Changes

== Biblical View ==

== Biblical View ==

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)

Many Christians believe that God's views on divorce are most clearly articulated in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9:  

Many Christians believe that God's views on divorce are most clearly articulated in [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 5:32 and 19:9:  

<blockquote>''"32: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery"'' (Matthew 5: 32) and, ''"9: And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery"'' (Matthew 19: 9)</blockquote>

<blockquote>''"32: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery"'' (Matthew 5: 32) and, ''"9: And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery"'' (Matthew 19: 9)</blockquote>

It should be noted that the corresponding passages in Mark and Luke lack the reference to fornication:

It should be noted that the corresponding passages in Mark and Luke lack the reference to fornication:

<blockquote>''Mark 10:11-12 (KJV): And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.''

<blockquote>''[[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 10:11-12 ([[KJV]]): And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.''

''Luke 16:18 (KJV): Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery.''</blockquote>

''[[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 16:18 (KJV): Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery.''</blockquote>

Does two beat one or is Matthew, as an eyewitness, inserting information that the others had lost?  There is no one answer.   

Does two beat one or is Matthew, as an eyewitness, inserting information that the others had lost?  There is no one answer.   

The further consequences of adultery are played out more radically in  

The further consequences of adultery are played out more radically in  

Deuteronomy 23:2, when it is stated:

[[Deuteronomy]] 23:2, when it is stated:

<blockquote>''"2: A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD."'' (Deuteronomy 23:2)</blockquote>

<blockquote>''"2: A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD."'' (Deuteronomy 23:2)</blockquote>

== Secular view ==

== Secular view ==

Divorce is the dissolution of a contract and laws vary from state to state. Under the common unilateral divorce laws (also known as no-fault divorce), either party can demand and get a divorce at any time and for any reason.<ref>Divorce courts do consider all sorts of allegations of fault when children are involved.</ref>

Divorce is the dissolution of a contract and laws vary from state to state.  

===No-fault divorce===

===No-fault divorce===

No-fault divorce is when a husband or wife unilaterally demands a divorce.

Under the common unilateral divorce laws (also known as no-fault divorce), either party can demand and get a divorce at any time and for any reason with marital assets being split evenly.  Divorce courts do consider allegations of fault when children are involved in regards to awarding of custody, but not in regards to whether or not a divorce can take place or in the awarding of marital assets.  

== Divorce Rate ==

== Divorce Rate ==

The United States has a divorce rate of 3.6 per 1,000 as of 2005<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr54/nvsr54_20.pdf</ref>.  This results in a 41% failure rate for first marriages.<ref>http://www.divorcerate.org/</ref>

The United States has a divorce rate of 3.6 per 1,000 as of 2005<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr54/nvsr54_20.pdf</ref>.  This results in a 41% failure rate for first marriages.<ref>http://www.divorcerate.org/</ref>

   

   

It's something that's way too common in America's society these days. It causes an awful lot of pain for the children of the parents. Often the children rarely ever get to see/visit one of the parents. The parents usually say "Don't worry, we're still friends" though loads of talking goes on behind each other's backs. Leads to the parents dating other people because they "don't want to be alone", which may lead to a second marriage and a step-mom or step-dad who only seems to be there to give the children hell 24/7. Can cause depression.  

In times past, the divorce rate was statistically much lower. Divorce affects more than the spouses; it also causes pain for any children from the marriage where the non-custodial parent is often seen less often or in some cases not at all.  It is common for children to blame themselves for the divorce. Relationship difficulties for the children are especially common into later life if either of the parents is poisoning the relationship with the children for the other by making negative comments to the kids.  

====Religion====

====Religion====

Another Barna study in 2004 looking only at people who had married and their rate of divorce (sample size of 3,614) found that there was no difference in divorce rate between born again Christians and other Christians and that Christians on a whole had a slightly lower percentage of divorce when compared to atheists and [[agnostics]].  The difference is within the margin of error.<ref>http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=170</ref>

Another Barna study in 2004 looking only at people who had married and their rate of divorce (sample size of 3,614) found that there was no difference in divorce rate between born again Christians and other Christians and that Christians on a whole had a slightly lower percentage of divorce when compared to atheists and [[agnostics]].  The difference is within the margin of error.<ref>http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=170</ref>

====age====

====Age====

The Barna study from 2004 also found that there was a large difference in divorce rates between [[baby boomers]] and the generations before, with the boomers having a much higher rate of marital failure.  It is estimated that the boomers may pass a 50% rate of divorce.  The generation after the boomers, the [[baby busters]], appears to be heading to a similar rate of marital failure as the boomers based on early data.<ref>http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=170</ref>

The Barna study from 2004 also found that there was a large difference in divorce rates between [[baby boomers]] and the generations before, with the boomers having a much higher rate of marital failure.  It is estimated that the boomers may pass a 50% rate of divorce.  The generation after the boomers, the [[baby busters]], appears to be heading to a similar rate of marital failure as the boomers based on early data.<ref>http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=170</ref>

== Lowering the divorce rate ==

== Lowering the divorce rate ==

Alarmed at high rates of divorce within the Christian community, the Family Research Council tried to reverse that trend.  They found that 85 percent of Christian couples either had no premarital counseling or only met once with their pastor.  Considering this to be unacceptable, they put together programs that require a minimum of 4 months premarital preparation including the taking of a premarital inventory and meeting with mentor couples.  This caused divorce rates to drop by 30 to 50% for those couples who adhered to the program.<ref>''Southern California Christian Times'', Feb 2000, Pg 14</ref>

Alarmed at high rates of divorce within the Christian community, the Family Research Council tried to reverse that trend.  They found that 85 percent of Christian couples either had no premarital counseling or only met once with their pastor.  Considering this to be unacceptable, they put together programs that require a minimum of 4 months premarital preparation including the taking of a premarital inventory and meeting with mentor couples.  This caused divorce rates to drop by 30% to 50% for those couples who adhered to the program.<ref>''Southern California Christian Times'', Feb 2000, Pg 14</ref>

== Covenant Marriage ==

== Covenant Marriage ==