Changes

<blockquote>''"1 Corinthians 7:15 states But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.</blockquote>

<blockquote>''"1 Corinthians 7:15 states But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.</blockquote>

==Doctrinal positions==  

==Doctrinal positions==

Historically most conservative [[Protestant]] Christians have allowed divorce only in the case of adultery,<ref>Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible; John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible on Mt. 5:32; 19:9</ref> and some also for desertion,<ref>Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown</ref><ref>Ibid. Boardman</ref>  The original text of the Westminster Confession, as approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1647, emphatically stated: "Nothing but adultery or such willful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrate is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage." The offended party in such circumstances is free to remarry, as if the offending party were dead. In 1927, Dr. Clarence Edward Macartney recommended that the Presbyterian General Assembly declare that, "...adultery alone clearly recognized in the New Testament as cause for divorce. Therefore the Church cannot sanction divorce on any other ground nor the remarriage of divorced persons other than the innocent parties in divorces granted for adultery; and it shall be unlawful for a minister to marry any divorced person except one so divorced."<ref>Religion: Ground for Divorce; Time magazine, Monday, May. 23, 192</ref>  

Historically most conservative [[Protestant]] Christians have allowed divorce only in the case of adultery,<ref>Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible; John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible on Mt. 5:32; 19:9</ref> and some also for desertion,<ref>Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown</ref><ref>Ibid. Boardman</ref>  The original text of the Westminster Confession, as approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1647, emphatically stated: "Nothing but adultery or such willful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrate is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage." The offended party in such circumstances is free to remarry, as if the offending party were dead. In 1927, Dr. Clarence Edward Macartney recommended that the Presbyterian General Assembly declare that, "...adultery alone clearly recognized in the New Testament as cause for divorce. Therefore the Church cannot sanction divorce on any other ground nor the remarriage of divorced persons other than the innocent parties in divorces granted for adultery; and it shall be unlawful for a minister to marry any divorced person except one so divorced."<ref>Religion: Ground for Divorce; Time magazine, Monday, May. 23, 192</ref>  

===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,  

As regard remarriage, it holds that,  

As regard remarriage, it holds that,  

:This shows that a married person who divorces a sexually immoral spouse does not cause that spouse to commit adultery, since the offender is already guilty of adultery. Paul also included an exception on behalf of the innocent spouse. In cases where unbelieving spouses were unwilling to live with partners who had become believers, Paul advised, “If the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound [not “enslaved,” douloō] in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace" (1Corinthians 7:15). “Not bound” is a strong expression that appears to mean the believer is set free. Therefore, the meaning seems to be that the believer is free to remarry. <ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4189_divorce_remarriage.pdf AG Position Papers: Divorce and Remarriage Application of Biblical Principles]</ref>

:This shows that a married person who divorces a sexually immoral spouse does not cause that spouse to commit adultery, since the offender is already guilty of adultery. Paul also included an exception on behalf of the innocent spouse. In cases where unbelieving spouses were unwilling to live with partners who had become believers, Paul advised, “If the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound [not “enslaved,” douloō] in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace" (1Corinthians 7:15). “Not bound” is a strong expression that appears to mean the believer is set free. Therefore, the meaning seems to be that the believer is free to remarry.<ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4189_divorce_remarriage.pdf AG Position Papers: Divorce and Remarriage Application of Biblical Principles]</ref>

===Christian and Missionary Alliance===

===Christian and Missionary Alliance===

===Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)===

===Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)===

In 1992 the Presbyterian church stated in ''Minutes of the General Assembly" (p. 62) that divorce was allowed under Biblical grounds.

In 1992 the Presbyterian church stated in ''Minutes of the General Assembly" (p.&nbsp;62) that divorce was allowed under Biblical grounds.

===Reformed Church in America===

===Reformed Church in America===

Reformed Church in America stated[http://www.accsd.org/Reformed.html] that  

Reformed Church in America stated [http://www.accsd.org/Reformed.html] that  

:God's intention for marriage is permanency.  Divorce involves sin.  There are only two permissible grounds for divorce: adultery, based on the exceptive clause in Matthew 19:9, and desertion of the believing spouse by the unbeliever, based upon the so-called "Pauline Privilege" in I Corinthians 7:15.<ref> Understanding Protestant Churches of North America (2003) by Shelly Steig,</ref>  

:God's intention for marriage is permanency.  Divorce involves sin.  There are only two permissible grounds for divorce: adultery, based on the exceptive clause in Matthew 19:9, and desertion of the believing spouse by the unbeliever, based upon the so-called "Pauline Privilege" in I Corinthians 7:15.<ref>Understanding Protestant Churches of North America (2003) by Shelly Steig,</ref>  

===Roman Catholicism===

===Roman Catholicism===

In ancient time Roman [[Catholics]] could possibly obtain divorces for either of the two traditional reasons,<ref>Dissolution and annulment of marriage by the Catholic Church, by Eileen F. Stuart, p. 82</ref> Later Canon law does 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 a previous unmarried state. In addition, various other conditions are recognized as possible grounds for annulment. Technically, an annulment is not a divorce but a declaration that a valid marriage never took place. Current available statistics show 53,885 annulments were granted to Catholics in the United States<ref>Vatican's 2004 Statistical Yearbook of the Church</ref> and 638,705 from 1984 to 705{{Vague word}}, the large majority being for "defective consent", meaning deceit by one of the parties.<ref>What God has joined together, pp. 25,26, by Robert H. Vasoli</ref>  Other common grounds for annulment include "lack of due discretion" in choosing a spouse,  "psychic incapacity" to fulfill marital obligations, "defect of form", referring to a marriage that was not performed in the Catholic Church, and "prior bond", meaning one of the partners was married to someone else at the time of the wedding.<ref>John T. Catoir, J.C.D., "Understanding Annulments," St. Anthony Messenger, 1998; http://www.twopaths.com/faq_marriage.htm</ref>.

In ancient time Roman [[Catholics]] could possibly obtain divorces for either of the two traditional reasons,<ref>Dissolution and annulment of marriage by the Catholic Church, by Eileen F. Stuart, p. 82</ref> Later Canon law does 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 a previous unmarried state. In addition, various other conditions are recognized as possible grounds for annulment. Technically, an annulment is not a divorce but a declaration that a valid marriage never took place. Current available statistics show 53,885 annulments were granted to Catholics in the United States<ref>Vatican's 2004 Statistical Yearbook of the Church</ref> and 638,705 from 1984 to 705{{Vague word}}, the large majority being for "defective consent", meaning deceit by one of the parties.<ref>What God has joined together, pp. 25,26, by Robert H. Vasoli</ref>  Other common grounds for annulment include "lack of due discretion" in choosing a spouse,  "psychic incapacity" to fulfill marital obligations, "defect of form", referring to a marriage that was not performed in the Catholic Church, and "prior bond", meaning one of the partners was married to someone else at the time of the wedding.<ref>John T. Catoir, J.C.D., "Understanding Annulments," St. Anthony Messenger, 1998; http://www.twopaths.com/faq_marriage.htm</ref>  

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. Some charge Catholicism with engaging in deception by using annulments to circumvent its prohibition on divorce,<ref>Catholic Divorce: The Deception of Annulments, Pierre Hegy, Joseph Martos (Editors)</ref> while it is pointed out that the Bible considered people married even when joined under conditions which might quality as grounds for annulments.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/papalpresumption.html Papal Presumption]</ref>   

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. Some charge Catholicism with engaging in deception by using annulments to circumvent its prohibition on divorce,<ref>Catholic Divorce: The Deception of Annulments, Pierre Hegy, Joseph Martos (Editors)</ref> while it is pointed out that the Bible considered people married even when joined under conditions which might quality as grounds for annulments.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/papalpresumption.html Papal Presumption]</ref>   

===Southern Baptist===

===Southern Baptist===

Due to the autonomous nature of the Southern Baptist churches, the largest Protestant denomination, there is no universal policy within the Convention that addresses divorce, though consistent with their general conservatism, they are expected to be strict, as historically it was.<ref>Divorce, annulments, and the Catholic Church, by Richard J. Jenks, Craig A Everett p. 29</ref><ref> http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=441</ref> One study showed that among Southern Baptists, the top five issues of concern were divorce (53 percent), negative influences from the media (38 percent), materialism (36 percent), absentee fathers (29 percent) and latch-key kids (23 percent).<ref>[http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703,A=158643&M=50011,00.html Divorce, Media & Materialism Top List of Threats to Family]</ref>

Due to the autonomous nature of the Southern Baptist churches, the largest Protestant denomination, there is no universal policy within the Convention that addresses divorce, though consistent with their general conservatism, they are expected to be strict, as historically it was.<ref>Divorce, annulments, and the Catholic Church, by Richard J. Jenks, Craig A Everett p. 29</ref><ref>http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=441</ref> One study showed that among Southern Baptists, the top five issues of concern were divorce (53 percent), negative influences from the media (38 percent), materialism (36 percent), absentee fathers (29 percent) and latch-key kids (23 percent).<ref>[http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703,A=158643&M=50011,00.html Divorce, Media & Materialism Top List of Threats to Family]</ref>

===United Methodist===

===United Methodist===

===United Church of Christ===

===United Church of Christ===

The United Church of Christ holds[http://www.accsd.org/UCC.html] that  

The United Church of Christ holds [http://www.accsd.org/UCC.html] that  

:Divorced and remarried persons are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church."<ref>Ibid. Steig</ref>  

:Divorced and remarried persons are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church."<ref>Ibid. Steig</ref>  

== 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>

   

   

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.  

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.  

====Region====

====Region====

In the US, divorce rates vary substantially among the states. According to a Wall Street Journal article <ref>http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/st_DIVORCE_20100813.html</ref>, the states with the lowest rate of divorce in 2009 were [[Massachusetts]] (1.8 divorces per 1,000 people), the [[District of Columbia]] (2.1), [[Pennsylvania]] (2.3), [[Iowa]] (2.5), and [[New York]] (2.5).  Those states with the highest divorce rates were [[Idaho]] (5.0), [[West Virginia]] (5.0), [[Wyoming]] (5.2), [[Arkansas]] (5.6), and [[Nevada]] (6.6).

In the US, divorce rates vary substantially among the states. According to a Wall Street Journal article,<ref>http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/st_DIVORCE_20100813.html</ref> the states with the lowest rate of divorce in 2009 were [[Massachusetts]] (1.8 divorces per 1,000 people), the [[District of Columbia]] (2.1), [[Pennsylvania]] (2.3), [[Iowa]] (2.5), and [[New York]] (2.5).  Those states with the highest divorce rates were [[Idaho]] (5.0), [[West Virginia]] (5.0), [[Wyoming]] (5.2), [[Arkansas]] (5.6), and [[Nevada]] (6.6).

== Lowering the divorce rate ==

== Lowering the divorce rate ==

== Covenant Marriage ==

== Covenant Marriage ==

In order to help solve the social problems created by inordinately high divorce rates, some states have begun passing laws enabling [[covenant marriage|covenant marriages]].  A covenant marriage in some cases is harder to obtain than a default lawful marriage license and also is more difficult to break (the common exceptions being violence, abandonment or adultery). <ref>http://marriage.about.com/cs/covenantmarriage/a/covenant.htm</ref>

In order to help solve the social problems created by inordinately high divorce rates, some states have begun passing laws enabling [[covenant marriage]]s.  A covenant marriage in some cases is harder to obtain than a default lawful marriage license and also is more difficult to break (the common exceptions being violence, abandonment or adultery).<ref>http://marriage.about.com/cs/covenantmarriage/a/covenant.htm</ref>

= References =

= References =