SECTION 2 CHRISTIANITY- TOPIC 1.2.6 DIVORCE AND RE-MARRIAGE Flashcards
Christian teachings on divorce
What does St Paul say about divorce and remarriage?
+SOWAA
Christians should not divorce, but if they do they must not remarry.
“A wife must not separate from her husband”
“if she does,she must remain unmarried”
1 The Catholic attitude about divorce and remarriage?
-Catholic marriage is a sacrament
exchange of vows means that only way a marriage between baptised Catholics can be dissolved is by the death of one of the partners or if the marriage is annulled.
-Catholic Church does allow for the legal separation if they find it impossible to live together +even civil divorce
(an ending of the marriage according to the laws of the country, but not the Church) if that will ensure the proper care of the children and the safety and security of the married partner. Neither of these routes, however, has
ended the marriage: the couple are still married in the eyes of God and the Church and so cannot remarry.
-Catholics who remarry may be refused
communion. However, the Catholic Church does allow annulment if it can
be proved that the marriage was never consummated or that it was not a
true Christian marriage.
Why do Catholics have those specific attitudes about divorce and remarriage?
Catholics have this attitude because:
-In Mark’s Gospel Jesus taught that divorce is wrong and Christians should follow the teachings of Jesus.
-The couple have made a covenant with God in the sacrament of marriage and that covenant cannot be broken by any earthly power.
-The Church teaches very clearly in the Catechism that a marriage cannot be dissolved and so religious divorce is impossible. Catholics should follow the teachings of the Church and so should not divorce.
The attitude of non-Catholic Christians about divorce and remarriage?
-Jesus allowed divorce in Matthew 19:9 for a partner’s adultery.
-Christians must choose ‘the lesser of two evils’. If a marriage has really broken down
then the effects of the couple not divorcing would be a greater evil than the ‘evil’ of divorce itself.
-Christians are allowed forgiveness and a new chance if they confess their sins and are truly repentant. This belief in forgiveness should
apply to divorce and remarriage as much as anything else.
Atheist and Humanist attitudes to divorce and remarriage…?
4
-All married couples should have the right to divorce if they feel the marriage has failed
-Divorce should make sure that the spouses are treated equally in the financial arrangements.
-Divorce should make sure that any children are well provided for.
-Any divorced person should be treated as a single person and so have the right to remarry if they so wish.
What advantages of divorce would Atheist and Humanist look at?
4
-brings domestic peace and emotional security as it removes the conflict between the spouses
-gives opportunities for the spouses to gain personal fulfilment
-chance for fresh starts
-ends children’s exposure to damaging parental conflict
What disadvantages of divorce would Atheist and Humanist look at?
4
-it is expensive-family’s standard of living is often lowered
-hurt children as they are forced to choose between parents and may have to select which one to live with
-it hurts family relatives as they can often lose contact with the children if their relation is not awarded custody
-causes stress as it forces new relationships and new living situations.
sowaa against divorce
“what God has joined together, let no one separate”
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife,
…and marries another woman commits adultery.”
“the two will become one flesh”
