Divorce and remarriage (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes

Divorce and remarriage

What is divorce?

Divorce refers to the legal ending of a marriage through official court proceedings. In Christianity, this topic generates significant discussion because it touches on fundamental beliefs about the nature and permanence of marriage. Christian attitudes towards divorce have evolved over time, though different denominations continue to hold varying perspectives on when, if ever, divorce might be acceptable.

Legal grounds for divorce in Great Britain

When couples seek to legally end their marriage in Britain, the courts recognise several specific circumstances that can justify granting a divorce:

Adultery occurs when one spouse has sexual relations with someone outside the marriage. This has traditionally been viewed as a serious breach of the marriage covenant.

Desertion happens when one partner abandons the other without reasonable cause or consent, typically for an extended period.

Unreasonable behaviour covers a broad range of actions that make it impossible for spouses to continue living together. This might include emotional abuse, financial irresponsibility, or other conduct that undermines the marriage.

Separation with mutual agreement allows couples who have lived apart for two years to divorce if both parties consent to ending the marriage.

Separation without consent permits divorce after five years of living apart, even if one spouse objects to the divorce proceedings.

Biblical teachings on divorce

The Christian understanding of divorce is fundamentally shaped by biblical teachings, particularly the words attributed to Jesus in the New Testament.

Jesus's teaching on marriage permanence is captured in the Gospel of Mark: "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9). This statement emphasises the sacred and permanent nature of the marriage bond from a Christian perspective. Jesus presented marriage as a divine institution that should not be broken by human decision.

However, the biblical record also acknowledges practical realities. Moses's provision for divorce recognised that in cases involving adultery, divorce might become necessary. The text notes that Moses permitted divorce "when your hearts were hard" but clarifies that this was not part of God's original intention. Jesus explained that sexual immorality was an exception that could justify ending a marriage.

These teachings create the foundation for understanding why Christians hold marriage in such high regard while also recognising that broken relationships sometimes cannot be restored.

Catholic beliefs about divorce

The Catholic Church maintains perhaps the most restrictive position on divorce among Christian denominations. Catholic teaching holds that marriage is indissoluble, meaning it cannot be broken once validly entered into before God.

The Catholic position on divorce states clearly that the Church does not recognise divorce as ending a valid marriage. Catholics believe that when God joins two people in marriage, this creates a permanent bond that human authority cannot dissolve. As a result, Catholics who divorce are considered still married in the eyes of the Church.

Annulments offer an alternative path for Catholics whose marriages have irretrievably broken down. An annulment is a declaration by Church authority that a valid marriage never actually existed, perhaps due to factors like lack of proper consent, inability to fulfil marriage obligations, or other impediments present from the beginning. This process allows Catholics to remarry within the Church.

The Catholic approach reflects a belief that marriage represents God's unbreakable covenant with humanity, and that maintaining this standard serves both individuals and society, even when it creates personal difficulties.

Protestant beliefs about divorce

Protestant churches generally take a more flexible approach to divorce while still emphasising the importance of marriage permanence.

Protestant teaching acknowledges human fallibility and recognises that while divorce should not be encouraged, it may sometimes become necessary when marriages cannot be restored. Most Protestant denominations accept that people can make mistakes and that God's forgiveness extends to all areas of life, including failed marriages.

Divorce as sometimes acceptable reflects Protestant emphasis on grace and redemption. While marriage is viewed as a sacred commitment, Protestant churches typically acknowledge that UK law permits divorce and that Christians living under this legal framework may sometimes need to use these provisions.

Forgiveness and second chances feature prominently in Protestant thinking about divorce. Many Protestant ministers and congregations emphasise that people who have experienced divorce can find forgiveness and hope for the future, including the possibility of remarriage.

Christian perspectives on remarriage

The question of remarriage after divorce reveals significant differences between Christian denominations.

Catholic teaching prohibits remarriage after divorce because the Church maintains that the original marriage bond continues to exist. A divorced Catholic who remarries without receiving an annulment is considered to be living in adultery and cannot receive communion or participate fully in Church sacraments.

Protestant churches show greater flexibility regarding remarriage. Many Protestant denominations leave decisions about remarriage to individual ministers and couples, recognising that each situation involves unique circumstances that require careful consideration.

Individual pastoral care plays an important role in Protestant approaches to remarriage. Rather than applying universal rules, many Protestant ministers work with divorced individuals to discern whether remarriage would be appropriate in their specific situation, considering factors like repentance, personal growth, and the welfare of any children involved.

Non-religious perspectives

Humanist viewpoints on divorce approach the issue from a different angle entirely. Humanists generally accept that marriage relationships can legitimately end when they no longer serve the wellbeing of those involved. They tend to focus on practical considerations like the welfare of children and the personal happiness of the individuals concerned.

Secular approaches may adopt ethical frameworks that prioritise reducing suffering and promoting human flourishing. From this perspective, maintaining a marriage that has fundamentally broken down might cause more harm than ending it through divorce.

Atheist perspectives typically view marriage as a social contract rather than a sacred covenant, making divorce a practical matter of dissolving a legal and social arrangement that no longer functions effectively.

Ethical arguments surrounding divorce

The debate over divorce involves several important ethical considerations that extend beyond religious doctrine.

The sanctity of marriage vows presents one major ethical argument. Christians who oppose divorce argue that the promises made before God in marriage create sacred obligations that should not be broken, regardless of personal feelings or circumstances. Breaking these vows is seen as a serious moral failing that undermines both personal integrity and social stability.

Compassion and mercy provide counterarguments emphasising God's love and understanding for human weakness. Many Christians argue that Jesus's teachings on forgiveness and compassion suggest that people trapped in destructive marriages should not be condemned to lifelong suffering. They point to Jesus's emphasis on mercy over rigid rule-following.

The welfare of children creates another ethical dimension. Some argue that maintaining stable, two-parent homes serves children's best interests, while others contend that children suffer more from witnessing ongoing conflict between parents than from experiencing divorce.

Personal wellbeing and mental health considerations suggest that some marriages become so destructive that continuing them causes serious psychological harm to those involved. The ethical question becomes whether preserving the marriage institution justifies requiring individuals to remain in harmful situations.