Abstract
Religion plays an important role in youth behaviours, making it a significant factor in the discourse on youth sexuality in sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies have found that religion and religiosity play an important role in the sexual behaviours of young people. However, little research in Nigeria has examined the mechanisms through which religiosity influences abstinence remarriage and divorce. Conflicts between Jesus’ teachings on marriage and adultery and some church traditions have resulted in misinterpretation of some bible passages and wrongly premised church doctrines. Previous research has highlighted Jesus' teachings as a stratagem against the high rate of marital problems among Christians, but has not adequately examined the conflict between Jesus' teachings and church traditions on abstinence remarriage and divorce. This study, therefore, examined the biblical perspective of abstinence, remarriage and divorce.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of problem
1.3 Objective of the study
1.4 Research Hypotheses
1.5 Significance of the study
1.6 Scope and limitation of the study
1.7 Definition of terms
1.8 Organization of the study
CHAPETR TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPETR THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 sources of data collection
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sampling and sampling distribution
3.5 Validation of research instrument
3.6 Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introductions
4.2 Data analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Recommendation
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
One way to have a sanitized society is to have good homes. The home, to a large extent, influences how one makes life decisions. It affects one‟s attitude and self-esteem, and aids in the pursuit of a meaningful life. “Each healthy home is a macrocosm of the entire universe, helping to make the entire world a home for God. Harmony within a family often translates into harmony among families, communities and nations. It is clear from the foregoing that these different standpoints on the side of different church traditions are doing more harm than good, because it is sending mixed messages to the world. There is need for a missional approach on the side of the church in this regard and only a missional church can succeed in developing a clear biblical message regarding abstinence remarriage and divorce. The phrase ‘missional church’ is used in this context to refer to those churches that seek to remain true to the mission of God by not only identifying the biblical standpoint of abstinence remarriage and divorce, but also by devising practical strategies to help bring down numbers of those who engage in such practices. The overarching question of this study is: What can a missional church do to bring the numbers of sexual abstinence among the married couples, divorce and the menace of remarriage from the bible view point rather from church doctrine or traditional perspective? In order to answer this question, this study will define abstinence remarriage and divorce; perhaps the most disturbing aspect of religion today is cultural accommodation is found in the surprisingly high numbers of those who make the trek from our church marriage to the local divorce court. Pointing to national statistical surveys which show that conservative Protestants are more likely to divorce than the general population, and that the Nigerian (again, in the center of influence of the allegedly vast sway of the christians) has a higher divorce rate than the rest of the country, theologian Ronald J. Sider rightly pronounces that there is a “scandal of the evangelical conscience.” Grand Rapids: Baker, (2005) Sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, who has done the most significant analysis of this phenomenon, argues for a direct tie between these increasing divorce rates and preaching and ecclesial practice related to divorce and remarriage. We have also recognized the abandonment of an unbelieving spouse to be a biblically addressed violation of the marital covenant (1 Cor. 7:12-16). According to First Evan’s 1978 policy on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, “Exactly what is meant by ‘leaving’ and ‘not under bondage’ [in the 1 Cor. 7 passage] is not easy to interpret…. Our feeling is that desertion…frees the believer from the marriage bond.” Again, neither abandonment nor adultery mandate divorce. But as an elder community we all recognize adultery and abandonment contribute to divorce, with some among us regarding adultery and abandonment as biblically allowable reasons for divorce if reconciliation fails.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Marriage is recognized in many places as the union of male and female in order that there might be continuity in human society. The former American President George W. Bush, while defending traditional marriage on February 24, 2004 says, “the union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution, honoured and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith.” In recent times, there is an evolving paradigm and these traditional definitions of marriage may not be relevant. Marriage is difficult to define because the meaning of marriage differs for different people, times, and culture. William Kynes rightly observes that it may be appropriate, with the development in recent times, to define marriage as the union of two men or two women, or two adults who have consented to be living together in a loving relationship. This definition is welcome with disdain in the Christendom as it is against the biblical principle for a man to be married to a fellow man, sexual abstinence among the married couple is an insight into the unhealthy nature of the marriage, which at this point it can be salvage as divorce is not an option in the Christian faith and remarriage except on the demise of once partner is regarded as adultery. It is in view of the above that this study becomes pertinent.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study has one objective which is divided into general and specific objective, the general objective of this study is to examine the effect of abstinence, remarriage and divorce from the religious standpoint while the specific objectives are;
- i) To examine if there is any significant relationship between sexual abstinence among married couples and divorce
- ii) To Examine the religious effect of remarriage on Christian life of the couples
iii) To ascertain the effect of divorce on the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of the couple
- iv) To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
- i) Is there any significant relationship between sexual abstinence among married couples and divorce?
- ii) Does remarriage has any influence on the Christian life of the couples?
iii) Is there any effect of divorce on the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of the couple?
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
H0: There is no significant relationship between sexual abstinence among married couples and divorce
H1: There is a significant relationship between sexual abstinence among married couples and divorce
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of great importance to religious leaders and pastors as the findings of the study will aid them in the establishing appropriate and adequate teachings, the study will also be of great importance to guidance and counsel professionals as the findings of the study will aid them in counseling married couples who are undergoing trying times in their marriage, the study will also be of great importance to researchers who intend to embark on a study in a similar topic as the study will serve as a pathfinder to further studies. Finally, the study will be of importance to student, teachers, academia's and the general public as the study will contribute add to the pool of existing literature on the subject matter and also contribute to knowledge.
1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers abstinence remarriage and divorce. But in the course of the study, there are some factors that limit the scope of the study:
- a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.
- b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
- c) FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.
1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Abstinence
Sexual abstinence or sexual restraint is the practice of refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity for medical, psychological, legal, social, financial, philosophical, moral, or religious reasons
Marriage
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally recognized union between people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws
Remarriage
Remarriage is a marriage that takes place after a previous marital union has ended, as through divorce or widowhood
Divorce
Divorce, also known as dissolution of marriage, is the process of terminating a marriage or marital union.
1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
