If marriage is a religious institution, then shouldn't divorce lawyers have divinity degrees?

Question

I'm just sayin'.

Answer 1

Actually, they should go around with pitchforks and little "devil horns" - as they are helping "corrupt" the "solemn vow" that the couple "agreed to" with their "god"...

And don't forget the red pajamas with a red tail ;););)

Answer 2

Marriage is both a religious and a civil institution. The divorce lawyers are there to help break up the civil part of the union, while the church, if it chooses to do so, can annul the religious side.

Answer 3

That is a very good point. Many divorce lawyers only take what classes are required to get the degree they need. Not many of them take the extra step to get a higher degree. If they were required to have a divinity degree then it would be something else to make them want to reach higher and get a better degree, which in turn would make them a better lawyer.

Answer 4

First you must define what do you mean by "marriage" and "religious". Marriage can means legal contract between 2 adult to form a new entity (family) and sharing the rights and obligations. In this sense, everyone under the law can marry if he/she is deemed eligible by the law; including atheists, gays, etc. It can also means holy covenant between a man, a woman, and God, to be united in one body ("till death do us part" thing). And it has thousands other definitions in beween. Different religions have different views too. i am Christian, so i can say even Christians have differences about this. Some churches allow gay marriage, others condemm it. For me, atheists have the right to marry, but their marriage is not for "religious use" because they don't believe in religions and any use of them. It is more for "Legal use", like getting spouse/children allowance, tax exemption, child protection, etc. In some countries, children from unwed parents can't even get their identities (legally) that they can't go to formal schools, hospitals, get driving licenses, have a passport, or open a bank account. Spouse from unwed couple cant get his/her inheritance should the other spouse pass away, even if the name is stated in the will, normally it will take more time & harder to process. There are many other legal benefits. Marriage is said to be a religious institution based on the religional believes. For Christians like me, it means marriage according to the Bible. Maybe you are familiar with the "jargon" already, ie: ...till death do us part: means no divorce between a man and a woman: means heretosexual monogamy etc GBU

Answer 5

Marriage is NOT a "religious institution." It is a contract between two parties just like any other contract. I do agree though that a religious authority should be involved in helping the couple come to a resolution.
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Answer 6

Indeed. You're on the right track. There is no such thing as a "divorce" in Catholic Sacramental practice. If an "annulment" is sought - it must be proved that no Sacrament ever took place due to lack of proper sacramental intention... or one of the other impediments that would make a Sacrament invalid.

And - in fact - Canon Lawyers do need a degree in Canon (Church) Law.

Good call.

Answer 7

Well.... within some religions for the divorce (annulment) to be legal according to church canon, it does require one with a divinity degree.... regardless weather a civil divorce is obtained.
Are you happy now?

Answer 8

Maybe... but what's the point really? Christians don't pay all that much attention to the "Til death us do part" bit anymore... so they might as well have a secular lawyer, right? I like the way you think! :)

And before the Christians start to thumbs down me en masse, yes the Christian divorce rate is higher than for any other group, so don't bother. http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm

Answer 9

God never intended marriage to be broken. Divorce is accepted only for the weakness of people. We all need Jesus for our salvation, that is the bottom line. We cannot make "wrong" to be right by God by making it legal.

Answer 10

No because marriage is just a legal contract between to consenting adults.