divorce and separation

• All chistain denominations except for catholics accept divorce but prefere it to be on the grounds of adultery as a last resort for other reasons
• Catholic church's view:

  • does not accept divorce as marriage is a lifelong commitment
  • if it breaks down there are two options: annulment and separation
• Catholic separation:

  • if catholics do separate they are not allowed to cohabit with anyone
  • if they do get dovorced it is not recognised by the catholic church
• Annulment- when a court says the marriage was not legally valid:

  • catholics teach this si the only ay a marriage can be dissolved
  • acceptable reasons for annulment might be if the marriage was never consummated (no sex) or evidence shows it should have never taken place
• Muslims:

  • reconcilliation should take place first. An immam and the muslim community seeks to help the couple
  • if divorce is necessary a religious and civil divorce takes place
  • they apply to the shari'ah council who give them three months to reconcile and ensure the woman is not preganat (cannot sleep in the same bed)
• Humanists:

  • say couples should work through their differences especially when children are involved
  • when it is not possible and staying married would lead to unhappiness. divorce is permissible