I couldn't agree more. What you say, furthermore, goes for ALL rules / laws.
By very definition, rules are simply the generic default. A sort of general guideline. But when it comes down to it, then things are judged on a case by case basis. And while the rules might be used as a starting point, they really don't determine the outcome by default.
This is why in court both the defendent as well as the accuser get to have their say. This is why eventhough rules can be clear, judging cases according isn't. "murder is wrong" is such a rule. Nevertheless, we still have lengthy court cases when a killing is involved and judge and jury will try and get to the bottom of it, considering circumstances, intent, motif, etc.
The "general" rules aren't supposed to be imposed black and white on exceptional circumstances, and here we certainly have exceptional circumstances.
Anyone who wishes to use rules / laws in a black and white fashion, is in my view simply a dogmatic fundamentalist (no matter if it concerns religious rules or rules from the constitution). With little to no compassion.
The world is NOT white and black and things should be judged on a case by case basis.
Clearly, a wife with very advanced alzheimers, to the point that she doesn't even remember who her husband is, is a very different case then a wife with a depression or a paralysed leg or something.
But in the eyes of the fundamentalist, none of it matters.
It's.... black and white.
Some christians go even further then
@RestoreTheJoy and even state that even after his wife has past, he can't enter a relationship with another. "once married before god, always married before god", they say. Such a "holy" relationship and the obligations it brings with it, goes beyond the boundaries of death, they say.
At least
@RestoreTheJoy seems to be off the opinion that he's free to engage another woman after his wife dies.
This thread here = a prime example of how dogmatic religious life can be so harmful. It blinds the mind, it blinds reason, it blinds humanity and compassion.
All that matters are the religious rules. It's a sacrifice of your humanity in favor of blind adherence to a personal interpretation of religious doctrine.