First, no. I am not getting divorced. I still believe in the death-do-us-part business. But what would happens if your spouse divorces you. Then are you able to remarry without committing adultery, whereas they WOULD be committing adultry if they remarry. Or do you have to stay single for the rest of your life? Would a spouse filing for divorce be an act of abandonment, which I believe does allow the wronged party to remarry?
Each religion differs to some degree. Catholic being considered the most strict, and the one I know about, I'll tell you this. You are married until annuled. You or your spouse cannot remarry in the eyes of the Church. Unfortunately, IMHO, the Church is much more liberal at granting annulments than it used to be. Divorce standing alone does not give you automatic freedom to remarry in the church. Staying single is an option, but not a requirement
Mat 19:9 says that anyone who divorces his wife except for fornication/adultery/immorality (depending upon translation) and remarries, commits adultery. And whomever marries her is committing adultery as well.
Women couldn’t divorce their husbands back then, so the reference only covers a man divorcing his wife, but I think it’s safe to assume it goes both ways. The principle is obvious: God recognizes divorce in cases of fornication/adultery/immorality. It says that a man who divorces his wife and then remarries is committing adultery EXCEPT in the case of fornication/adultery/immorality. Since there is an exception mentioned, one can only assume that he is NOT committing adultery if that exception is met.
So if your ND wife divorces you, she must have sex with someone else before you are free to remarry without committing adultery.
I’m no religious expert, so I really don’t meet your requirements for answering this – but that’s my not-so-expert opinion.
Women couldn’t divorce their husbands back then, so the reference only covers a man divorcing his wife, but I think it’s safe to assume it goes both ways.
What makes you think that just because society changed the rules of divorce (allowing a W to divorce there H) That God did? God's words back then are God's words still. As society changes it rewrites the bible not God. He has never sent a memo out to my knowledge recanting anything said that was the word of the Lord. But I lack alot of knowledge so I might have missed that memo.
Hi Cemar, I was not so sure this, so I specifically asked a pastor about it. He said, first God hate divorce. But it is permitted (not required) if your spouse commits adultery. And, if you believe in God, and your spouse is not a believer... and s/he divorces you-- then you can let them go. You should not divorce a non believer but if they divorce you, let them go.
If you are divorced under one of these circumstances, then you can either stay single or marry again.
This was from a pastor who is very Bible-based, no interpretations, just goes by what is in the Bible.
Quote: What is the Bible's stance on extreme physical abuse in a relationship? Is that grounds for a divorce?
Physical abuse is a crime. Said criminals should have the opportunity to get acquainted with the justice system.
Let me note here that I know that women can also be abusers. I don't believe in having double-standards judicially. The difference between male and female abuse is primarily the difference in foot-pounds of force. The intent is the same.
I cringe when I read and/or hear of pastors (or Christians in general) encouraging abused spouses to submit to their abusive husbands. In the more fundamentalist sects, the submission of women is expected and often demanded. The difficulty with that is while the "wives should submit to their husbands" is touted the reciprocal "husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the Church" is much less often pushed.
The Bible doesn't address every possible human interaction. At some point one sometimes must weigh the options and with humility rather than hubris, make choices that might not line up fully with strict interpretations.
I think most of us recognize that lying and stealing are discouraged Biblically. But the Europeans who hid Jews, stole food rations, and lied through their teeth - most people today would find that not just acceptable, but admirable. I read a book by Corrie ten Boom in regards to this. Their family hid Jewish people in their home, they lied constantly, defrauded the rationing dept., stole food whenever they could, broke laws left and right. After WWII was over, some Christians confronted her about the lying and stealing. I loved her response - she didn't defend it or justify it or attack them over their legalistic righteousness, she would just express hope that God would deal with her with mercy.
You summed up a lot of my feelings perfectly. I have always wondered about those verses in the Bible that only allow divorce for reasons of infidelity, when clearly extreme physical abuse would be an even clearer reason for separation. I personally think that people can heal from an affair, but extreme physical abuse has got to be stopped using extreme measures. The thought that a woman (or man) would then be stuck the rest of their life without being able to remarry, or if they did and ML they would be condemmed is just hard for me to swallow. Maybe someone can point me to verses in the Bible that can be interpreted to show that abuse is Biblical grounds for divorce.
Then my next question is where is the cut-off. At what level does abuse qualify for divorce. Some people could argue that emotional abuse can be worse than physical abuse. So at what level is it enough emotional abuse for divorce, Biblically (if it is the case that abuse is a valid reason).
I've never been able to find a clear answer to this in talking to fellow Christians.
Great story about opposition to Nazism and questions of morality it engendered.
"Recollect me darlin, raise me to your lips, two undernourished egos, four rotating hips"
We feel it's the inspired word of God. Interpretations are many and often the intrepertations are cultural that creeps in. (Rock and Roll is evil I heard)
Divorce is similar. Some good posts (God hates divorce and permits it under certain situations)
If one honestly seeks the truth it will find them. Kudos to the original poster.
To the quoter above please research and attempt to proove the Bible as imperfect as my spelling then go to the prayer circle and let me know what you think. Chances are we may disagree but no worries. Free will is good. Enjoy.
"All I want is a weeks pay for a day's work" Steve Martin
