Do Christians Divorce More Often than Non-Christians?

How many times have you heard that the divorce rate among Christians is higher than the divorce rates among the general population?  Research revealed at this link says that this is wrong.  Conservative religious practice yields lower divorce rates.

[Thanks to Trevin Wax for the link.]

[3/22/11 - More on the issue from Gene Edward Veith at this link.]

Comments

Anonymous said…
So a specific subset of religious people who "attend church nearly every week, read their Bibles and spiritual materials regularly...." show a decrease in divorce rates.

Originally I was going to bring up the possibility that religious beliefs that apply negative connotations to divorce seem to keep people together out of fear of social and religious repercussions. Instead I realized there was a better explanation.

Shared activities strengthening relationships is not a new idea and not solely a property of religious belief.
J. K. Jones said…
Is that you, Sunny Day?

Your comments in quotes:

“So a specific subset of religious people who "attend church nearly every week, read their Bibles and spiritual materials regularly...." show a decrease in divorce rates.”

As opposed to what you hear reported all the time.



“…religious beliefs that apply negative connotations to divorce seem to keep people together out of fear of social and religious repercussions…Shared activities strengthening relationships is not a new idea and not solely a property of religious belief.”

First off, please cite the scientific study that proves those things. If you can’t cite one, do the research yourself.

Second, you would think the Lord had designed us this way and given us commandments to reinforce our behavior.

JK
Anonymous said…
The blurb from the linked webpage is, "Christians divorce at roughly the same rate as the world!"

Its a bit disingenuous and deceptive to move the goalposts to achieve a win by focusing in on a subset of religious believers don't you think? Using the same tactics you can push forth the idea that polygamy is on the rise in religious communes by focusing in on extremist Mormon groups.

I don't see why you included a quote to a position I plainly backed off from and included it in with my other one. But it seems incorrect use of ellipsis is a time honored tactic.

FIrst off: the article you requested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_sexual_monogamy#cite_note-Aron.2CNorman.2CAron.2CLewandowski.2C2002-5

Second: No I wouldn't think that way as I put no stock in the supposed words of fantastical characters. But if it's biblical words you want...
Polygamy
Exodus 21:10
Deuteronomy 21:15
Encourage Adultery
Hosea 1:2
Hosea 3:1-2
Buying and Selling Wives
1 Samuel 18:25-27
Discourage Marriage
1 Corinthians 7:1-2
1 Corinthians 7:7-9
Divorce
Deuteronomy 22:13
Deuteronomy 24:1-2
J. K. Jones said…
Anonymous,

I received an e-mail saying that I had a comment from you. I do not see it here on the site. If it doesn't show up in the next hour or so, I will re-post it for you in its entirety.

JK
J. K. Jones said…
From the e-mail i recieved:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Do Christians Divorce More Often than Non-Christia...":

The blurb from the linked webpage is, "Christians divorce at roughly the same rate as the world!"

Its a bit disingenuous and deceptive to move the goalposts to achieve a win by focusing in on a subset of religious believers don't you think? Using the same tactics you can push forth the idea that polygamy is on the rise in religious communes by focusing in on extremist Mormon groups.

I don't see why you included a quote to a position I plainly backed off from and included it in with my other one. But it seems incorrect use of ellipsis is a time honored tactic.

FIrst off: the article you requested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_sexual_monogamy#cite_note-Aron.2CNorman.2CAron.2CLewandowski.2C2002-5

Second: No I wouldn't think that way as I put no stock in the supposed words of fantastical characters. But if it's biblical words you want...
Polygamy
Exodus 21:10
Deuteronomy 21:15
Encourage Adultery
Hosea 1:2
Hosea 3:1-2
Buying and Selling Wives
1 Samuel 18:25-27
Discourage Marriage
1 Corinthians 7:1-2
1 Corinthians 7:7-9
Divorce
Deuteronomy 22:13
Deuteronomy 24:1-2



Posted by Anonymous to Fear and Trembling at March 02, 2011
J. K. Jones said…
“Its a bit disingenuous and deceptive to move the goalposts to achieve a win by focusing in on a subset of religious believers don't you think? Using the same tactics you can push forth the idea that polygamy is on the rise in religious communes by focusing in on extremist Mormon groups.”

It is perfectly normal to produce a scientific study that focuses on a narrower subset of individuals that were included in other studies. That is how we learn things.

“I don't see why you included a quote to a position I plainly backed off from and included it in with my other one...”

You did post it to the site. If you had backed entirely from it, then you should not have printed it in your comment.

“…it seems incorrect use of ellipsis is a time honored tactic.”

I don’t do that on purpose, and I don’t think I do that at all. I am an engineer, not an English major, but I will try to be more careful. My intent is to not reprint everything someone says as the comments would become laborious and lengthy.

“…the article you requested…”

Is that article printed in its entirety on the internet anywhere? If not, please provide a summary of the argument.

I would agree that shared activity promotes a healthy marriage, but would offer an alternative explanation: God designed them that way and provided laws to prevent them from doing things they were not designed to do.

Your references:

Polygamy – Was regulated in the OT, but was not endorsed (Mt. 19:1-12).

Exodus 21:10 – A regulation, not an endorsement.

Deuteronomy 21:15 – Another regulation.

Encourage Adultery

Hosea 1:2, 3:1-2 – Hosea’s wife committed adultery against him just as Israel had committed spiritual adultery against the Lord. God did not encourage Hosea’s wife to sin; she did that quite on her own.

Buying and Selling Wives

1 Samuel 18:25-27 – The Bible states many things in narrative (relation of the history of people’s actions) that it does not endorse. Please show me in a didactic (section of Scripture that teaches doctrine) a reference that says this is okay. Otherwise I will assume rightly that this is not condoned, just reported as something that happened.

Discourage Marriage

1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 7-9 – Discourages marriage for some, but not for those who “burn with passion.” Those are encouraged to marry.

Divorce

Deuteronomy 22:13 – This would be a case of adultery, which even Jesus allowed (Mt. 19).

Deuteronomy 24:1-2 – “…some indecency in her…” (ESV) refers to adultery (Mt. 19).

If you don’t think so, then it can be seen as another regulation of a practice that is not necessarily condoned. The regulation would protect the wife. With a certificate of divorce, the woman could remarry and so support herself economically. The legislation was given because of the hardness of men’s hearts, and does not condone anything.

And I still don’t know who you are or the majority of what you believe. Anonymous commenting allows you to avoid accountability for your statements, and it is not allowed on many sites. I allow it just to promote discussion, but I have often considered changing my mind. Why don’t you get a blog of your own and put forth positive arguments for a position instead of just criticizing my position (or, if you have done so, link to them)?

JK
J. K. Jones said…
Found your comments. Blogger's spam blocker got them.

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