In Judaism, which Jesus practiced, divorce isn't just acceptable, it's common practice. Actually, it was more common a few thousand years ago than it is now with it's more traditional outlook. So, why would Jesus, who came to liberate, as the Messiah, and taught that the rituals and traditionals the Jewish people were keeping were uneccessary and had lost it's real meaing, that being God, tell them they couldn't divorce (bar lewd conduct)? In my personal opinion, I think the texts have been tampered with. Maybe it went more like 'You shouldn't divorce for the sake of it (which you could do)' or something.

Quick, duck and cover! The roof is falling in! Beowulf actually agrees with Ashley! This must be a sign of the impending end! LOL, I agree with you on this one! - Beowulf

Ash, I agree also. I mean I am divorced but I have my reasons not just because I wanted to. I had too for my well being. This is a touchy subject though. I am forwarning you.

LOL, agreeing on something with Beowulf, say it ain't so, miracles will never cease lol

101, Yes, I totally agree that thre are many cirumstances where divorce SHOULD occur, like in families with abuse, constant arguments in the home, or just emotional estrangement from the spouse. Whatever the reason, if you aren't comforatble spending the rest of your life with that person, you shouldn't be forced to live in a 'prison'. I consider 'for the sake of it' when a person just decides to run off with someone else because they feel like it. However, even in that case, lying the th person just for the sake of staying together/kids would probably result in one of the above situations anyway. Bottom line, you need t b happy with th person you're married to, and if that isn't the case, you should move on and find someone you are happy with.

According to the dead sea scrolls Jesus eventually devorced Mary and married a woman called Lydia.

You must remember that the bible is mans rendition of facts, fables, esoteric knowledge(and debunking of) and is a mish mash of the truth. Don't take it literally, it is man made.

the dead sea scrolls do not talk about Jesus.

where do you guys pull that from. its almost as bad and as common as saying the first council of nicaea wrote the NT.

No, they don't talk about Jesus, howover, Enoch, which was also found in the Dead Sea Scrollls DOES foretell Jesus. It does not say anything about Him marrying though, or anything even remotely like that.

First of all I have been divorced it isn't pretty or pleasant thing. Second although I agree divorce can be VERY necessary I feel we take it too common. The idea behind marriage is to find a mate and spend the rest of your lives together not until you tire of it! We take both marriage and divorce too lightly.

"It has been said, `Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery" (Matthew 5:31).

We aren't suppose to divorce unless adultry has been commited. It says in the book.

I think there are some more to like if they aren't a Christian etc. And the obvious if you are being harmed phyiscally.

I guess I am ok then I divorced by ex because of adultry (on her part)

Me too. He was a cheater.

Ok, now heres the problem. In one version of the Bible I have here it says - in brackets - '(except for lewd conduct)' which is explained in footnotes as incest. Now you've got another version which says 'except for adultery'. Either they are adding on to suit themselves, OR they've taken parts OUT (which is my opinion) originally and changed it to 'no divorce' and recently added they parts they feel like adding. I'd LOVE to read the ORIGINAL texts for this.

Hi everyone.

An interesting fact - in my country (Australia), divorce rates are up above 50%. In the U.S, those statistics push above 60%. Divorce is a big issue. Just like it was 2000 years ago when Jesus said this. The Jews were using the laws on divorce for any situation. For example, a man could legally divorce his wife for almost anything - "I didn't like the apple pie you baked last night. I want a divorce".

God planned marriage to be a life-long union. So we can't just break that union because we feel bored, or someone more interesting comes along or for any other purpose that people divorce. Jesus is trying to tell the Jews that if you have problems with your spouse, work them out.

HOWEVER, you can make a case for divorce under other circumstances (abuse, for instance).

And if it's ok to divorce for abuse, then what else is it ok to divorce for?
Once we start thinking like this, then we've taken Jesus completely the wrong way. Jesus wants marriage to be a lifelong thing, just as God created it to be. We should do all we can to remain married.

Regards,

btw, Ashley, I'm not sure what version of the Bible you are using, but every version (including a copy of the Ancient Greek that I learnt while studying New Testament Greek) that i've seen says "Except for adultery".

On a similar note, if I were married, let's say for example I stop talking to my wife. Say I spend all my time at work. Say I ignore her needs. Say I make her do all the work. Say i don't compliment her. Say I don't let her do anything

Then, after all this, she turns for comfort to another man. I can now legally divorce her.

Who was really in the wrong??????????????????

That was from the 'New American Bible' from memory. Got a few here.

Now, in the second post, if you had done all that, she would damn well be in her right to divorce. My point is, people shouldn't stay married, and shouldn't be forced to when they are unhappy. A lifelong union in misery was not what God had in mind when he brought in lifelong relationships. That would be a prison, and no one deserves that. That, in a sense, is a form of abuse, or neglect.

Getting a divorce because you're bored or just a hopeless infidele isn't what I'd consider a valid reason however. It would be up to the other person if they wanted to divorce then.

BFG, Since you aren't married and you would never do this because you love women. I would say she is wronmg because she should have told you she had a prob. Buty in the real don't ever neglect the ladys.

Why go to the store for the bread when you got it at home. Unless it is brown bread? Then maybe.