Is divorce sin

[johan777]

I just read an article from the Barna Group about a poll they did on divorce.
Is divorce sin? When is divorcing your spouse not sin?

The Barna group research team found the following:



Is Divorce A Sin?

Although Bible scholars and teachers point out that Jesus taught that divorce was a sin unless adultery was involved, few Americans buy that notion. Only one out of every seven adults (15%) strongly agreed with the statement “when a couple gets divorced without one of them having committed adultery, they are committing a sin.” A similar percentage (16%) moderately agreed with the statement. The vast majority – 66% – disagreed with the statement, most of them strongly dismissing the notion.

Faith perspectives made a difference in people’s views on this matter – but not as much as might have expected. Born again adults were twice as likely as non-born agains (24% vs. 10%) to strongly affirm this statement. However, a majority of the born again group (52%) disagreed that divorce without adultery is sin. Three-quarters of all non-born again adults (74%) disagreed with the statement.

A majority of both Protestants (58%) and Catholics (69%) disagreed that divorce without adultery involved in the commission of sin. There was no difference in point-of-view on this matter across the generational groups. The largest difference among subgroups of the population was between blacks and whites. Just half of the black segment (49%) disagreed with the survey statement compared to seven out of ten white adults (70%). Hispanics were in-between those extremes (64% disagreed.)

 

[ElizabethanLady]

I think it is a sin. Alot of people (like me), enter into marriage without realizing the gravity of the vows we take and the repercussions. Yes I think anytime a marriage breaks up it is a sin, unless there is adultery involved. Even then, you have the option to forgive......an option I probably wouldn't take unless there were children involved. As for abuse, one can separate from the abuser.

 

[bkg]

Yes. It's a sin.

 

[Jenna]

The Lord hates divorce. I don't feel any differently. It's amazing that so many Christians have such varying views on something so strongly spoken against.

 

[SirKenin]

If you get divorced and remain celibate you are not sinning. God hates divorce, but Jesus does not define it as a sin until you hop into bed with someone else, unless your partner defiled the marriage bed to begin with. That, or if the unbeliever leaves you should let them go.

 

[sarajenna]

what about if your partner is abusing drugs and alcohol and in the process emotionally and mentaly abusing everyone else in the house?

 

[joelbarrutia]

Malachi 2:14 You ask, Why? It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
16 I hate divorce, says the LORD God of Israel, and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment, says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

 

[joelbarrutia]

what about if your partner is abusing drugs and alcohol and in the process emotionally and mentaly abusing everyone else in the house?

I am praying for you!!!!!

 

[oldrooster]

Until you have walked a mile in someones moccasins, you really have no right to comment.....

 

[johan777]

Until you have walked a mile in someones moccasins, you really have no right to comment

Does it matter what my personal walk/experience is?

Do I interpret the Bible to suit my specific needs or circumstances?

 

[bkg]

The Lord hates divorce. I don't feel any differently. It's amazing that so many Christians have such varying views on something so strongly spoken against.

Winner ^^^^^^

 

[Leanna]

Yes, divorce is sin. I think it is still sin if you divorce someone who once cheated on you. How dare people take the exception clause and claim it is righteousness.

 

[mghalpern]

Is it a sin for the one who desires (files for) the divorce, the one who doesn't want the divorce (was filed on), or both? I'm not talking about infidelity, abuse, etc...Michael

 

[Jenna]

I'm not sure that anyone is ever really without their own sin when a marriage ends. However, it's expected that none of us are perfect and are ever going to make the best decisions all of the time. My personal opinion is that in many cases, the "greater" burden of sin would fall on the one seeking divorce. However, it is also my personal opinion that that isn't neccessarily true in cases where there has been infidelity. Divorce is always a sin, no matter the reasons for it. However, I don't see anything that leads me to believe that God isn't understanding when one person is terribly wronged by another. He has some pretty strong words to speak concerning adulterous people.

 

[bkg]

Is it a sin for the one who desires (files for) the divorce, the one who doesn't want the divorce (was filed on), or both? I'm not talking about infidelity, abuse, etc...Michael

Interesting question, Michael. I don't know the answer to it...


EDIT: Jenna said it MUCH better than I could!!!!!

 

[mghalpern]

I am certainly not saying that I am sin free, however, divorce in just compounding things. Christ forgives us, yet we are also called to forgive one another and to reconcile (especially when there hasn't been infidelity or abuse). What usually happens though, is the person seeking the divorce has given up on their spouse and the marriage for selfish reasons, which shows a lack of mercy and forgiveness. Even if my wife came to me and told me that she slept with another man during our separation and was repentant, asked for forgiveness, and wanted to restore our marriage, I would accept her back with open arms, precisely because none of us are without sin. Who am I to suggest that she would have been "more wrong" for her sin than myself. My main point in questioning "the divorcer vs. the divorcee" is regarding remarriage. I don't want to get remarried; I want to reconcile my marriage with my wife, but if she pulls the trigger, I have no choice in this "no fault" divorce state. The Lord knows my heart and knows my desires. So I'm not sure what the future will hold for us, but I am curious about a future with someone else...Michael

 

[johan777]

I am certainly not saying that I am sin free, however, divorce in just compounding things. Christ forgives us, yet we are also called to forgive one another and to reconcile (especially when there hasn't been infidelity or abuse). What usually happens though, is the person seeking the divorce has given up on their spouse and the marriage for selfish reasons, which shows a lack of mercy and forgiveness. Even if my wife came to me and told me that she slept with another man during our separation and was repentant, asked for forgiveness, and wanted to restore our marriage, I would accept her back with open arms, precisely because none of us are without sin. Who am I to suggest that she would have been "more wrong" for her sin than myself. My main point in questioning "the divorcer vs. the divorcee" is regarding remarriage. I don't want to get remarried; I want to reconcile my marriage with my wife, but if she pulls the trigger, I have no choice in this "no fault" divorce state. The Lord knows my heart and knows my desires. So I'm not sure what the future will hold for us, but I am curious about a future with someone else...Michael

Isn't that what our attitude should be, forgiving?
Mat 6:15 But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses."

 

[mghalpern]

Absolutely! No doubt about it...Michael

 

[oldrooster]

Does it matter what my personal walk/experience is?

Do I interpret the Bible to suit my specific needs or circumstances?

The bible gives times that it is permissable, then it is not a sin. When you have a spouse cheat on you then we will talk. If you are not married at all, your opinion has little merit....

 

[heathen chemistry]

if not sinning is the highest priority in life, then it must make for a very boring time - what with all the worrying about maintaining that holier than thou attitude that's indicitive of those who view all actions in terms of sinning and not sinning. divorce is a fact of life. when people get divorced, religious pretentions is usually the last thing on their minds.