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Op-Ed Responds to the Tragedy of Celebrity Divorce

Celebrity divorces may be as unsurprising as they are frequent, but that makes them no less tragic, writes Maxwell Strachan in a recent op-ed for the Huffington Post. His article followed the public divorce of celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The two, widely referred to in popular culture by the affectionate moniker "Brangelina," caused a surge of emotions—many inappropriate—from internet users around the world. "Within seconds of the news breaking on TMZ, 'Brangelina' jokes were coming fast and furious, complete with Jennifer Aniston GIFs meant to connote something along the lines of 'I told you so,'" writes Strachan. "People practiced their puns in real time, screamed in all-caps, and fought to become the tweet that came out on top."

But Strachan found it difficult to look at the situation so lightly. "Two adults with six children just split up. And those children will have to deal with the pain that comes along with divorce for years." He goes on to write, "Divorce is sad, not funny, especially when children are involved. I'm not trying to make anyone feel guilty right now about their jokes. I just wish I hadn't felt the need to make them, as well."

Possible Preaching Angles: The need for conviction within the church on the seriousness of divorce and a reminder of the sanctity of the institution of marriage.

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