While divorce rates in modern Western societies hover near 40% to 50%, divorce among Old Order Amish members is virtually non-existent. In Amish theology, marriage is not merely a legal contract between two individuals, but a sacred three-way covenant between a man, a woman, and God that can only be severed by physical death.
Why Divorce is Strictly Forbidden
The church bases its absolute prohibition of divorce on literal interpretations of New Testament scriptures, such as Mark 10:9 (“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”). If an Amish person were to seek a legal divorce and remarry, they would be excommunicated for living in ongoing adultery.
Handling Severe Marital Conflict
In rare, extreme cases involving abuse or severe mental distress, church leadership may permit physical separation. However, even in separation, neither spouse is permitted to remarry as long as the other remains living. The entire church district and ordained ministers work actively to provide counseling, mediation, and community support to heal troubled marriages.