Is it true that there is no true divorce in Christianity? ( The stories I have heard vary from sect to sect )?

Question

As far as I understand it, the main positions are:

1. Neither divorce nor remarriage are allowed -- described below. (A conservative Protestant view)
2. Divorce is OK, but not remarriage. (A second conservative Protestant view)
3. Divorce is OK in cases of adultery or desertion; remarriage is OK. (A conservative/mainline Protestant view)
4. Divorce is OK for many reasons; remarriage is OK. (A mainline/liberal Protestant view)
5. Divorce is impossible, unless the marriage never existed. (Roman Catholic)
6. Divorce is OK in cases of marriage breakdown; remarriage is OK. (Religious liberal and secular view.)

Genesis 2:24: Marriage is permanent: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." The word translated as "cleave" is a translation of the Hebrew word "dabaq" which means to make a permanent alliance with another person. It is used elsewhere in the Bible in this context: Joshua 23:12, Ruth 1:14, and 2 Samuel 20:2. In its noun form, the word refers to soldering two pieces of metal together: i.e. making a permanent joint. Some theologians have suggested that this term refers to permanent actions -- those that cannot be undone. Thus, the passage implies that divorce is forbidden.
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-Genesis 2:24: Marriage is permanent
-Deuteronomy 22:13-19 Divorce prohibited if the a husband accuses the wife of not being a virgin
- Deuteronomy 22:28-29 Divorce not allowed for seducers of virgins
-Deuteronomy 24:1-2 Permission to divorce, but only for ancient times
-Deuteronomy 24:3-4 Divorced & remarried woman cannot remarry her first husband
- Ezra 9:1-2: Religious intolerance -- requiring couples in mixed-marriages to separate
- Malachi 2:10: Religious intolerance -- requiring couples in mixed-marriages to separate
-Malachi 2:14: Divorce is treacherous behavior
- Malachi 2:16: God hates divorce

Answer 1

As a somewhat conservative Christian, I base my beliefs on the words of Christ, which we read in the four gospels and the Revelation.

Jesus made mention of divorce in his sermons, and preached against it. However he also taught us to be careful about judging other people's sins and he reached out to the woman at the well who had practiced multiple marriages and was at that time living in sin.

I think divorce is a sin, but one that might be justified when a spouse is unfaithful, as my first wife was. Like most sins it can be forgiven. I have remarried. My current wife was also a victim of adultery. We believe far more good than harm has come from our remarriage. We also believe God and Jesus would agree with that conclusion.

I would generally agree with position number 3, but I don't think Jesus put it in such hard and fast terms.

Answer 2

It sounds like you know everything about this subject already, so I don´t know what further answer you are hoping for by asking here, but the bottom line is that everyone must live in accordance with his/her own conscience and should keep his/her promises to other people. The most important relationship is between the individual and God. That is why, even if someone decides to join a particular kind of church, they may not agree with all of its teachings and may try to persuade other members to accept a different interpretation of the Bible and other documents on which their belief systems (and the code of behaviour which arises therefrom) are based.

Answer 3

I was in a fairly strict religion for 22 years and I divorced my husband for committing adultery, people tried to force us to stay together but what point would there be if he was in love with the other person and would have carried on the relationship. In those circumstances the marriage bonds are broken, and you can get a divorce and then re-marry again in church.

Answer 4

Spiritually, Let's say, You join a religion, will you consider yourself in a marriage spiritually? And if it is , then your spiritual marriage is of the heavenly. As of the worldly it depends on the sect. And if you are of the sect then you are subjected to the law of the sect. You have to abide by the law of the sect. But, if you disapprove of the sect law then you have to leave , that is whether you are allow to leave . No sect can claim their law to be correct and force it on the people . This is the problem that innocent people are facing. When religion law is force on to people in the political arena by majority or democracy or idea logy that is where hardship is force upon. Gay' s being prosecuted,Abortion is condemn, Women are victimized and so much more is termed as bad, and people who wish to divorce is subjected to thier so called believe. God is Good and he saw the suffering of the oppressed and bless the secular country. Those, who come in the name of religion are the caused of much human suffering. Mind you I am a Christian to say this. Please ponder. I am not a gay but I understand what Elton John [I am not really his fan] said on the religion topic. Great thinker he is.

Answer 5

I think the difference in the divorce rate is because marginal relationships get forced into marriage.

As to your question, you seem to have it all covered. You may wish to compare the attitude of the law of Scotland, England and Ireland on divorce prior to 1857. In Scotland it was legal where there was adultery. It was completely banned in the other places. This was because of Presbyterianism in Scotland.

Answer 6

Divorce is not acceptable in christendom, except in case of adultery

Answer 7

Jesus said you should not set aside your spouse except for adultery.

Marriage is supposed to be man and woman coming together to become one. Once unified it is expected to continue until death.

Because things are a bit vague people have liberalized things.

Answer 8

I believe the Bible says that it is OK to get "divorced" if your partner is "unfaithful" (adultery?) or an "unbeliever".

Answer 9

interestingly....the bible belt has a higher divorce rate than many lib areas