Divorce Rate Myth Among Christians

DIVORCE RATE MYTH AMONG CHRISTIANS

A common myth going around is that the divorce rate is the same among Christians as it is among non-Christians. But such just isn't the case, when you take a closer look.

According to the "Americans for Divorce Reform," the divorce rate among the general population in America for first marriages is 41%; the divorce rate in America for second marriages is 60%; the divorce rate in America for third marriages is 73%.

The National Commission on America's Urban Families states that, "Research shows that families that maintain an active religious life tend to have lower divorce rates than those who do not participate in religious worship together."

Bradley Wright, a leading sociologist at the University of Virginia and director of the National Marriage Project, in his book, "Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites ... and Other Lies You've Been Told," reports from his research that "active conservative Protestants" who regularly attend church are 35 percent less likely to divorce compared to those who have no affiliation. Nominally attending conservative Protestants are 20 percent more likely to divorce, compared to secular Americans.

"Being a committed, faithful believer makes a measurable difference in marriage. Saying you believe something or merely belonging to a church, unsurprisingly, does little for marriage. But the more you are involved in the actual practice of your faith in real ways--through submitting yourself to a serious body of believers, learning regularly from Scripture, being in communion with God though prayer individually and with your spouse and children, and having friends and family around you who challenge you to take you marriage seriously--the greater difference this makes in strengthening both the quality and longevity of our marriages. Faith does matter and the leading sociologists of family and religion tell us so."

(Glenn Stanton, Director for Family Formation Studies, Focus On The Family. From a sermon by Dave McFadden, "What We Believe About Marriage - Part One", 8/22/2011)