The 2001 census by the Office of National Statistics reveals that 71.6% of the total population of UK is made up of Christians. Muslims make up the largest section of the religious minority at 2.7%, followed by Hindus at 1%. Next comes the Sikhs at 0.6%, and the Jews (0.5%). Buddhists claim 0.3% of the population, and a similar number belongs to various other religions. 15.5% claimed that they do not believe in professing a religion, while 7.3% did not answer the question, which was based on voluntary responses. The average rate of divorce among Christians in 2006 was 27%, other religions totalled up at 24%, while atheists had a divorce rate of only 21%. It must be noted that there are very few atheists compared to the number of Christians, so this could have been discounted as a matter of sheer volume rather than a reflection of a trend. However, most of those who said that divorce and religion are unrelated issues turned out to be practising Christians. The number of Christians among cohabitating couples is also quite high. All these figures reflect a very chaotic picture, with only one verdict emerging with some clarity, and that is the fact that the rate of marriage is falling.
Each religion has its own rules and complications when it comes to marriage, and so does atheism. The attitude towards divorce for four religions has been summarised below.
Christianity
The most important ritual for Catholics is consuming the bread and wine which symbolise the body of Christ on Sundays. By partaking of this, they are reminding themselves of the sacrifice of Christ, and also benefiting from it. Their sins have been atoned for through this sacrifice, bringing them closer to the elusive concept of salvation. Since marriage is considered to be a holy union sanctioned in the presence of God, those who have divorced are not allowed to attend this ceremony, and the Church, till date, is not very liberal about divorce. It may be mentioned here that it was the fight with the Vatican over King Henry VIII’s divorce that created the Church of England (which readily granted the monarch the annulment he sought). More recently, following his famous divorce from Princess Diana, Prince Charles was not allowed to marry divorcee Camilla Parker Bowles since they had been having an adulterous affair for years, and in the eyes of the Church, had been living in sin. This has recently been rectified in a civil ceremony held in Windsor Castle.
Islam
The Muslim attitude and rules of divorce are among the most controversial topics in this field. Islam allows a man to divorce a woman if he pronounces the word ‘talaq’ three times. The rules for women are more nebulous, but divorce is allowed for them too, as has been proved conclusively by Islamic scholars, including on grounds of adultery and infertility. There is a gamut of rules concerning remarriage as well. However, Islam too encourages couples to solve their problems amicably and in private since marriage is a holy union in the eyes of Allah.
Hinduism
Hinduism does not have a fixed text like the Bible or the Koran, probably because it is the oldest religion on earth, and has evolved through the ages. Divorce, as a concept, was quite alien among Hindus, one of the main reasons being that those belonging to a higher caste were allowed to practise polygamy. However, this practice has died away long ago, but divorce is still not very common. The Hindu Family Law is an old body of rules put together during the colonial era, and is partially obsolete by now. Most Hindus in the UK go for a legal divorce if they want one. Cohabitation is also becoming popular among them.
Judaism
The religious rules are as complicated as Islam, though less hotly debated, solely because Judaism does not have too many followers all over the world, compared to Islam. Divorce is deeply frowned upon, but allowed, and only for men. Women’s right to divorce is not very clear, and it is not expected that a woman would divorce her husband. Adultery is strongly condemned, and so is cohabitation. Family life is given great importance in Judaism, and emphasis is laid on the entire family staying together under one roof.
Atheism
If any one thought that being an atheist would solve these weighty and complicated matters, there is the case of Jane Fonda and Ted Turner. Turner, an atheist, blames Fonda’s decision to embrace Christianity as the reason for the breakdown of their marriage.
Ultimately, it all depends on the individual’s opinion. Divorce, after all, is a very ‘personalised’ decision.
