Divorce and Religion Have Familiar Histories

By Carol Cavanaugh

Marriage is the oldest institution on the planet. In Genesis, God married Adam and Eve after he made them. However, almost as quickly, the rise of divorce came about. The practice was normal during Moses' time, and the Old Testament book of Numbers contains laws for annulment.

It is to be the exception, rather than the rule. In Asian cultures, we are given to understand, it was a bit more commonplace. This is the case to an even greater degree in this modern age. The history of this subject throughout the ages is a fascinating one. At this moment, let us focus on it.

Besides the Biblical account and some fragmentary evidence from other cultures, there is not much on the practice in the western world until the rise of the Greek and Roman civilizations around 1000 BC. In the eastern world, due to the low status given the institution of marriage, with many husbands taking several lives, it was regarded to be quite common. Divorce is lawful in Muslim countries, but in the sight of Allah it is the most hated thing.

In Greek society marriage was both regulated and accepted. Submit a request to a magistrate, in ancient Athens, and it would be judged as to whether it was lawful or not and either denied or granted. Though disapproved of early on in Roman culture, as Rome became less scrupulous it adopted the creed that marriages should be free. In theory, either spouse can apply for a divorce, however, the majority of people do not.

With the rise of Christianity, marriage turned into a more permanent institution. Very few people sought to end their marriages during the middle ages, although some, such as the notorious Henry VIII, defied the morality of the day. Six women became his wife during his reign, two of them he had beheaded.

It still occurred during Victoria's reign, but was strongly discouraged. More commonly, the husband and wife would live separate in a process known as an informal divorce. During the 18th and 19th centuries this was a normal occurrence, but towards the end of this period practices began to revert.

Today, the separation of a husband and wife is common, and the legal process of ending a marriage is even more so. In the United States, marriages end before the death of one partner 40% of the time. This is a far cry from the standards of earlier times. - 30299

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