Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Christian Attitudes to Divorce
- General Christian View
- Divorce is wrong because it
separates the bond that was created
when the 2 people got married.
- "What God has brought together, no
human being can separate." (Mark 10)
- Roman Catholic View
- Absolutely wrong -
marriage is a sacrament +
covenant that must be kept.
- "A man will unite with
his wife + the two will
become one." (Mark 10)
- This is explained in marriage
vow: "till death do us part..."
- Do allow annulment -
marriage is declared as null
and void - it never existed.
- However, it is NOT the RC answer to
divorce. Only happens on certain
grounds e.g. partners didn't understand
implications of marriage at the time.
- Have view that if a person
divorces + remarries, they
commit adultery.
- “Anyone who divorces his wife and
marries another woman commits
adultery against her." Mark 10.
- Protestant View
- Also believe marriage is lifelong
- However, it is the lesser of two evils as
worse evil would be dealing with abuse in
relationship + so divorce allows it to end.
- Allow re-marriage e.g. Prince Charles.
- Divorce Act
- 1971 Act allowed divorce if there
was 'irretrievable breakdown of
marriage' - no chance of getting
together again because of difficulties.
- Allowed for divorce after 5 yrs'
separation if only one partner wanted it,
but after 2 yrs separation if both agreed.
- In 1983, there were 162
000 divorces, double the
number in 1971 since Act.