The case for divorce (2)

Let me address some misconceptions on divorce. Mrs Busuttil states that "if divorce is legalised both our morals and our finances will surely hit rock bottom".

With all due respect, not everyone is as dim as to believe this. In Malta, separations are legal and any financial issues are addressed during the separation. The only real difference between separation and divorce is that divorce permits people to remarry and have a second chance at happiness.

I feel that both Mrs Busuttil and Mrs Micallef would have had more credibility had they advocated that Malta should not even permit people to legally separate. I state this because de facto there are no other differences between divorce and separations.

The writers should also realise that given the rampant cohabitation and number of children being born and raised outside marriage, the only result is a degeneration of our society. In a few years we will have a sizable number of children who will have grown up without a proper family structure and will not see the need for one.

I feel that both writers' reference to Jesus Christ and God as a reason why divorce should not be legalised only serves to highlight the fact that some people in our country do not tolerate religious dissent. If some people do not want to divorce because this is in conflict with their faith, that is their business.

On the other hand, anyone who did not even get married in church, is the victim of adultery, domestic violence, is a lapsed Catholic, etc., should not be nailed down to a dead marriage, especially where there are no children.

I condemn our government for creating an outdated system that denies these persons another chance at happiness.