1.2.2 Marriage and Divorce

Question 1

What do many christians believe marriage is? (5)

Answer 1

• It is a sacred bond - God is present at the service and unites the couple spiritually.
• It is the basis of family life - the best environment for children to be born into. It is a secure and stable environment for children.
• It is a lifelong commitment.
• It strengthens community - it provides a model for other relationships. Through marriage people learn to be good friends, how to be supportive, tolerant, forgiving …
• It is a Gift from God - God intended for human beings to be joined together. In the Genesis creation story, God saw that Adam was lonely and so created Eve to be his companion.

Question 2

What 5 features are required to happen at a marriage ceremony for the marriage to be legally recognised?

Answer 2

• The minister must ask if there is anyone present who knows of a reason why the couple should not be married.
• The couple must give their consent to each other.
• The couple must exchange vows. It is this that actually marries the couple.
• The couple must be proclaimed husband and wife.
• The signing of the marriage certificate - a legal contract.

Question 3

What 6 features of a wedding mark its religious nature?

Answer 3

• It is administrated by a vicar/priest.
• Prayers of thanksgiving (for the gift of love, for the coming together of the couple and for the gift of children and family life). In these pravers God is asked to help and guide the couple in their married life. Prayers of praise might also be said, these acknowledge the greatness of God and the gifts he has given to humanity.
• A Biblical passage might be read. This passage will usually focus on the gift and nature of love or the joy and responsibilities of married life. The belief that love and marriage are gifts from God is further recognised.
• The minister will ask God to bless the couple.
• It usually takes place in a church or chapel.
• Some Christians may choose to take Holy Communion during the wedding ceremony.

Question 4

What are 2 examples of symbolic wedding traditions?

Answer 4

• The exchange of rings; to remind the couple of their marriage vows, and as a symbol of love that is eternal.
• The father gives the bride away. This tradition is intended to show that the woman has left the care of her father and is now placed into the care of her husband.

Question 5

What 4 commitments are made in the vows at a wedding ceremony?

Answer 5

• To be faithful to each other.
• To remain together for life.
• To support each other in times of hardship and illness.
• To show love and kindness towards each other.

Question 6

What 6 beliefs are reinforced during the marriage service for Christians?

Answer 6

• Marriage is a spiritual union that is created by God - it is sacred.
• Marriage is a gift from God and is intended by God.
• Marriage is a lifelong commitment.
• Sexual relationships should happen within a loving and supportive relationship such as marriage.
• Marriage is a secure basis for family life.
• Marriage is good for the individual and society.

Question 7

Marriage is a spiritual union that is created by God. How is this demonstrated in a wedding ceremony?

Answer 7

This is demonstrated when the priest conducting the service says;

“Those whom God has joined let no one put asunder.”

Question 8

Marriage is a gift from God and is intended by God. How is this demonstrated in a wedding ceremony?

Answer 8

This is demonstrated when the priest conducting the service says;

“Marriage is a gift of God in creation …”

Question 9

Marriage is a lifelong commitment. How is this demonstrated in a wedding ceremony?

Answer 9

This is demonstrated when the priest conducting the service says;

“… as long as you both shall live?”

Question 10

Sexual relationships should happen within a loving and supportive relationship such as marriage. How is this demonstrated in a wedding ceremony?

Answer 10

This is demonstrated when the priest conducting the service says;

“The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union …”

Question 11

Marriage is a secure basis for family life. How is this demonstrated in a wedding ceremony?

Answer 11

This is demonstrated when the priest conducting the service says;

“… in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort …”

Question 12

Marriage is good for the individual and society. How is this demonstrated in a wedding ceremony?

Answer 12

This is demonstrated when the priest conducting the service says;

Marriage “..enriches society and strengthens community”

Question 13

What are the 9 wedding vows, and what do each of them mean?

Answer 13

• To have and to hold => to be physically together in a sexual relationship
• From this day forward => this day marks the beginning of the marriage
• For better for worse => that the marriage should last through good times and difficult time
• For richer for poorer => the marriage should last whether the couple are wealthy or poor
• In sickness and in health => to support each other through mental and physical illness
• To love and to cherish => the couple should support and care for each other
• Till death us do part => that the marriage is expected to be a lifelong commitment
• According to God’s holy law => that the marriage is ordained by God
• And this is my solemn vow => that the vows are a serious commitment taken by the couple

Question 14

What expectations for marriage are reinforced during the service? (6)

Answer 14

• To support & care for each other during difficult times such as during illness or through financial difficulty.
• That marriage is a lifelong commitment.
• That the couple will enjoy sexual union.
• To love, trust and be faithful to each other.
• To forsake all others (or to put your partner before all others).
• Companionship.

Question 15

Why don’t Catholics recognise divorce? (sacrament) What is this belief based on?

Answer 15

Marriage is a sacrament that is permanent, exclusive and life-long. God joins husband and wife together spiritually during the marriage ceremony and that cannot be undone. Even if a couple legally divorce (called a civil divorce) the spiritual union between them cannot be dissolved.
This belief is based on Mark 10:9;

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate”

Question 16

What do Catholics believe about divorcing, and then marrying again? What is the belief based on?

Answer 16

Catholics believe that anyone who gains a civil divorce and then marries another person commits adultery because they are still spiritually joined to their first partner.
In Mark 10:11 - 12 Jesus says;

“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Question 17

What does divorce do according to catholics?

Answer 17

Divorce breaks the promises that the couple made to each in the presence of God.

Question 18

Do catholics believe people are allowed to cohabit with someone else if their marriage has broken down, and what can they not have if they do this?

Answer 18

If a marriage has broken down the couple are allowed to separate. However, once separated they are not permitted to cohabit with someone else, if they do they are not allowed to receive Holy Communion during Mass.

Question 19

What is an annulment?

Answer 19

An annulment is a ruling by the Catholic Church that a marriage was never valid. Catholics whose marriage is annulled are free to marry again in church.

Question 20

What circumstances are annulments granted in? (2)

Answer 20

• The married couple have not had sex.
• If it can be shown that the marriage should not have taken place (for example, the person was forced into the marriage or was not of sound mind).

Question 21

What does the Anglican Church believe about divorce?

Answer 21

The Anglican Church accepts divorce but the remarriage of the divorced person is left to the personal decision of the minister. Priests who are uncomfortable with remarriage may offer a blessing instead. The Anglican church believes that divorce is best avoided, but that in some circumstances there may be no chance of reconciliation.

Question 22

How would christians who accept divorce support this belief?

Answer 22

Christians who accept divorce might support their view with the belief that sometimes it is the lesser of two evils (for example, it seems unkind to force a couple to stay married if they are deeply unhappy in the marriage; it is the compassionate thing to do in situations such as adultery or domestic abuse).

Question 23

What do the Methodist and United Reform Church believe about divorce?

Answer 23

The Methodist and United Reform Church accept civil divorce and allow remarriage in church as long as the couple takes the vows seriously. They think that the church should reflect the forgiveness of God and allow people who have made mistakes the opportunity to find happiness in a second marriage. Like the Anglican church they believe that divorce is best avoided but that in some circumstances there may be no chance of reconciliation.