Christian Attitudes to Divorce

General Christian View
1. Divorce is wrong because it separates the bond that was created when the 2 people got married.
2. "What God has brought together, no human being can separate." (Mark 10)
Roman Catholic View
1. Absolutely wrong - marriage is a sacrament + covenant that must be kept.
2. "A man will unite with his wife + the two will become one." (Mark 10)
  1. This is explained in marriage vow: "till death do us part..."
3. Do allow annulment - marriage is declared as null and void - it never existed.
  1. However, it is NOT the RC answer to divorce. Only happens on certain grounds e.g. partners didn't understand implications of marriage at the time.
4. Have view that if a person divorces + remarries, they commit adultery.
  1. “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her." Mark 10.
Protestant View
1. Also believe marriage is lifelong
2. However, it is the lesser of two evils as worse evil would be dealing with abuse in relationship + so divorce allows it to end.
3. Allow re-marriage e.g. Prince Charles.
Divorce Act
1. 1971 Act allowed divorce if there was 'irretrievable breakdown of marriage' - no chance of getting together again because of difficulties.
2. Allowed for divorce after 5 yrs' separation if only one partner wanted it, but after 2 yrs separation if both agreed.
3. In 1983, there were 162 000 divorces, double the number in 1971 since Act.

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	Created by anndjan21 about 10 years ago