It does however prescribe some pretty rigid boundaries regarding life for those divorced - the "wait a year for every 5 years you were married before you get involved with anyone" / the "born-again virgin" - no sex until you remarry / the "you are never truly free from the marriage unless the ex-spouse marries someone else"
You know - I'm not one to knock anybody's religious beliefs, I grew up Catholic and understand people who adhere to such rigid standards. But - I think such inflexible "rules" are not necessarily helpful to many (most?) of us.
I think a lot depends on A) where you are in the process of letting go and B) what your plans for the future are.
For instance - I actually started dating only a few months after my ex moved out. BUT - my ex moved out after YEARS that consisted of his affair, my DBing, our successful reconciliation, several happy years, then another miserable year trying to change his mind about leaving. So once he filed, I was DONE - I realized there was nothing he could possibly do in the future that would ever make me trust him enough to take him back. And I had had years to process everything, so I was truly ready to date. Should I have waited five more years (according to their formula)? That seems like overkill. I think people should wait until they are stable and have let go of their ex. Everybody has their own timetable.
As for the "born again virgin" stuff? I think you have to consider your future plans. If you're a young person, planning to marry again and maybe have more children, then that might make sense - at least, being extremely cautious so as not to end up in complicated unintended pregnancy territory would be wise.
But I'm post-menopausal and don't intend to get legally married again - it seems an unnecessary legal and financial complication at this point in my life. (And nobody my age expects me to be virginal anyway lol). I have been choosy about my partners since the divorce, and don't regret any of them.
Another poster tonight talked about a friend's husband dying unexpectedly at 43 from an aneurysm. I think we all have to be careful not to get so wrapped up in our marital dramas, that we forget to get out there and LIVE!
