See bulletin The divorce rate in the late 1800s was around 3% in the United States. Seriously! From that time, most national statistics will show a rise in divorces to about 15% by the 1930s. What is also interesting is that through the 50s, 60s, and 70s the divorce rate in the U.S. tripled, and by 1985 was about 50%. (1) Most Americans have heard this alarming number before. However since the 1980s through today the divorce rate has plateaued and flatted out staying about at that 50% rate. What has changed? The number of divorces continues to grow, but the US Census Bureau and many other University studies are showing that divorce isn't necessarily on the decline, but the number of couples living together before getting married continues to rapidly be on rise. The debate about divorce and marriage is nothing new. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter ten, we see Jesus sharply questioned about divorce. "Then He (Jesus) arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her." 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 "But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Jesus, the Son of God, answers with authority their crafty questioning with two firm points. First, He makes it clear that divorce was being done (like it still is today) "because of the hardness of hearts." Look up when the use of this idea of the "hardness of heart" occurs in the Bible. In the context of marriage (adultery) or pre-marriage (fornication) sin is always involved. Pride and selfishness, and a lack of Christ like love and/or forgiveness all go hand in hand with this "hardness of heart." And Jesus goes on with a second point illustrating clearly that the God ordained husband-wife relationship is something that HE joins together and blesses (NOT let's try it first before we commit = cohabitation, living together, pre-marital sex, etc). Jesus loving illustrates that it is His will for a husband and wife to dwell in His peace together as long as they walk on this earth. That's why He said, "What God has joined together, let not man separate." There can be no debate on Jesus' clear view of marriage. After all, Jesus uses the example of His own love as for what He desires for the marriage commitment (Ephesians 5:21-33). Likewise, the Apostle Paul demonstrates that commitment of Christ when He writes, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13) And what human being, married or not, doesn't rejoice in hearing the commitment of Jesus' love for you when He says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) What a blessing it is that we have this clear affirmation, instruction, and example from our Savior. What a comfort it is when it comes to Jesus' love for you and for me, we know the word DIVORCE is not in His vocabulary. Amen! For a brief further reading on Living together outside of marriage... click here (1) http://divorce.lovetoknow.com/Historical_Divorce_Rate_Statistics