple. No wonder it is easy to fight with a spouse. If the fight goes too far, just get a new spouse or go back to playing the field again. The specialty of marriage is mostly gone in this "modern world". If you are single, never been married, and have not had intimacy, continue to hold out and be patient to find that other special partner. The blessings of God will be tremendous. Those that already fallen, repent and be celibate. We cannot lie but that special blessing of marriage is lost. A person cannot pretend it did not happen. The experience has already happened. By remaining celibate, it will help the future marriage but it will not be perfect. Besides, when a person actually engages in such activity, technically before God, they are married: "And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's [death]" (Genesis 24:67). Isaac and Rebekah went into the tent as a couple and came out husband and wife. We are pretty sure there was no minister hiding in the tent with them. Let us teach our youth the sanctity of marriage. Do not simply teach them that intimacy is for marriage; teach them that it is marriage. The public marriage ceremony is like baptism. It is a public display of a commitment. A person is not a Christian on the day of baptism. It is an outward commitment to being a Christian. And by the way, when we state the word "intimacy", that includes things leading up to it. It may sound old fashion but that is because society has changed. The intent of God is that at the ceremony, the couple finally get to kiss. So even "making out" should be off the table before the eyes of God. No wonder Joseph was ready to divorce Mary even before being married. That shows that all of the modern aspects of "dating" is wrong.