Divorce Perception within the Context of Religious Identity

Results of the Scientific Research Project «Christian Identity and the Quality of Marital and Family Life»

Abstract

This paper puts forward an analysis of the results of the scientific research project entitled «Christian Identity and the Quality of Marital and Family Life» conducted in 2008 in the Republic of Croatia. The project examined the influence of one's religious identity upon attitudes and thoughts on divorce. On the basis of research results with respect to the subject's perception of God, frequency of Mass attendance and frequency of personal prayer – three important aspects of one's religious identity – we analyze the influence of the same upon personal attitudes, particularly on the issue of divorce. The questionnaire dealt with four fundamental assertions concerning divorce, and the subjects expressed the extent to which they agree or disagree. The assertions refer to the absolute indissolubility of a validly contracted marriage in the Church; the riskiness of contracting marriage, and the need to take into consideration, in advance, the possibility of divorce; the necessity and justifiability, in some cases, and, finally, the acceptance of divorce as a completely normal phenomenon. According to the results presented, it is evident that the afore-mentioned dimensions of religious identity have a significant effect on the subject's attitudes on divorce, although in some cases certain deviations do exist. This paper presents also the results of the impact of religious identity upon the subject's thoughts on the most appropriate and best way to organize the future life of one who has experienced divorce.