Changes

'''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'', or religious divorce, to satisfy religious practice.

'''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, practising [[Jews]] must get both a legal divorce, to satisfy secular authorities, and a ''get'', or religious divorce, to satisfy religious practice.

== Biblical View ==

== Biblical View ==

As this is an Old Testament decree (unlike the previously-mentioned Matthew), it may no longer apply Post-Christ when the emphasis of salvation shifts from countries and family lines to individuals.

As this is an Old Testament decree (unlike the previously-mentioned Matthew), it may no longer apply Post-Christ when the emphasis of salvation shifts from countries and family lines to individuals.

Many religions adopt the more liberal view towards divorce that advocates its free practice.  Most [[Protestant]] denominations have no prohibition on divorce. [[Catholics]] do not admit divorce. [[Catholic Church|The Catholic Church]] has a process of [[annulment]] based on the non-fulfillment of any of the religious marriage requirements, such as individual freedom or previous unmarried state, among others. Technically, it is not a divorce but a declaration of non-valid marriage. In the 2004 Presidential election season many devout Catholics were scandalized by Senator [[John Kerry]], now married to his second wife, taking [[Communion|Holy Communion]] without having obtained an annulment.

Many religions adopt the more liberal view towards divorce that advocates its free practice.  Most [[Protestant]] denominations have no prohibition on divorce. [[Catholics]] do not admit divorce. [[Catholic Church|The Catholic Church]] has a process of [[annulment]] based on the non-fulfilment of any of the religious marriage requirements, such as individual freedom or previous unmarried state, among others. Technically, it is not a divorce but a declaration of non-valid marriage. In the 2004 Presidential election season many devout Catholics were scandalized by Senator [[John Kerry]], now married to his second wife, taking [[Communion|Holy Communion]] without having obtained an annulment.

== Divorce in Christian Denominations ==

== Divorce in Christian Denominations ==

The attitude to divorce varies between Christian churches. Although no major church fully prohibits divorce, some make obtaining one more difficult than others.

The attitude to divorce varies between Christian churches. Although no major church fully prohibits divorce, some make obtaining one more difficult than others.

The Roman Catholic Church prohibits divorce in princible, but in practice will make an exception in every case - often declaring a marriage anulled rather than divorced, a legal distinction.

The Roman Catholic Church prohibits divorce in principle, but in practice will make an exception in every case - often declaring a marriage anulled rather than divorced, a legal distinction.

Most [[Protestant]] churches permit divorce, but encourage marriage conciling services or pastoral discussion first to save a marriage, saving divorce as a last resort. Often, the local pastor has exclusive authority over the marital business of his church, with only minimal policymaking from above.

Most [[Protestant]] churches permit divorce, but encourage marriage counselling services or pastoral discussion first to save a marriage, saving divorce as a last resort. Often, the local pastor has exclusive authority over the marital business of his church, with only minimal policymaking from above.

== Secular view ==

== Secular view ==