2.6 - divorce and remarriage

• catholic attitude to divorce

  • dont allow divorce or remarriage
  • only way a marriage is ended is if a partner dies
  • civil divorce allowed if it is best for children (still married in eyes of god so cannot remarry)

  this is because:

  • marriage is a sacrament ( made covenant with god)
  • jesus taught that divorce is wrong
  • no remarriage (seen as adultry)
• non-catholic christians and divorce

  • divorce is wrong, but is allowed if marriage has broken down - free to remarry
  • asked to repent/promise that next marriage is lifelong

  this is because:

  • 'choose lesser of 2 evils' - may be better to divorce than not
  • if repent, sins can be forgiven
• athiest/humanists and divorce

  • marriage = human institution (dont believe in god)
  • allow divorce and remarriage
  • some athiests cohabit instead (dont believe in marriage so no divorce needed)
  • humanists say that everyone has right to divorce, spouses should be financially equal