With the strict guidelines on divorce and remarriage in Catholicism, modern day Catholics and Catholic theologians are beginning to bring forth new viewpoints and questions opposing what Catholicism has always rigorously taught. These theologians include Margaret Farley, who has researched and wrote about modern views with her Catholic background on topics like homsexuality, divorice, masturbation, and much more. Farley shows her innovation in her thoughts about divorce and remarriage in the Catholic church. Unlike traditional Catholic beliefs that divorce is never acceptable, Farley challenges this and specifically focuses on three instances where she sees divorce as not only permissible, but necessary. Farley argues with her Catholic background
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Farley poses a question in her book Just Love that many Catholics wonder, “Is Divorce ever acceptable in the Catholic church?” She then responds to this question by stating three cases where she feels that divorce is acceptable. Her first condition for divorce is when the marriage becomes impossible to keep (Farley 305). Farley leaves this first condition vague in hopes of not limiting it to necessarily one specific case or situation. Further explaining this condition Farley states, “First, then, when it truly becomes impossible to sustain a marriage relationship, the obligation to do so is released” (Farley 305). Farley leaves this first circumstance vague purposefully, however, she does not do this so divorce can be taken lightly. Farley asserts that problems in a marriage should be worked on vigorously with the hopes of solving any issues before divorce is brought up. An example of this condition is when violence is taking part in the relationship that is threatening one of the partners (Farley 306). This circumstance where Farley sees divorce as permissible is a perfect representation of her as a theologian. Farley represents her Catholic beliefs by stating that a marriage must be worked on before simply ending it and she also …show more content…
Overall, Farley’s argument is strong and she does a good job backing up her points, however there are a few parts of her arguments that she does exceptionally well. Primarily, she does not simply state whether divorce is right or wrong. In the Catholic church, divorce is considered wrong and there is not much of an option to look beyond that teaching. Farley takes this Catholic teaching and leaves room for more than one answer to this sexual dilemma that is based on circumstances. This approach of more than just right or wrong, is ultimately attractive to Catholics and even non-Catholics. The attractiveness of this idea lies in the teaching from Romans 3:23 which states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23, New International Version). This exemplifies that everyone has points of their life that do not strictly follow Catholic teachings, however it explains that they are still forgiven. Another strength to Farley’s argument is that she uses her knowledge, research, experience, and modern examples to back it up. Her statements being explored and backed up give more validity to her argument and therefore make it more appealing to people who are not sure what is right in wrong in the teaching on divorce. Overall, Farley makes a
Farley poses a question in her book Just Love that many Catholics wonder, “Is Divorce ever acceptable in the Catholic church?” She then responds to this question by stating three cases where she feels that divorce is acceptable. Her first condition for divorce is when the marriage becomes impossible to keep (Farley 305). Farley leaves this first condition vague in hopes of not limiting it to necessarily one specific case or situation. Further explaining this condition Farley states, “First, then, when it truly becomes impossible to sustain a marriage relationship, the obligation to do so is released” (Farley 305). Farley leaves this first circumstance vague purposefully, however, she does not do this so divorce can be taken lightly. Farley asserts that problems in a marriage should be worked on vigorously with the hopes of solving any issues before divorce is brought up. An example of this condition is when violence is taking part in the relationship that is threatening one of the partners (Farley 306). This circumstance where Farley sees divorce as permissible is a perfect representation of her as a theologian. Farley represents her Catholic beliefs by stating that a marriage must be worked on before simply ending it and she also …show more content…
Overall, Farley’s argument is strong and she does a good job backing up her points, however there are a few parts of her arguments that she does exceptionally well. Primarily, she does not simply state whether divorce is right or wrong. In the Catholic church, divorce is considered wrong and there is not much of an option to look beyond that teaching. Farley takes this Catholic teaching and leaves room for more than one answer to this sexual dilemma that is based on circumstances. This approach of more than just right or wrong, is ultimately attractive to Catholics and even non-Catholics. The attractiveness of this idea lies in the teaching from Romans 3:23 which states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23, New International Version). This exemplifies that everyone has points of their life that do not strictly follow Catholic teachings, however it explains that they are still forgiven. Another strength to Farley’s argument is that she uses her knowledge, research, experience, and modern examples to back it up. Her statements being explored and backed up give more validity to her argument and therefore make it more appealing to people who are not sure what is right in wrong in the teaching on divorce. Overall, Farley makes a