Former Catholic Problems: Divorce
As a child, I was led to believe that divorce is the worst thing that can happen to a family. Whenever my mother expressed her refusal to divorce from my father, I would smile and assume it shows how strong their bond is no matter how bad some situations between the two can get. As long as they stay together, everything will be fine. Now I realize that can not be further from the truth. My father is an abusive drunk who blames everything on my mother, and the only reason she refuses to leave him is just because of her Catholic beliefs.
While the Catholic church does not outright ban civil divorce, some followers are quite judgemental and will say that they are hurting God for splitting a marriage that he joined. Of course not all Catholics are like that, but those who are give off a horrible example. They scare fellow believers into staying in relationships that are harmful. Worst case scenario, someone in that relationship could be killed from a severe domestic altercation, either from murder or suicide. Not to mention if children are in the picture, I believe they suffer more from their parents fighting all the time rather than if they separate, despite what politicians and religious people want you to believe.
My family has multiple examples of avoiding divorce for religious reasons. My grandparents from my mother’s side happen to be divorced, but they tried their best to keep it a secret and even when everyone else figured it out, nobody ever brings it up outside of gossiping in private. The other being my own parents, as I mentioned in the introduction. Apparently my mother cares more about her beliefs than her own safety if she refuses to separate from an alcoholic egomaniac. Even when he is not drunk, he blames every single problem on her, and if she is ever left alone and he finds out, he will accuse her of cheating with nothing to back up his claim. He treats her like garbage, and I honestly believe she is brainwashed from not just how manipulative my dad is, but also from all the pressure from her church to not break from the marriage that God paired her with.
If you ever plan on getting married to the love of your life, and you’re worrying about how it will turn out, remember this: Divorce is a good thing. Not all relationships last, and if it does end for whatever reason, then it is for the best. If your marriage turns sour, then divorce is there to free you from the now unwanted pairing. Enjoy it while it lasts, and even if it ends, enjoy the rest of your life while it lasts.