Evangelicals: Why Do We Have the Highest Divorce Rate?

A nationwide Barna Poll conducted in 1999 found that Christians, especially conservative, evangelical Christians have a higher divorce rate than atheists and agnostics.

The rates by percentage for religious groups was found to be:

Non-Denominational 34%

Mainline Protestants 25%

Atheists/Agnostics 21%

This poll is several years old, however, no change in the trend seems to be occurring. This is especially bothersome to me because I would fall into the "Non-Denominational" category. Perhaps it is ignorance on my part, but I have sort of deemed my marriage to be bullet-proof because my theology dictates that divorce is not a viable option. As a general principle, most evangelical Christians I know have a very strict view of divorce; It is only permissible under cases of abuse or adultery. Why, then, should Christians have a higher divorce rate than atheists?

Several reasons were suggested by the Barna Poll, including:

1. Christians are generally younger when they marry the first time.

2. Christians are less likely to have pre-marital counseling than non-Christians.

3. Christians tend to view their faith as protecting their marriage from divorce.

4. Christians are more likely to be ignorant about the problems that can develop within a marriage.

Sadly, I have to agree that many of these reasons might be accurate. I find it upsetting for several reasons:

1. Christians are supposed to be witnesses to the lost with their lifestyle. A loving, healthy marriage is an excellent way of showing Christ to people. If this union fails, so does the opportunity to use your marriage for the furtherance of the gospel. Satan must also work over-time to make Christian marriages fail because it is such a poor picture of what the Christian life should be like.

2. The Church is supposed to be God's medium through which married couples can grow in their faith and walk together. If a couple is faithfully attending church and still their marriage falls apart, I have to wonder if the church is doing its job.