A Statistics Canada report found that while religious affiliation had little impact on marital dissolution (separation and/or divorce), religious service attendance had a pronounced effect. Among Canadians 25 and older who had ever been married, those who attended religious services occasionally were 10 per cent less likely to have their first marriage dissolve than those who never attended religious services. The risk of dissolution was 31 per cent less for those who attended religious services at least once a month.*
The confusion comes when we associate all of those who say they have a religious affiliation but do not have a living faith. The article goes on to say,
Naturally, claiming to believe something or merely belonging to a church does little for marriage. However, the deeper and more consistent the practice of faith – submitting to a body of committed believers; learning regularly from Scripture; being in communion with God through prayer individually as well as with spouse and children; and having friends and family who encourage deeper marital commitment – the greater difference this makes in strengthening the quality and longevity of marriage.A living, active faith does make a difference in the life-long commitment of marriage.
*"Divorce, the church, and the world," Glenn T. Stanton, March 24, 2011.
2 comments:
I wonder, could these results also be consistent with a church that rejects the divorced? Or with the divorced leaving the church out of guilt or perceived rejection?
You do make a good point Matthew, a correlation does not a connection make. Further research and better studies would be needed to determine the scientific accuracy. Yet, there is an intuitive logic to the fact that those who regularly submit to the teachings of the Bible and submit themselves to the community of the church are likely better at submitting to one another and caring for their marriage.
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