Divorce (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
Divorce in Christianity
What is divorce?
Divorce refers to the legal ending of a marriage contract. Within Christianity, there are varying perspectives on this issue, and attitudes towards divorce have evolved considerably over recent decades. Different Christian denominations hold distinct views about whether divorce is acceptable and under what circumstances it might be permitted.
The complexity of divorce in Christianity stems from the need to balance biblical teachings with modern social realities and pastoral care for individuals facing marital difficulties.
Biblical foundations about marriage and divorce
Marriage as a lifelong commitment
Christians traditionally view marriage as a permanent union intended to last for life. This belief is symbolised through the wedding ring - an unbroken circle representing the eternal nature of the marriage bond. When Christians consider divorce, they believe couples should first exhaust all possible attempts at reconciliation before considering separation.
Key biblical teachings
The Bible contains several important passages that shape Christian understanding of divorce:
Mark 10:9: "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Matthew 19:8-9: "Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.'"
These verses suggest that whilst divorce was permitted in certain circumstances during biblical times, it was not part of God's original design for marriage. The biblical principle emphasises that "The Bible teaches that marriage is for life."
Catholic Christian perspectives on divorce
Catholic Christians maintain a particularly strict stance regarding divorce, viewing it through the lens of their theological understanding of marriage as a sacrament.
Core Catholic beliefs
Catholics believe that marriage is not merely a legal contract but a sacred sacrament - a holy covenant blessed by God. This understanding leads to several key positions:
Key Catholic Positions on Divorce:
- Divorce is not recognised by the Catholic Church because they believe marriage creates an unbreakable spiritual bond
- Even if a couple obtains a legal divorce through civil courts, Catholics believe the marriage bond remains intact spiritually
- Remarriage after divorce is not permitted, as this would constitute adultery whilst the original marriage remains valid in God's eyes
- Divorced Catholics cannot receive a marriage ceremony in a Catholic church if they wish to remarry
Exceptions and alternatives
However, Catholic teaching does allow for some flexibility in extreme circumstances:
Catholic Alternatives to Divorce:
- Legal separation may be acceptable when necessary, particularly when children's welfare is at stake
- The Church can sometimes grant annulments, which declare that a valid marriage never existed in the first place due to specific circumstances
Protestant Christian views on divorce
Protestant denominations generally take a more flexible approach to divorce whilst still discouraging it as the preferred option.
Protestant principles
Protestant Christians typically believe that:
- Divorce should not be encouraged and should be avoided whenever possible
- However, divorce may sometimes become necessary due to human failings and changed circumstances
- Since UK law permits divorce, it can be morally acceptable under certain conditions
- People are capable of making mistakes, and God's forgiveness extends to those who divorce
- Individual ministers often have discretion in deciding whether to conduct remarriage ceremonies in their churches
This approach recognises that whilst marriage should ideally be permanent, the reality of human relationships sometimes makes divorce the most practical solution.
Alternative perspectives
Humanist viewpoints
Humanists approach divorce from a practical rather than religious standpoint. They believe that:
- Marriage breakdown can create significant problems within families
- Divorce may sometimes be the most beneficial solution for all involved parties
- Since humanists don't associate marriage with religious promises, they don't view divorce as breaking sacred vows
- The focus should be on what arrangement works best for the individuals and any children involved
Atheist considerations
Atheists may adopt an approach similar to situation ethics, where they evaluate each case based on its specific circumstances rather than following rigid religious rules. They might consider factors such as:
- Whether the marriage is causing ongoing conflict or unhappiness
- The impact on any children involved
- Whether divorce would lead to better outcomes than remaining married
The emphasis is typically on making practical decisions that promote wellbeing rather than adhering to religious teachings.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Biblical teaching: Scripture suggests marriage should be permanent, with divorce only permitted in exceptional circumstances like sexual immorality
- Catholic position: Marriage is a sacrament that cannot be dissolved; divorce is not recognised and remarriage is not permitted
- Protestant approach: More flexible stance allowing divorce when necessary, though it's still discouraged; remarriage may be possible
- Key difference: Catholics view marriage as an unbreakable spiritual bond, whilst Protestants allow for human fallibility and changing circumstances
- Alternative views: Humanists and atheists focus on practical considerations rather than religious teachings when evaluating divorce situations