Explain why christians have differing views about wether divorse is right or wrong
Explain why Christians might have different views about whether divorce can be right!
The divorce rate in England has increased astronomically in our, what seems, increasingly secular society. This is due to a number of factors, whereby the rudimentary belief that divorce is universally wrong cannot coincide with the complexities of our society’s predicaments. The attitude among Christians, however, differs from person to person depending on their interpretation on Jesus’ teachings. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that divorce is always wrong, yet on the contrary, the Church of England and other denominations happen to recognise that divorce happens, although they do no encourage it.
A society grows through a network of relationships which are mutually inter-twined and inter-dependent. Every relationship is a whole hearted commitment to support and to protect others in a group or community. ‘Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love god with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself.’ Marriage plays a very important part in this strong web of relationships of giving support and protection. A good marriage should grow and develop gradually from understanding and not impulse, from true loyalty and not just sheer indulgence. This is precisely why many Christians’ views on divorce stipulate that divorce is not permitted at all because marriage is for life, ‘Man must not separate what god has joined together. A man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery.’ Here, the bible coherently suggests that divorce is wrong as marriage is for life, ‘From this day forward’ and ‘Till death do us part.’ The institution of marriage provides a fine basis for the development of culture, and for children to thrive and flourish. In accordance, divorce has a huge impact on those concerned in the relationship of the couple getting divorced, in particular the children. Paul said: ‘If anyone does not provide for his relatives and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.’ In marriage, each partner develops a complementary role, giving strength and moral courage to their children. If this then fails and arises in a dispute, it can have a deplorable affect on children. Furthermore, it is not only the immediate family who will be negatively affected by divorce, but also friends who must essentially make a choice between which partners they must stay loyal to. This obliterates the fundamental foundations of Agape love whereby love is unconditional, ‘love your neighbour as yourself.’ This may also leave one partner with low self esteem because they believe they have failed God, John said, ‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.’ More to the point, as well as having emotional scars, divorce can produce a catastrophic financial difficulty with income and property halved and the cost of lawyers spiralling, this is bound to have a detrimental effect on the children and partners, Paul said: A man should fulfil his duty as a husband, and a woman should fulfil her duty as a wife.’ ‘Husband’ and ‘wife’ are common depictions in the Bible used to create stable foundations and a stable environment for a family. ‘Do for others what you would have them do for you.’ In addition, it is repeated on numerous occasions that divorce is wrong, ‘I hate divorce,’ says the lord. Furthermore, God said, ‘It is not good for man to live alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.’ Christians thrive to follow the teaching that god himself has written therefore, showing a blatant disregard of this can be seen as blasphemy, ‘ A man will leave his farther and be united with to his wife, the two will become one flesh. Therefore, what god has joined let no man separate.’ Once again, the Bible emphasises the fact that marriage is a commitment, and if made properly, it will be successful. Consequently, if divorce comes to light then it suggests that the vows undertake on their wedding day had no significance, ‘It is better not to marry if possible, but if you burn with passion, then marry.’ Finally, Christians are meant to show Agape love as well as Eros love in a relationship, such as marriage. This love is unconditional, ‘Paul talked about the qualities of love, that love was the greatest gift from god.’ Now if this love is broken, than unconditional love does not subsist! The ring, in Christianity, is a symbol of everlasting love which remains unbroken until death. It is a witness/symbol to other people of the partner’s commitment to the other partner.
