A Christian would think about marriage with great care and would marry for love and never marry for selfish reasons like for money.
The vows for a Christian couple are both the same, this shows an equal responsibility and commitment to the marriage. They both promise to love, comfort, honour and protect each other, and also vow to be faithful. These vows are taken and are meant to be kept until the death of one of the partners, “till death us do part”. This is one of the reasons why most Christians do not agree with divorce. The vows state that you should stick by each other through anything and everything, no matter what happens in the future,
“For better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health”
The exchange of rings at the marriage service has a great symbolism. The ring/rings are usually a circle or band to symbolise love never ending-eternal love. The ring is a reminder for the future of a couples marriage and commitment to each other. The ring is worn on the left hand because this is the side of the body the heart is. In the past the ring was just given to the bride but today because of modern sexual equality the couple may both exchange rings. Some of the vows given are quite romantic and the exchange vow shows again that the couple become ‘one’ with marriage.
“All that I am I give to you,
All that I have I share with you”
A special bond is made with marriage and Christians believe this bond is provided by god, so is not a bond to be broken.
“That which god has joined together let not man divide”
At this point in the marriage, the priest may wrap his stole around the couple’s hands to symbolise that they have joined as one.
The Roman Catholic Church is totally against divorce. Marriage is regarded as a sacrament and very serious. Catholics do not recognise ‘civil divorce’. If a catholic does get a divorce, then they will not be allowed back into the church. A catholic can separate from a partner, but cannot divorce or marry again. With certain circumstances a catholic can get an annulment. This does not apply to the law but it does apply to the church. Annulment doesn’t end a marriage but states that the marriage did not ever happen, so the two participants could have another first marriage. Some grounds for annulment include; if the marriage was never consummated (if the couple can prove they have never had sex), if the couple can prove they married with firm intention never to get married, if you married someone who was insane without knowing or if the priest was not properly ordained. Annulments are extremely hard to get because of course these circumstances are very hard to prove. They are also expensive and take along time to get.
In the past the church of England had the same point of view as the catholic church on divorce, but in the 16th century Henry viii, broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and became head of the Church of England to get a divorce. In result of this the Church of England has to allow divorce but do not encourage it. Members are allowed to divorce and still remain a communicant member but they are not allowed to re-marry in a church. Members are allowed to re-marry in a registry office and get a blessing on the second marriage. This isn’t really strict to the vows of marriage as the vows state that marriage should not be broken until death of one of the partners.
Non-conformist churches such as Methodist, Baptist, evangelical, and Pentecostal have more tolerant attitudes to divorce. They accept divorce and divorcees can still take communion and may get re-married at the minister’s discretion.
All four gospels agree Jesus talked about issues of divorce. According to the Old Testament, Jews were allowed to divorce. However in most texts Jesus seems to say divorce shouldn’t be allowed and that marriage is for life-“one flesh”. Other texts say that Jesus said divorce wasn’t allowed except for in cases of adultery. It is possible that the editor of these texts could have added this ‘exception divorce’ case himself to fit in with everyday life.
“phararises came and tested him by asking, ‘is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’
‘What did Moses command you?’ he replied.
They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.’
‘it was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law’ Jesus replied.
…….. A man will leave his mother and father and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
… Therefore what god has joined together, let man not separate.”
In conclusion, most Christians would prefer not to divorce because marriage is so sacred and the bond given from god should not be broken, but some Christians will resort to divorce if there is nothing else left to try and save the marriage.
By Lianna Bullingham.
