CHANGING ATTITUDES TO DIVORCE IN THE UK The probable reasons for these changing attitudes are:  it is easier and cheaper to divorce  women are less prepared to put up with bad treatment from their husbands than they used to be  women do not depend on their husbands for money, so they can afford to divorce. It used to be difficult to divorce and divorced people were looked down on. Divorced people could not remarry in church. Today, divorce is accepted and no one looks down on divorced people. There are lots of divorces, and as many as two in five marriages will end in divorce. Fifty years ago there were few divorces, people were looked down on if they divorced and remarriage was rare. Today divorce is accepted, two in five marriages end in divorce and women having more equality.

CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TO DIVORCE There are two different attitudes to divorce in Christianity. 1.Some Christians, especially Roman 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 divorced people after a talk with the minister/priest about how they will make sure the marriage works this time. Annulled Re marrying

The Roman 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. CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TO DIVORCE 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. Christians have different attitudes because they interpret the Bible differently and disagree about whether marriage is a sacrament.

MUSLIM ATTITUDES TO DIVORCE 1. Some Muslims think marriage is for life and divorce should not happen. 2. Most Muslims allow divorce, but believe there has to be a period of three months (iddah) when a couple try to restore their marriage. If this fails, they are divorced and can remarry. A man who divorces his wife must be adult, sane and divorcing of his own free will. Islam allows divorce, but Muslims have different attitudes to divorce.

Some Muslims disagree with divorce because:  there is a hadith in which Muhammad (PBUH) said he hated divorce  divorce causes family problems when marriages are arranged. Most Muslims agree with divorce because:  marriage is a contract in Islam, so it can be ended.  the Qur’an allows divorce and sets out regulations about it MUSLIM ATTITUDES TO DIVORCE There are different attitudes to divorce in Islam Most Muslims allow divorce because marriage is a contract. Some Muslims do not allow divorce because of what Muhammad said. There are different attitudes because of different interpretations of hadith