An investigation of factors leading to divorce among the Seventh-day Adventist couples in Kabwe East mission district

Abstract

The Bible reveals that marriage was intended by God to be a lifetime relationship between husband and wife. Statistics from Kabwe East Mission District reveal that 19.3% divorces were recorded in 2006, while 23.5% divorces took place in 2007, and 26.8% divorces were recorded in 2008. The soaring divorce statistics cited above motivated the researcher to examine factors that lead to divorce. This study began by laying the foundational statement on marriage which is in Genesis 1 and 2 of the Hebrew Bible and repeated by Jesus and Paul in the New Testament. Selected Biblical narratives throughout the Bible, and comments from Ellen G. White and other writers show that marriage meant to be monogamous,heterosexual and life-long relationship between husband and wife. Moreover, this study also sought to get opinions from various stakeholders about themarriage and divorce situation in Kabwe East Mission District. Stakeholders had to indicate what they saw as causes of divorce and what could be done about them in order to minimize divorce. The general and specific findings from this study reveal the following: 1. Grossly inadequate theology of marriage as God designed it to be monogamous, heterosexual, and life-long commitment to the spouse. 2. Unawareness and inability to constructively deal with specific factors that lead to divorce like: adultery, in-law conflicts, neglect, financial dislocations, drunkenness, cross-cultural (tribal) unions, disparities in age, education and economic status, spouse abuse and cruelty, early marriages, witchcraft and lack of interpersonal communication skills. 3. General lack of understanding of relational dynamics in a culture which is changing fast and forcing people to move around seeking education and work to earn a living. The conclusion is that divorce can be minimized at Kabwe East Mission District if the married couples there and the whole church come up with appropriate strategies which are targeted at specific factors which undermine marriage. Such strategies need to be crafted and implemented without delay.