One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard at a Wedding was this, “On your Wedding day forward, never joke about divorce or threaten divorce with your spouse. The word divorce should no longer be in your vocabulary (not literally, but actually).”
Here are some interesting stats about divorce for those who are considering Marriage.
Couples who meet in a bar are 25% more likely to get divorced. Individuals who work in bars have a divorce rate of 52.7%!
Couples who attend the same Church (regularly) are 47% less likely to get divorced. It has been said, “The more you miss Mass, the less you will miss it.” If you stop going to Church, you will fall away from what matters to God. And you matter to God. If you have not been to Church in a while and are questioning if you’d even be welcomed back, I have been there. You are welcomed back! And if you still have doubts, I invite you to read The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11).
Divorce rates among interfaith Marriages:
Both identify as having no religion: 44%
One has no Faith, one is Protestant: 63%
One has no Faith, one is Catholic: 26%
One Catholic, one Protestant: 24%
Both Catholic: 29%
Both Protestant: 42%
Now, you might look at these numbers and be like, then shouldn’t I Marry someone of an opposite Faith? No. I believe these skewed numbers have more to do with how serous individuals who claim to be of a certain tradition have a relationship with Christ. Two Catholics, both might attend Church, but only one might have a relationship with our Lord. The other might just be going through the motions. Or both couples might claim the same Protestant Faith tradition, but maybe one spouse works on Sundays and only Prays when he/she needs something from Him.
What does the Bible say about Marrying a non-believer? 2 Corinthians 6:14 is where you will find more about why it is important to be evenly yoked with someone who shares your love of Christ.
Playing House vs. Living Marriage:
Couples who lived together before Marriage: 37%
Couples who did not cohabitate before Marriage: 22%
Couples who use Natural Family Planning (NFP): 9.6%
Women who lost their vırginity as a teenąger are more than twice likely to get divorced in the first five years of Marriage than women who waited. Both men and women who have lost their vırginity before the age of eighteen have a higher rate of divorce in the first ten years of Marriage than individuals who waited until Marriage.
Couples who have friends who divorce have a 75% increase risk of divorce! This does not mean that we, as Christians, should abandon our friends in their time of need, but don’t let their decisions in their life influence your decisions in your life.
Divorce rates among Political worldviews:
Conservatives: 28%
Progressives: 37%
Moderates: 33%
66% of divorces are are filed by women (men need to step up their game and be better husbands).
“Third time’s a charm?” Nope!
First Marriages: 35%
Second Marriages: 60%
Third Marriages: 70%
Farmers are least likely to divorce: 7.6%
Agricultural Engineers: 1.78%
Maybe FarmersOnly was onto something ; )
What does Sacred Scripture (The Bible) say about Marriage & Divorce? Matthew 19, is where you will find Jesus’ disciples asking about this very topic.
The Catholic Church does not formally recognize divorce. In the eyes of the Church, the Sacrament of Marriage is a lifelong bond. However, The Catechism of the Catholic Church acknowledges that separation of Married couples may be necessary, especially if the well-being of spouses or children is threatened.
26% of civilly divorced U.S. Catholics have sought an Annulment from the Catholic Church, either themselves or through their former spouse. An Annulment is not Catholic divorce.
I am not posting these to dissuade anyone from discerning Marriage, nor am I encouraging anyone to get divorced. I am simply sharing some things to consider when discerning to get Married. I also invite singled persons to also discern if God is calling you to the Religious Life (Are you being called by God to become a Nun or a Priest?)