2.6 Divorce And Remarriage

Question 1

Hostile Religious attitudes to divorce

Answer 1

Jesus: divorce is not wrong but impossible because marriage is the metaphysical union which can very rarely be broken

Catholic Church: marriage is a sacrament and because God is omniscient, omnipotent and eternal everything he does is eternal as well

Question 2

Quotes for the hostile religious attitudes

Answer 2

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

Catholic Church: “Divorce is immoral because it is breaking apart a family”

Question 3

Tolerant religious attitudes to divorce

Answer 3

The reply to Jesus: He says that divorce is allowed if your partner has committed adultery and also, adultery is looking at someone else lustfully so that means all married couples have committed adultery and can therefore get a divorce.

Church of England: discourages divorce but ultimately accepts it and allows you to re-marry through it

Question 4

Hostile Non-religious attitudes to divorce

Answer 4

Utilitarianism: If it doesn’t maximise happiness then it shouldn’t be allowed, which it majority of then time isn’t

Roger Scruton: Should be legal but not acceptable because it is a vow and not a contract so cannot be changed

Question 5

Evidence for hostile non reigious attitudes to divorce

Answer 5

Utilitarianism: Children whose parents split up between the ages of 7-14 have a 16% increase in emotional problems

Roger Scruton: “Vows do not have terms so cannot be changed like a contract”

Question 6

Tolerant non-religious attitudes to divorce

Answer 6

Reply to utilitarianism: if divorce does result in overall happiness or at least net happiness then it is permissible

Question 7

Religious attitudes to Remarriage

Answer 7

Jesus and Catholics: remarriage is not allowed because of the metaphysical bond between the two people HOWEVER if your partner dies then it is permissible because the union dissolves with death