Here’s the truth….
Many people who seriously practice a traditional religious faith — be it Christian or other — have a divorce rate markedly lower than the general population.
The factor making the most difference is religious commitment and practice. Couples who regularly practice any combination of serious religious behaviors and attitudes — attend church nearly every week, read their Bibles and spiritual materials regularly; pray privately and together; generally take their faith seriously, living not as perfect disciples, but serious disciples — enjoy significantly lower divorce rates than mere church members, the general public and unbelievers.
But these data only remind us how the media CREATE the news they want to hear. Larry
I’ve long suspected that the data used by the “main stream” media are wrong. Anecdotally, I look around my church and see what this article is saying. This needs to be highly publicized.
The data did always seem a bit odd. We, and most of our friends, are still married after 20+ years, some 30+ years. I regularly attend and am beginning to seriously study a book which held only cobwebs before now; I’ll let you guess which one. I also invoke my faith at home. I honor my family. Isn’t that what it is all about?
Helpful references to research studies and groups. I posted it to my own weblog with comments similar to David’s.