In limbo

Is it such crime, being separated or divorced? Does that mean that the separated or divorced cannot date or get into a new relationship?

I think the former is worse as it is like that person is in limbo, neither here nor there. That makes friends of the opposite sex tread with more caution too. Even us girls, when we find out that a guy is divorced, our first reaction is usually, "eeeh..."

Well, I guess this is more of an Asian mentality. People with a western outlook could be more forgiving. I may be wrong though. They may be outwardly accepting but inwardly rejecting and critical. Who knows?

Religion does not make it any better. The catholic church scorns upon divorcees and has many rules that surround the "blessed sacrament of holy matrimony". There is no such thing as a divorce in a catholic church. There is only annulment. Even that would take ages.

Is not our Lord the all-forgiving Lord Is not the parable of the prodigal son an example that our Lord forgives and loves us all the same?

No, it is said that there are church laws , canon laws to follow. Laws that should not be broken. What sort of law is it that pushes people away from God when they are most in need of guidance? Those who do not want to discern will just away from it all, leaving God and church forever.

Those who have more faith (or are living on the belief that they have more faith) are hanging onto a thin rope, risking talk behind their backs and some, carrying the burden and guilt (that is un-necessary).

Divorce in the catholic church, is still a stigma that is not often talked about. When the priests give sermons and homilies, they paint rosy pictures about creating and maintaining happy families. They try not to talk about the 'dark' side, in the hope that what people do not see and hear about, they will not know. Know that unhappy marriages and relationships exist. That some couples stay together only because religion/ church stipulates so.

Personally, if the church wants to move with the times, I think it is high time that they re-look and address this issue. They should not pretend that the problem is not there.

P/S: As always, with religious stuff, I have this disclaimer that all these are my own POV. Don't want to end up being open target. It is up to you, my reader, to discern whether I am for or against church lah. Cheers!