Marriage and the Family Christian attitudes to divorce

Main Facts There are two different attitudes to divorce in Christianity: Some Christians, especially Catholics, believe there can be no divorce because marriage is a sacrament in which the couple promise to stay together until death. Catholics do allow annulments if it can be shown that the marriage never really existed, but there can be no divorce. Catholics who have civil divorces are not allowed to remarry.

2. Most Protestant and Orthodox Christians disapprove of divorce, but believe that if a marriage goes wrong and there is no chance of bringing the couple back together, then divorce can be permitted. These Christians allow remarriage of divorces people after a talk with the minister/priest about how they will make sure the marriage works this time.

Reasons for the different attitudes Christians have different attitudes because they interpret the Bible differently and disagree about whether marriage is a sacrament. The Catholic Church does not allow divorce because: Jesus banned divorce When people marry, they make a covenant with God which cannot be broken without God’s consent, therefore a couple can never be divorced according to God’s law. Non-Catholic Christians allow divorce because: God is always prepared to forgive sins if people are determined to live a new life. In St Matthew’s Gospel Jesus allows divorce for adultery.

Key Facts Roman Catholics do not allow divorce because they believe the marriage vows cannot be broken. Other Christians disapprove of divorce, but allow it if the marriage has broken down because Christianity teaches forgiveness.