New Twist to "If Spouse Leaves You, You Are Free To Divorce" Christianity (wife, marriage)

[thrillobyte]

While this may sound like a Christianity topic, it more relates to relationships so I thought I'd post it here. Hopefully some Christians who frequent this forum will have a few things to say.

But if the husband or wife who isn't a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace. 1 Corinthians 7:15

We've all automatically accepted that Paul is referring to physically leaving, but someone in another forum I frequent suggests that it is equally possible that a spouse can leave the marriage "emotionally" or "sexually" as well, so that although both are living under the same roof the one spouse feels as deserted as if the other had packed their bags and left physically. In that case, this person in the other forum argues, the spouse who has been "deserted" emotionally or sexually is then free to divorce and remarry per Paul's instruction.

Any thoughts on whether this is a valid argument in favor of divorce?

[Betsy84]

I don't feel like getting in a big argument about what the Bible passage may or may not mean.

In my eyes though it means you have at least attempted to work things out with your spouse before leaving.

Emotionally or sexually leaving a marriage could be really construed as anything. But if a married person says, while I'm leaving because my partner has already left in a metaphorical sense, without examining his/her potential role...I don't quite agree with that.

[JustJulia]

I think this is better suited to the Christianity forum, because your discussion depends on someone's belief in the Bible and what Paul says.

[rhacer]

The passage also includes "who isn't a believer."

I think that throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing if you believe in such things.

[Betsy84]

Originally Posted by rhacer

The passage also includes "who isn't a believer."

I think that throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing if you believe in such things.

Yeah.

And for OP, what do you feel that verse means in the context of the chapter you took it from, rather than a stand alone quote?

[TheEarthBeneathMe]

Originally Posted by thrillobyte

While this may sound like a Christianity topic, it more relates to relationships so I thought I'd post it here. Hopefully some Christians who frequent this forum will have a few things to say.



We've all automatically accepted that Paul is referring to physically leaving, but someone in another forum I frequent suggests that it is equally possible that a spouse can leave the marriage "emotionally" or "sexually" as well, so that although both are living under the same roof the one spouse feels as deserted as if the other had packed their bags and left physically. In that case, this person in the other forum argues, the spouse who has been "deserted" emotionally or sexually is then free to divorce and remarry per Paul's instruction.

Any thoughts on whether this is a valid argument in favor of divorce?

Seriously?

So rather than take advice from one of the modern, focused, researched and proven books about relationships today, you focus on a vague interpretation of a quote, that simply tells a person they can leave if the spouse leaves first?

[Inebriated Duck]

Originally Posted by TheEarthBeneathMe

Seriously?

So rather than take advice from one of the modern, focused, researched and proven books about relationships today, you focus on a vague interpretation of a quote, that simply tells a person they can leave if the spouse leaves first?

Those people in Bronze Age Palestine man. They knew all about relationships.

[D217]

Originally Posted by Inebriated Duck

Those people in Bronze Age Palestine man. They knew all about relationships.

lol

[thrillobyte]

Originally Posted by rhacer

The passage also includes "who isn't a believer."

I think that throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing if you believe in such things.

That totally escaped me. My apologies.

The supposition was that the one spouse had completely turned off emotionally and sexually and was basically only going through the motions. The person who generated this POV (in other words the OP that caused this person to give their view on the matter) explained that his wife had basically cut him off from all intimacies and was just in the relationship to use him to pay the bills.

I am at an impasse. Perhaps the thread should die. If I'd started it in the Christian forum, it would have gotten beaten to death anyway so it's probably what they call a "stillborn thread". So...........

[HonestOne1]

Divorce has largely been accepted within Christianity for a variety of "valid" reasons.

Remarriage? no.