(a)    Describe and explain Christian attitudes towards remarriage after divorce.             [8]

DESCRIBE

The Roman Catholic Church is completely against divorce.  Even if a couple get a civil divorce, they are still ‘one flesh’ in the eyes of the Church.  Therefore remarriage is never recognised by Catholics.  If the marriage was a mistake, the union can be annulled, which means that the marriage never really existed.  Under these circumstances it is possible to marry again, as the first marriage has been undone and, in the Church’s eyes, it didn’t count as a marriage.  Other than after an annulment, it is only possible to marry someone else after your first partner dies.

The Church of England disapproves of divorce.  It does recognise that some relationships break down, however, and would accept divorce in the case of adultery, violence or infertility.   Remarriage in the Church of England is becoming more common, but should follow principles set out by the working party of Bishops in January 2000.  The bishops only offered guidance, and it is the parish priest’s decision whether to marry an individual couple.

Following the Church of England’s decision in 1981 to allow people to marry again after divorce, many other churches have taken a more relaxed view.  Several other protestant and free churches will allow remarriage if the couple are sincere and serious about it.

EXPLAIN

Many Christians are against divorce and remarriage because:

• Jesus said ‘what God has joined together, let man not separate’  Mark 10:12

• The couple promised to stay together ‘for better or for worse… till death do us part’ – how can you promise this a second time after having failed to keep to it the first time?

• The married couple are ‘one flesh’ and cannot be separated

• According to Jesus, ‘anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.’ Matthew 5:31-32

However, this last quotation shows that, if the marriage vows have already been broken, it may be acceptable to remarry.  Christians might argue:

• the Bible talks of forgiveness (1 John 1 v 9), so if a marriage fails, this shouldn’t be held against a couple forever

• ‘It is not good for man to be alone’ – so a man and woman should be allowed to remarry for companionship

• Children need a stable upbringing, which might be provided by remarriage

• If someone is not at fault in a marriage, why should they be forced to live alone because of  a failed marriage?

• Divorce is a reality.  If remarriage is not permitted, people will just find new partners and cohabit without marrying, which must be worse than remarriage

• A couple marrying for the second time might understand the vows much better than they did first time around and are probably more committed and more realistic about marriage