OPINION AND COMMENTARY
State Sen. Angela Paxton’s need to give a biblical justification for divorcing her husband, and the reaction of the “Religious Right” are a warning sign of things to come.
Her First Mistake: Announcing Her Divorce On X
If you haven’t seen her announcement, yesterday she posted the following on X:
Today, after 38 years of marriage, I filed for divorce on biblical grounds. I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation. But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage. I move forward with complete confidence that God is always working everything together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.
Her Second Mistake: Using The Bible as an Excuse
The Religious Right pounced on her religious justification with a venom usually reserved for atheists and democrats.
One commentor posted:
Marriage is indissoluble. There’s no such thing as Biblical grounds to seperate what God has joined together. You can seperate from Ken, but you will be married to him until death do you apart, and any subsequent marriage will be adultery.
Another said:
There are no “Biblical grounds” for divorce. You’re dishonoring God, your children and husband by this choice. Jesus plainly said “no” in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9 & that “He who marries a divorce woman causes her to commit adultery.” This goes back to Malachi 2:16 in the Old Testament: “God hates divorce.” You’re plainly defying them but worse still, using your public position to teach others to do the same. If you honestly believed “marriage is a sacred covenant” you’d honor it. This is all a bunch of Double-Speak typical of politicians.
Others pointed out that there is an exception for adultery in the New Testament, to which another replied.
This is a common misconception. These passages were *never* interpreted this way historically; for nearly 2 millennia Christians couldn’t get a divorce by pleading “My partner cheated.” That’s a historical fact that can’t be denied. This is because the “immorality” referred to here would be the result if false marriages were allowed to continue – under rare circumstances like consanguinity or previous marriage vows discovered after the wedding ceremony. Really rare soap opera stuff
Others attacked her announcement as politically motivated.
Why would you feel the need to announce such a thing on X, specially with such loaded terms? Either you’re trying to virtue signal for sympathy, or you’re setting up your husband for a public backlash. Both options reek of disingenuity and bad intent. Not touching this one
Which of course, that commenter did touch, so I am not sure what that means.
What Is Really Behind It All
But this reveals something much deeper about the present direction of Texas, than just criticism of Angela Paxton’s divorce.
That is the future of women and their role in society in general.
It is to some extent about politics, and religion, but that is only at surface level. What lies beneath, and what it portends for our co-workers, friends, mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters, is troubling once you dive a little deeper.
There is a powerful religio-political force in this state intent on recreating a society where women — even their own women like Sen. Paxton — have fewer choices and options in life.
Limiting women’s reproductive rights and choices is not the end of this effort. It is only the beginning.
It was Senator Paxton’s right to choose whether she wanted to stay married or seek a divorce. No one else’s. She is free to decide what is best for her and for her children.
But because of the right wing religio-political persona she has cultivated, she felt she had to justify her decision to the public and her voters. She did so by calling it a biblical divorce and by claiming she was honoring God by doing so. That is bad theology. It was also a serious miscalculation.
She chose to use scripture and God as an excuse. Her critics on the other hand, used it as a weapon.
Blaspheming The Holy Spirit For Political Gain
She was wrong in trying to use God to justify her decision. Angela Paxton made her decision and had every right to do so. Don’t blame it on God. Her detractors are just as wrong. When you use scripture to attack you use it for an evil purpose, and rob it of its power.
I do not know Angela Paxton personally. I do not know what she or her husband are dealing with. I do not know her reasons for standing by her man up until now, or what led to the break.
So long as it does not impact their public duties or fitness for office, it is not any of my business.
But the Pharisees who are attacking Senator Paxton now are not doing it because of devout religious belief. They are sending a message not just to Paxton, but to every woman, wife and mother–stay in your place.
Restoring Women’s Proper Place
Not very long ago, a woman like Angela Paxton, could not open her own bank account, have a credit card of her own, buy property or even have a job without some man’s approval.
She certainly couldn’t leave an abusive husband or do anything to protect her children from him.
That is the world many in our state want to recreate. The double-standard is the most hypocritical part. If Ken Paxton had been cuckolded no one would be questioning his choice to seek a divorce. This part of society says it is okay for boys to be boys. Women have to accept it, and take it and be glad about it. They do not want women to have any real choice about anything unless it is by men’s leave.
This spectacle is brought to you by the same people who want to take away no-fault divorce and roll back women’s right to vote.
I will admit my bias. I have no love lost for either Ken or Angela Paxton. I detest the religio-political facade they built around themselves, and the damage they have caused to so many.
So, don’t take my word for it.
When you see these sorts of things happening to someone like Angela Paxton, look past the religious trappings and ask yourself, “What other reason could there be for persecuting this woman, and attacking her in this way?”
What they really want will soon be as-clear-as Ken Paxton is corrupt. They want women back in their place and not challenging the authority and leadership of men.
The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Concho Observer its staff or writers.
