Is the divorce rate much lower among Christian couples?

Question

As we know, the divorce rate in the U.S. stands at 50%. That is one out of every 2 couples ending up divorced. It is no wonder I see so many people who are divorced, remarried. I also have a lot of friends who have stepdad or stepmom.
When I marry later in life, I really do not want to end up divorced. I wanna marry a woman I love and stick to her till I die. But still, since the divorce rate is so high like that, I can't stop worrying whether I will be part of the statistics.
I am planning to marry a Christian woman who shares same moral values. How is the divorce rate among Christian couples compared to non-religious couples? Is it much lower?

Answer 1

Kerby Anderson Commentary
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Divorce Statistics
January 12, 2000
The latest divorce statistics from George Barna are sobering. One-quarter of all Americans have experienced at least one divorce. Born again Christians continue to have a higher likelihood of getting divorced than do non-Christians. Atheists are less likely to get divorced than are born again Christians. These are just some of the statistics from his latest marital snapshot of America.

George Barna concludes that "divorce may not be popular, but it remains common in America." After all, one out of every four American adults has experienced at least one divorce. What a dramatic turnaround in a social statistic in just a few decades. Divorce has gone from being rare to routine within a generation.

Lots of publicity has been given to the fact that Christians are more likely to divorce than non-Christians. I believe that part of the reason for that statistic is due to the fact that a higher percentage of Christians are more likely to get married, therefore there is a higher percentage that potentially could get divorced.

But the statistic is still troubling, even after giving that explanation. Christians should be setting the example. Instead, our marriages appear to be no different than those in the world. Not so long ago Christian tracts talked about the low divorce rate among Christians as evidence of how God and Christian faith can provide a firm foundation for marriage. Those tracts aren't in use anymore because Christian marriages are pretty much like the marriages of the world.

I think it is time for the church to get back to basics. Pastors must preach about marriage from the pulpit, and churches should encourage their members to attend marriage conferences that provide God's blueprint for marriage. Christian marriages should set the example for the world.

I'm Kerby Anderson of Probe Ministries, and that's my opinion.



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Kerby Anderson is the president of Probe Ministries International. He received his B.S. from Oregon State University, M.F.S. from Yale University, and M.A. from Georgetown University. He is the author of several books, including Genetic Engineering, Origin Science, Living Ethically in the 90s, Signs of Warning, Signs of Hope, and Moral Dilemmas.
He is a nationally syndicated columnist whose editorials have appeared in the Dallas Morning News, the Miami Herald, the San Jose Mercury, and the Houston Post.

He is the host of "Probe," and frequently serves as guest host on "Point of View" (USA Radio Network) and "Open Line" (Moody Broadcasting Network). He can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail].

Answer 2

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Answer 3

In the world today it is hard to evaluate the divorce rate because so many are not getting married,they live together and then go there separate ways.I can tell you this.My wife and I separated more times than I can actually remember,we were a couple of nuts.We became born again Christians six years ago and we couldn't be pulled a part for nothing.Now when we have a fuss the Holy Spirit is there to reprove us for speaking so rude to one another.

Answer 4

The information in the above answers is somewhat incomplete. The divorce rate depends on the religion. Atheists and Catholics have the lowest divorce rate (about 21% of the members of these groups have been divorced). Conservative protestants have about a 34% divorce rate.

The reason this falls below the 50% rate you quoted is that your rate counts marriages (which can be 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.), not individuals who have been divorced.

Answer 5

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=170

Although many Christian churches attempt to dissuade congregants from getting a divorce, the research confirmed a finding identified by Barna a decade ago (and further confirmed through tracking studies conducted each year since): born again Christians have the same likelihood of divorce as do non-Christians.

Among married born again Christians, 35% have experienced a divorce. That figure is identical to the outcome among married adults who are not born again: 35%.

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Research Methods:

“Born again Christians” were defined in these surveys as people who said they have made “a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today” and who also indicated they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as “born again.” Being classified as “born again” is not dependent upon church or denominational affiliation or involvement.

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Answer 6

I do know that Catholics can get their marriage anulled through the Catholic church regardless of having children or how long the marriage lasted. There's a substantial fee. So the divorce rate may also be lower because of this.

Answer 7

I don't have any real evidence that being a christian will make a marriage last. But l will say this, If God be with you, who shall be against you. When you are ready to get married pray, pray, pray. After you get married pray,pray,pray. No marriage is perfect so when you have trouble pray,pray,pray. And in all the good times pray,pray,pray. Life on earth demands prayer. A Godly marriage will last forever

Answer 8

The divorce rate amoung christians is the same as everybody else. I think it is because media has descipled Christians to think it is okay. So now we are no different than any body else.

Answer 9

It is much much lower! Good luck.