In canon law, affinity is an impediment to marriage of a couple due to the relationship which either party has as a result of a kinship relationship created by another marriage or as a result of out of marriage intercourse. The relationships that give rise to the impediment have varied over time, and there are varied views between various Christian denominations as to which relationships result in an impediment to marriage. Marriages and sexual relations between people in an affinity relationship are regarded as incestuous.