Marriage is not just seen as a sacrament of lifelong companionship, it is also seen as the proper place for sex. For many Christians marriage is the only proper relationship within which to have children. This is because they believe marriage between two people provides a stable environment for children to be brought up in. Along with marriage, sex is also viewed as a gift from God, and should not be abused. “Avoid immorality, any other sin that a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 6:15-19) When Adam and Eve were created, they were to have sex, bear children, and bring them up in a secure and stable godly environment. Sex is seen as the most intimate thing that a couple can share, and should not be abused, otherwise you will be abusing your body, and within that, the body of Christ. Sex is to be kept within marriage as it is part of the commitment to one person, as stated in Genesis 2:24.
There are many views of divorce throughout the bible, although Christians are generally against it. A few denominations have exceptions under certain circumstances. The differing views on divorce are mainly down to the lack of clarity throughout the bible. “That is why a man leaves his father and his mother, and is united to his wife, and the two become one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together must o man separate.” (Matthew 19:5-7) This states that any couple that have been joined in front of God should not separate, as they would be separating God from themselves. In (Mark10: 2-4) however, it says “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? The question was out test to him…He responded by asking, what did Moses command you? They answered, Moses permitted a man to divorce his wife by a certificate of dismissal” These two references can be interpreted in very different ways, and because of this, the laws on divorce differ from denomination to denomination. “Are you bound to marriage? Do not seek dissolution. Has your marriage been dissolved? Do not seek a wife” (1 Corinthians 7:27) This reference is saying that if you are happily married then there is no need to divorce, but if you are not in a happy marriage, then do not seek another partner. If you are not ready to get married then do not, as it would result in wanting to escape by getting a divorce. “But I tell you, that anyone who divorces his wife forces her to be guilty of adultery. The only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if she has sexual relations with another man. And anyone who marries the divorced woman is guilty of adultery” (Matthew 5:32) References that can be found in the bible are often of differing content, yet they all have the same message to put forward. Within Christianity, divorce is generally only accepted on the grounds of adultery being committed. “If a man meets a virgin who is not engaged to be married and forces her to have sexual relations with him, and people find out about it…He must also marry the girl because he has dishonoured her, and he may never divorce her for as long as he lives.” (Deuteronomy 22:28-29) This passage explains that sex before or outside of marriage is a sin, and throughout the bible, this message is repeated in many references. Divorce has become gradually more acceptable throughout the bible, and in history, and now it is generally accepted on the grounds of divorce.
The lack of clarity throughout the bible has led to different beliefs and policies throughout the church. Divorce and remarriage laws differ throughout the church, although most denominations are now willing to accept divorce, on the grounds of abuse, or of adultery. Roman Catholic churches do not accept divorce as a means to end a marriage under any circumstances. They believe that it is a sin to commit adultery, because not only would you be breaking a promise to yourself and your partner, you would also be breaking the sacrament that you had made in front of God. Although Roman Catholics do not accept divorce, they will accept annulment as a means to end a marriage. If you get an annulment, then Roman Catholics say that the marriage did not take place, or that when the couple decided to get married they did not understand the implications involved, or did not believe in or mean the sacrament that they were making before God. Divorce rates in the UK have risen rapidly in the last 10 years and almost 1 in 2 marriages now end in divorce. Throughout the bible, anyone who had divorced and then remarried would have been committing adultery, and under no circumstances was this acceptable. Roman Catholics do not allow divorce and do not allow remarriage in church unless the person has been widowed. “So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body so they are not two but one. God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.” (Matthew 19:5-7) This passage is built on Genesis 2:24.
Protestant free churches allow divorce and remarriage in church, but at the minister’s discretion. If at any time the marriage may be salvaged by discussion, or with some type of counselling, then the minister has the right to refuse a divorce. Remarriage is allowed in the Protestant Free churches, because they believe that everyone deserves a second chance. The denominations that allow divorce do not believe that empty shell marriages contain any love, or commitment, and may as well not take place, and the couple would be better off if they divorced. Although there is a leniency within the Protestant Free Churches, divorce and remarriage are only regarded as acceptable a maximum of three times. The laws have recently been changed within the Church of England, and anyone can now be divorced and be remarried within the church. Remarriage has been allowed in the Church of England since 1981, but the Bishops have the right to refuse if they see any reason to say that the couple are not prepared, or do not understand the implications involved, or if they do not mean the sacrament that they will be making to each other.
Eastern Orthodox Churches do allow divorce, and remarriage, and unlike any other denominations, special services are held in the church to signify the end of a marriage. Remarriage is allowed and accepted throughout the Easter Orthodox Churches, although a person who is to be remarried for the third time may have their case reviewed. A third remarriage is often refused.
The lack of clarity throughout the bible has led to differing views and beliefs within different denominations, and due to this, the separate views are respected by all Christians.