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Line 150: − + − − The United Methodist Church position is that: − :When marriage partners are estranged beyond reconciliation, the church recognizes divorce as regrettable, but also recognizes the right of divorced persons to remarry.<ref>http://www.accsd.org/UnitedMethodist.html</ref>+ − + − − :Divorced and remarried persons are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church."<ref>http://www.accsd.org/UCC.html</ref>
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'''Divorce''' is the [[legal]] dissolution of a [[marriage]] [[contract]]. Marriage sometimes has a legal and a religious component. Divorce ends the legal contract. Some religions require the married partners to have a ''religious'' divorce if the individuals wish to continue their religious practice. For instance, practicing [[Jews]] must get both a legal divorce, to satisfy secular authorities, and a ''get'' (גט), or religious divorce, to satisfy religious practice. [[Liberals]] have consistently gotten divorced at higher rates than social [[conservatives]], which some say strains the sanctity of [[marriage]].
'''Divorce''' is the [[legal]] dissolution of a [[marriage]].
== Primary biblical Statements==
As marriage sometimes has both legal and religious components, a divorce only ends the legal component. Depending on the parties' religious views (if any), some religions require the married partners to have a ''religious'' divorce to maintain good standing within the religion. For instance, practicing [[Jews]] must get both a legal divorce, to satisfy secular authorities, and a ''get'' (גט), or religious divorce, to satisfy religious practice, while Catholics must obtain an annulment (not the same as a legal [[annulment]]) in order to remarry. Protestants usually don't offer or provide religious divorces, but may not allow divorced persons to hold certain offices unless the divorce is for certain reasons (generally, in cases of abandonment, abuse, or adultery by the other spouse), and may not allow their facility to be used for a marriage where one or both parties divorced for other reasons.
[[Liberals]] have consistently gotten divorced at higher rates than social [[conservatives]], which some say strains the sanctity of [[marriage]].
== Primary Biblical Statements==
Many believe that the Bible indicates that divorce is a [[sin]] in the eyes of God, and can lead to drastic consequences for those involved. Indeed, God says "''I hate divorce.''" (Malachi 2:16 [[NIV]] version)
Many believe that the Bible indicates that divorce is a [[sin]] in the eyes of God, and can lead to drastic consequences for those involved. Indeed, God says "''I hate divorce.''" (Malachi 2:16 [[NIV]] version)
==Denominational positions==
==Denominational positions==
Most Protestant churches permit divorce, but encourage marriage counseling services or pastoral discussion first to save a marriage, saving divorce as a last resort. Sometimes the local pastor has exclusive authority over the marital business of his church, with only minimal policymaking from above. Most [[conservative]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations restrict divorce to specified conditions (generally cases of abandonment, abuse, or adultery), and allow remarriage in the case of the innocent victim, sometimes also permitting it if a person was divorced before becoming a Christian. Liberal denominations tend to allow or advocate lesser restraints. Their position statements on such often lack substance.
Most Protestant churches permit divorce, but encourage marriage counseling services or pastoral discussion first to save a marriage, saving divorce as a last resort. Sometimes the local pastor has exclusive authority over the marital business of his church, with only minimal policymaking from above. Most [[conservative]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations restrict divorce to specified conditions (generally cases of abandonment, abuse, or adultery), and allow remarriage in the case of the innocent victim, sometimes also permitting it if a person was divorced before becoming a Christian. Liberal denominations tend to allow or advocate lesser restraints; their position statements on such often lack substance.
===Assemblies of God===
===[[Assemblies of God]]===
In the rather detailed statement by the General Council of the Assemblies of God it is stated,
In the rather detailed statement by the General Council of the Assemblies of God it is stated,
:Persons who remarry after being divorced on other than scriptural grounds are guilty of adultery (Matthew 5:32). A Christian clergyman should not perform such marriages.<ref>[http://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/perspectives/divorce Divorce and Remarriage]</ref>
:Persons who remarry after being divorced on other than scriptural grounds are guilty of adultery (Matthew 5:32). A Christian clergyman should not perform such marriages.<ref>[http://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/perspectives/divorce Divorce and Remarriage]</ref>
===Churches of Christ===
===[[Churches of Christ]]===
Some Churches of Christ hold to what is likely the hardest position on divorce and remarriage, believing adultery to be the only Biblical grounds. Some even advocate that if a person is divorced and remarried (outside of grounds of adultery) and then becomes a Christian, the person should divorce his/her current spouse and either remarry their former spouse or remain unmarried, or else they continue to commit adultery. This is an increasingly minority view.
Some Churches of Christ hold to what is likely the hardest position on divorce and remarriage, believing adultery to be the only Biblical grounds. Some even advocate that if a person is divorced and remarried (outside of grounds of adultery) and then becomes a Christian, the person should divorce his/her current spouse and either remarry their former spouse or remain unmarried, or else they continue to commit adultery. This is an increasingly minority view.
The most recent resolution on the topic, passed at the 2010 Annual Meeting, expressed concern about the alarming divorce rate within SBC congregations, going so far as to state that "[e]ven the most expansive view of the biblical exceptions allowing for divorce and remarriage would rule out many, if not most, of the divorces in our churches" and that the expansion of the rate "has not come through a shift in theological conviction about scriptural teaching on divorce but rather through cultural accommodation".<ref>https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-the-scandal-of-southern-baptist-divorce/</ref>
The most recent resolution on the topic, passed at the 2010 Annual Meeting, expressed concern about the alarming divorce rate within SBC congregations, going so far as to state that "[e]ven the most expansive view of the biblical exceptions allowing for divorce and remarriage would rule out many, if not most, of the divorces in our churches" and that the expansion of the rate "has not come through a shift in theological conviction about scriptural teaching on divorce but rather through cultural accommodation".<ref>https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-the-scandal-of-southern-baptist-divorce/</ref>
===United Methodist===
===[[United Methodist Church]]===
The United Methodist Church position is that "When marriage partners are estranged beyond reconciliation, the church recognizes divorce as regrettable, but also recognizes the right of divorced persons to remarry."<ref>http://www.accsd.org/UnitedMethodist.html</ref>
===[[United Church of Christ]]===
===[[United Church of Christ]]===
The United Church of Christ holds that:
The United Church of Christ (a very liberal denomination) holds that "Divorced and remarried persons are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church."<ref>http://www.accsd.org/UCC.html</ref>
===Wesleyan Church===
===Wesleyan Church===