Christianity Chapter 2 : Marriage and The Family - 2.6 Divorce Flashcards
What is divorce?
Divorce is the legal termination of a marriage?
Why may it be more socially acceptable to have a divorce now?
- Divorce is easier and cheaper to obtain than it was even 40 years ago.
- People are less prepared to put up with bad treatment from their partners.
- Divorced people are not discriminated against in society.
Why may some people oppose divorce?
They may view it as the easy way out of marital difficulties instead of trying harder to solve problems especially in cases involving children
What may be the view of divorce for someone who is in favour of it?
They may see it as a compassionate law that frees people from a relationship that has broken down
What does the wedding ceremony in The Church of England Service Book say?
‘That which God has joined together, let no one divide’
It underlines the ideal of marriage as a lifelong union
Why is The Christian Church divided on the subject of divorce?
In the Bible, Jesus appears to give 2 different teachings:
- Mark’s Gospel: ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her’ (Mark 10: 11).
- Matthew’s Gospel: nyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. (Matthew 19: 6-9)
Here Jesus appears to allow for divorce in the case of unfaithfulness
Why does the Catholic Church believe divorce is not possible?
They believe this because the marriage. vows are a covenant (agreement), made by both partners to each other and to God. Therefore, they claim, a couple can never be divorced according to God’s law. A Catholic who does divorce cannot remarry in a Catholic church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2382 states ‘marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death’
Rather than divorce, what does the Catholic Church allow in what circumstances?
The Catholic Church will declare a marriage to be null (aka annulment) in particular circumstances such as forced or underage marriage
Define annulment
Annulment: declaration that a marriage is null and void; in effect, as if it had never happened, for reasons such as being under age or being forced to marry
On what grounds may divorce be permitted in mainstream Protestant Church?
What is The Church of England statement on marriage supporting this?
In the mainstream Protestant Church, divorce can be permitted on the grounds that:
- human beings make mistakes and relationships do break down
- God forgives mistakes
- After asking God’s forgiveness, therefore, believers may divorce and marry again.
Divorced people can remarry in a Protestant church if the local clergy agree to it; otherwise their marriage may be blessed. However, conservative Protestants still disapprove of divorce and remarriage.
Marriage should always be undertaken as a lifelong commitment but there are
circumstances in which a divorced person may be married in church.
(Church of England statement
on marriage)
What are some non-religious views on divorce?
Some atheists may object to divorce because of social or cultural reasons rather than religious ones
Others may argue that it is up to the couple do decide what is best for them - situation ethics may come into play here
According to the British Humanist Association, ‘humanists do not believe that it is ‘sacred’, recognise that some relationships fail, and so support liberal divorce laws. (Family Matters, British Humanist Association)
