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I have lately heard several stories that have just made me hurt. One of them was a story of a married couple getting a divorce. The story was one of a long time married couple with several children. The husband filed for divorce and ran off with his new lover. Not long ago, I heard another such story. Not that divorce is uncommon, but when I hear of dear friends getting separated or divorced, it just hurts. Sometime perhaps I will explore the theological and Biblical dimensions of divorce, but for now, I would just like to say that in my mind, the biggest reason that the Bible says that God hates divorce is that it hurts people. I have not heard of a divorce yet that doesn't leave people battered and torn. Whether we feel that there is Biblical precedence or not for divorce, that to me is not the issue at hand.
 So, I have discovered a solution. Check this website. Life is Short, Have an Affair. What more bold statement can you make? It is probably the solution to all of your problems in fact. Ummmm. Do I need to say more? As an interesting piece of information, one of the FAQs on this site is, "Does Ashley Madison encourage infidelity?"
Their answer, "No, Ashley Madison does not encourage anyone to stray. In fact, if you
are having difficulty with your relationship, you should seek
counseling. Perhaps they should have just simply stated. "Yes, we condone it, and in fact intend to profit from your infidelity." Can there really be anything much more sickening? Now, in case you have not read into the sarcasm and appall that I am feeling, please know that I do not condone this in any way. I am simply frustrated and nearly speachless to hear of such an agency, especially in light of the divorces that I see all around. So, now that I have lifted your spirits, I ask you to pray for those around you who are struggling in their marriages. Get involved in a caring way. See if there is anything you can do. You are not untimately responsible for whether it survives or not, but I know that more than once I have looked back later and thought, "I should have said something when..."
Phil |
Comments
Phil,
Thank you very much for speaking out against divorce. We need more people like you to take this kind of stand. You are correct when you write, "divorce hurts."
However, I disagree with the strength and coherency of your premise when you write:
"Sometime perhaps I will explore the theological and Biblical dimensions of divorce, but for now, I would just like to say that in my mind, the biggest reason that the Bible says that God hates divorce is that it hurts people."
If you are not exploring 'Biblical dimensions', what is the basis for saying that 'in your mind, the biggest reason that the Bible says that God hates divorce is that it hurts people?" One in favor of divorce, might want to know why she should believe your 'mind' rather than Ashley Madison's?'
First, does your statement, not imply subjectivism, "In MY MIND, this is why it is..."
Second, it seems that you are utilitarian. Do you believe that the biggest reason that actions are objectively right or wrong based upon hurt?
What if a couple had no children, and both claimed to have more pleasure after their divorce entering into a new relationship. Now, granted this would be a rare exception, but many do claim such. The question, I have for you, would be, 'What would be the Biggest reason for God to forbid that couple, with no children, who claim happiness not to enter into divorce?'
Thanks for taking the time to consider my questions.
Blessings,
Dave
Dave,
Thanks for your challenging words. I can see where you are coming from.
When I stated, "Sometime perhaps I will explore the theological and Biblical dimensions of divorce, but for now, I would just like to say that in my mind, the biggest reason that the Bible says that God hates divorce is that it hurts people" what I was really trying to say is that some other time I may write further about the Biblical and Theological dimensions of divorce (which go much deeper and beyond my current thoughts triggered by friends I know getting very ugly pain-filled divorces).
I did not mean to imply that this is a subjective view (although I can see why my wording led you there). I do firmly believe in the truths of scripture related to divorce, and that this should not be entered into lightly, or for any cause (as Jesus speaks out against), or for the reason you mentioned, that they would possibly be happier elsewhere.
I believe that when a man and woman get married, this is a human analogy of Christ and the Church, and that this is the closest humans can ever come to understanding this mysterious unity. I also believe that this is a covenant made before God and other people that should not be broken. The spiritual unification of individuals within marriage wreaks havoc upon them as individuals when they divorce, as well as tearing apart something instituted by God.
You ask an interesting question and challenge at the end of your statement. You asked, 'What would be the Biggest reason for God to forbid that couple, with no children, who claim happiness not to enter into divorce?'
Certainly, the biggest reason could be said that God hates it and has spoken out distinctly against it. But the question might be asked "why does God hate it so much?" Without further reflection/research on my question, I am not sure how to answer it other than that it is sin and this sin is a particularly painful and destructive one.
Does that address your concern? I would love to hear your perspective as well.
Blessings,
Phil
I've certainly been looking for some jewelry, thanks for the links spammaster...
The problem with with divorce is marriage itself. Marriage is an artificial, human invention and monogamy is not natural. Humans, males in particular, are not supposed to only have a single partner. Throughout nature only around 12% of species are monogamous and almost all of them are birds. Monogamy is very rarely found in mammals and is not found in primates at all, thus the problem with divorce is that people accept marriage to a single person as being at all normal in the first place.
And spare me any biblical references in reply as they're totally irrelevant; biology is important here, not mythology.