Perhaps it's easier for these women to put themselves in God's hands than to take their lives into their own hands and get out of the abusive situation. The God I believe in gave us freedom of choice.

Not having been an abusive marriage myself, I can't really pass judgement. But I do know that many people told me when I was in a time of crisis, "God never gives anyone more than they can handle." I know they meant to comfort, but they made me feel worse because I couldn't always handle them.

Thank you all for your intellegent and insightful comments.