Todd, did you read the small print on your photo?

Here is an example where atheists can live less violent and abusive, and therefore more God-like, lives than fundamentalist Christians.

A quick google will uncover a variety of articles where beating a wife was justified by the “Christian” abuser on the grounds she wasn’t submissive enough.

The bible was written when women, children and slaves were property belonging to the man of the house.  We must consider the context.

Juan, How can an atheist live a more “God-like” life than a Christian?  Atheists, by their philosophy, do not believe in God.  So their standards have to come from personal choice.  It is true that some Christian husbands have behaved badly towards their wives because of sin.

As far as this article goes.  Abuse may lead to divorce in a Christian couple.  There is the biblical option of separation.  There is also church discipline.  The abusing spouse must be confronted.  When the abuser refuses to repent, the abusing spouse at a church meeting will be treated like a sinner until repentance or the abuser abandons the spousal victim.  Then the victim has the option of divorce due to abandonment.

It always amaxes me to read that Sarah and Abraham are put forth when talking about marriage. The Jews in Isreal are fighting a group of terrorists today that are a direct example of Sarah and Abraham’s faithfulness to God on the marriage vows.

Hagar was not in the plan.

Today if a wife were to introduce a third party into the bedroom she would be called a swinger.

How long before we head the words of Jesus when He said to search the scriptures (Old Testament only). It gets more unreasonable every day to be a King James only Christian.

God is a Spirit, according to the Word/word, and seeks such to worship Him. Lay the book down and listen to your HEART/soul for the VOICE OF GOD, Holy Spirit, the only thing left on earth to teach us the will of God. THE ONLY THING left on Earth to teach, guide or lead His children who know His Voice.  Jerry D. Hill

Let me just say I think Physical, verbal or sexual abuse is grounds for divorce.  Not just to abuse but to the Children as well.  Although I know there is not a case or instance in scripture to back up what I am saying in my heart I feel like this is right.  I do not believe God asks a wife/husband to be continually abused by a spouse or allow their children to be abused as well.  While to do believe counseling and reconcilation needs to be tried, in some cases this is just not possible because the person is not willing to change.
I was physically and verbally abused by my parents the root of most of it was my step mom.  My dad and her are divorced today over all of it that happened to us. 
It is easy to sit back and judge and say this is black and white.  Wait till it happens to you or someone you love.  What if it happens to your child?  Truthfully a lot people who say you can’t divorce have probably never been through this and just don’t understand.
Is divorce what God wants?  Of course not, the Bible says God hates divorce.  Does God want women, men to put themselves or their children through hell on earth just to stay married?  No I don’t think so.  Those of you who do, I would say wait till it happens to you or a loved one. 
I thank God every day for the wonderful wife He provided me.

I wonder if that statement in Eph 5:28-29 about cherishing your wife like your own flesh is God’s statement about spousal abuse.

I wonder it Tom Holladay has ever heard of grace. I think it would be extended to an abused woman if she’s asking to go forward with her life.

As I look into the Word, I see that there is the letter and the spirit of the law. Could it be, as I’ve heard some say, that the letter is that divorce is something God hates, but there are rare allowances for it (the spirit behind it being that the hardening of the heart)?

If a man ...let me rephrase that ...if a male (because real men don’t hit women) would abuse his wife, then clearly his heart has hardened against her. Perhaps that would be a Biblical justification for divorce?

I’m just thinking here ...

As a woman who had a 9mm pistol aimed at her from her now ex-husband who was supposed to serve and protect with that weapon, yes it is a acceptable reason for divorce.

How is it that NO one has mentioned the REST of the Malachi verse that everyone seems to know about divorce?

“I hate divorce. I also hate a man who covers himself with violence as a garment, therefore take heed to your spirit that you do not deal treacherously against the wife of his youth” Mal 2:16

PLEASE read verses in totality, in context!
IMHO, cultural Christianity has made a “idol” of “saving” or “restoring” marriages that are clearly DEFILED by physical violations, sexual and otherwise. In the OT, offenders would be DEAD and the offended would be free to remarry.
Logical, as God always is.

i read it all and iam 100% agree with u.

What does “a banded” mean?  Your first point puts nuances into the text that were not meant originally.  If we are to think that way, then we can twist, turn and stretch every and any text to mean what we want to by changing the intent of the writer’s mind into a figurative intent rather than a literal intent.

You either believe the Bible or you don’t. The Bible either says what it says or it doesn’t.  Just because a couple is married doesn’t mean she (OR HE) cannot move out for her (OR HIS) own protection & live apart. 

Another point, there are (although it may be a small percentage) men who are abused by their wives.  In addition, I can’t count the number of men who are emotionally and verbally abused by their wives every day.  In many situations, there are TWO people doing wrong things. TWO people.  I’ve witnessed women badgering their husbands to the point where I would have to just walk away or go for a drive.  Others may not be able to do such a passive thing...although it’s the RIGHT thing to do.  And yes, I know, this is not the cause of “all domestic abuse.”

Dave
I do believe the Bible,
every word of it. abandonment can be applied or understood in several ways, Don’t be telling people that they twist the scriptures or that they don’t believe them.  just because someone has a different understanding of things, or another way of thinking after much study and consideration. I never used the term divorce. Abuse is common, both men and women are victims, I speak of mainly physical abuse, The person getting beat on should get out of the home and seek help. unless you think tha’ts twisting the Scripture also, then why don’t you take an abused persons place and then ask God what you aught to do.

Divorce Guy,
Please show me anywhere in God’s Instructions that it says abuse, mental or physical is grounds for divorce.  That conclusion can only be arrived at by re-defining the original words.  Just as sex before marriage skips the important step of marriage, divorce on grounds of abuse skips the step of the abused partner moving away, showing “tough love” (as James Dobson puts it) & demanding that the other partner get help etc.