Endorsements of “How To Cut America’s Divorce Rate in Half” by Mike
McManus
"How to Cut America’s Divorce Rate in Half is a timely and important
work. As we look to secure a better future for our children there is
nothing more fundamental than the strengthening of the American family.
The first step in strengthening the family is reforming no-fault
divorce. Mike McManus’ latest work provides a strategy to reform this
broken system."
Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council and author of the
nation’s first covenant marriage law.
"The American people have always leaned to the view that divorce laws
are not strict enough, particularly as they relate to the raising of
children. Michael McManus’ proposed mutual consent law is certain to
appeal to a large segment of the populous."
George Gallup, Jr., Founder George H. Gallup International Institute
"Every pastor is stunned by the number of couples in his church who
divorce. Few of them realize that in four out of five cases, one spouse
does NOT want the divorce, but is forced to accept it because the law
actually grants every divorce, shattering the lives of children. Mike
McManus puts his finger on a simple but profound answer: require that in
cases involving children, that both parents would have to agree to a
divorce, except in cases of adultery or physical abuse. I believe this
change in the law could cut the divorce rate in half. That would spare
500,000 children from seeing their parents divorce each year, and save
$50-$100 billion in taxpayer funds. This is an issue that should be
taken to those running for state or federal offices in this election
year."
Rev. Richard Cizik, Vice President of the National Association of
Evangelicals
"Michael McManus is to be commended for sounding the alarm on the
devastatingly negative impact No Fault Divorce has had on our society.
However, perhaps the most valuable thing about How to Cut the Divorce
Rate in Half is that McManus does not just curse the darkness—he lights
candles in that darkness. He draws a blueprint for how we can
substantially remedy the catastrophe of divorce in our nation and how
ordinary citizens can make a difference. This is a much-needed and
encouraging book."
Dr. Richard Land, President, The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics &
Religious Liberty Commission
"It is no secret that one of the best antidotes for failed marriages
is full participation by an espoused couple in a well-developed marriage
preparation program. It is not a guarantee to successful marriages but
the communications and conflict management skills learned in such a
program enhances the possibilities for the resolution of marital
problems without resorting to permanent separation or civil divorce. The
Catholic Church does not believe in divorce at all, but is encouraged
that polls reveal that by a 2-1 margin Americans believe it should "be
harder than it is now for married couples with young children to get a
civil divorce (61% to 35%)." "How to Cut America's Divorce Rate in Half"
suggests how to do that, by requiring written mutual consent by both a
mother and father before any divorce is granted. By giving the spouse
who wants to save the marriage an equal voice with an unhappy mate, many
marriages could be restored, perhaps saving most of them."
Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger, Catholic Diocese of Evansville
"Divorce is the most serious force for family destruction in the
Western world today, and therefore it is also the greatest threat to
both civic order and freedom itself. Mike McManus's proposal for mutual
consent divorce and other reforms offers the realistic prospect of
drastically reducing divorce rate and of creating a needed national
dialogue on this unaddressed crisis."
Stephen Baskerville, PhD, Associate Professor of Government at Patrick
Henry College and author of Taken Into Custody: The War Against Fathers,
Marriage, and the Family (Cumberland House, 2007)
"We need to reform our divorce laws, as Mike McManus suggests,
replacing unilateral (or "no-fault") divorce with mutual consent divorce
where children are involved. This reform would, in the words of one
prominent divorce attorney, "not only influence the decision to divorce,
but the behavior and choices that lead to divorce." McManus recognizes
that laws governing marriage and divorce decisively shape people's
understanding of the meaning of marriage and affect their behavior and
choices. Laws are not neutral. They have an impact--for better or
worse--on the marriage culture. Getting the right laws into place is
among the most critical tasks we face."
Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton
University
“The book Mike McManus has written makes a valuable contribution at
this point in our history, on the eve of the election of a new
president. He restores the critical focus on divorce law reform that was
overtaken and overshadowed by the struggle over same sex marriage."
Katherine Spaht, Professor Emeritus, Landry Professor of Law, Louisiana
State University
"With precise reasoning, overwhelming data, and a passionate heart,
Mike McManus creates a marriage manifesto. A compelling piece, when
implemented, that will systemically and significantly raise the quality
of life for all Americans for generations. The evidence is clear and it
is time to act. Mike McManus makes a case for churches, social entities
and government – both State and National – to act. The more quickly we
act the more quickly we will be safer, richer, smarter, stronger,
happier and healthier. This is a no-brainer strategy with nothing to
lose and everything to gain."
Pastor Jeff Meyers, Christ Lutheran Church, Overland Park, Kansas
"In How to Cut America’s Divorce Rate, Mike McManus gives a call to
action we must not ignore! In this short book, Mike lays out the facts
and figures a strategy for helping change the divorce culture. Read it,
act and let your voice be heard!"
David and Claudia Arp, founders Marriage Alive International and authors
of 10 Great Dates Before You Say “I Do.”
AMichael McManus provides a compelling case for reforming divorce law
in America. His policy proposals are right on the money; they would go a
long way to renewing the culture of marriage in our nation.
W. Bradford Wilcox, associate professor of sociology at the University
of Virginia and member of the James Madison Society, Princeton
University
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