Divorce is no new thing: it has been part of many cultures for thousands of years. Attitudes on divorce have changed over time, however, and we can even feel that change today. Marriage is often woven into the spiritual fabric of a culture. Some religious traditions condemn divorce or do not permit it at all. Other religious traditions allow or support divorce as a way for two people to end an unhappy marriage.

Jewish law contains provisions for divorce, although many traditions strongly discourage it. Scripture provides rules and processes for administering a divorce. In the Jewish legal system, divorces generally happen by the agreement of both parties and do not require one party being at fault. However, practices and opinions on divorce and marriage can vary from one particular Jewish tradition to another.

Islam also makes provisions for divorce. Just as with Judaism, specific attitudes and practices can vary substantially from tradition to tradition. At various times in Islamic history and in various Muslim societies, divorce rates have varied. In many Islamic societies, marriage has been taken as a violable legal contract. In the flourishing medieval Islamic world, marriage was closer to the modern industrialized world in frequency.

Christian attitudes on marriage can also vary greatly between traditions. The Catholic Church, for example, has never recognized marriage. Even in countries where it is legally possible to get a marriage, the Church will not recognize it. Orthodox and Eastern traditions tend to be similar. Marriage was one of the concerns that led to the Protestant traditions breaking away from the Catholic church, although attitudes and openness to divorce vary from group to group.

There are societal factors that complicate the situation further. In much of the industrialized world, marriage is a legal institution as well as a spiritual one. In many of these countries, divorce is a legal as well as personal process. Even if a particular religious tradition does not allow divorce, legal divorce is still possible in many areas. For people whose religious tradition forbids divorce, deciding whether or not to follow tradition is a very personal process and should be discussed between the spouses.

Deciding whether or not to get a divorce is an extremely personal process. By communicating openly with your spouse, you can create a dialog that works in the best interests of both of you. If you have religious concerns, consider asking for the advice of a spiritual advisor from your tradition.

But marriage is also a legal institution, and the divorce process means deciding how to separate the threads of your lives. From financial planning to child custody concerns, a specialized divorce lawyer can help you better understand the divorce process and create a plan. The skilled Oceanside divorce lawyers of Fischer & Van Thiel, LLP can help you at every step. Contact them today to learn how they can help you.