Marriage & Divorce Flashcards
What is marriage?
A civil contract relating to the social, religious & spiritual union of two people
Why do religious people marry?
Faith
Sex
Partnership
Children
What is the purpose of marriage for christians?
Unite with someone they love for rest of their lives
To be faithful & make sacrament with God’s blessing & in God’s presence
To have children who can also be part of Christian faith
Marriage is covenant before God
How does the marriage service reflect Biblical Teaching?
We are gathered here in the presence of God - God is present & therefore ceremony sacred
Marriage is holy estate, instituted by God - God created institution of marriage & therefore seen as holy
As signifying the mythical union between Christ and his Church - marriage is human way of symbolising Jesus’ love for church
What
What does the Christian church say about marriage?
“Marriage is a life-long partnership of man and wife with absolute faithfulness the one to the other”
Presbyterian church
“The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by Him with its own proper laws… God himself is the author of marriage” - Catholic Church
“Christians marriage has a two-fold purpose - fellowship & parenthood. Permanence in the union is an essential condition” - Methodist Church
Why do people get divorced?
Financial difficulties Health problems Alcohol/drug abuse Business of life in today’s society Infertility Children Adultery Mental/physical abuse False hopes Lack of communication
What are the challenges of inter-faith marriages?
Family & friends
Future children
Society
What does the bible say about divorce?
“What God has joined together let no one separate” - Matt 19:6 - marriage is sacred union which no man should separate
“I hate divorce says the Lord God of Israel.. do not break your promise to be faithful to your wife” - Malachi 2:16 - God ‘hates’ divorce & many believe this means he doesn’t allow it to happen, though others believe he just ‘hates’ marriage that has broken down keeping your faithfulness is important
“A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does she must remain unmarried”- many believe that because of sacredness of marriage & fact that you have taken vow until death - that you shouldn’t remarry
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery”
What is the church’s attitudes towards divorce?
Presbyterian, Methodist & Church of Ireland all accept divorce
They allow remarriage of divorced people in church but only if minister willing to perform ceremony - they can refuse on grounds of conscience
Roman Catholic Church - doesn’t recognise divorce - marriage can only end when one partner dies or grounds for annulment
Couple may be granted divorce & be divorced in eyes of state, but, marriage continues in eye of God
Anglican Church - doesn’t advocate divorce, but it’s allowed if marriage has truly broken down & cant be repaired. Can remarry in Anglican Church
Many Christians experiencing marital difficulties try to work through them as they’ve promised God they would stay together for life
Arguments FOR re-marrying?
Society changed since Biblical times & divorces women then would’ve been destitute
Should church not show compassion & allow second chance
One of central teachings is forgiveness so law of mercy should be applied
Some ministers marry divorcees & others won’t - this is inconsistent
If people want to get married in Church & take vows before God, has anyone right to say no?
Arguments AGAINST re-marrying?
‘What God has joined together let no man separate’ - many argue divorce directly contradicts teaching
Divorce rate already high - if Church now says vows can be broken it undermines whole concept of marriage
Church shouldn’t feel under pressure to become more liberal just to suit society - should hold it’s traditional values rather than reflect current trends
Difficulties in every marriage & christians should uphold vow ‘for better or worse’. They shouldn’t consider leaving marriage if didn’t live up to expectations
Re-marriage puts priests in ethical dilemma as ask people to take vows they’ve broken before
Statistics for success of second marriages are discouraging
