1.2.4 Cohabitation and same-sex relationships Flashcards
What is Co-habitation?
Co-habitation is where a couple live together and have a sexual relationship without being married to one another.
Why do some Christians disagree with Co-habitation? (4)
- Christians, such as Catholics and conservative Anglicans, disagree with co-habitation because they believe that sexual relationships outside marriage are wrong.
- They believe that sexual relationships were created by God as a way for husband and wife to show their love for each other, to deepen their relationship and to produce children.
- Catholics believe that the marriage relationship is different to cohabitation because during the marriage service the couple are spiritually joined by God - once union takes places it cannot be undone. There is no spiritual union in cohabitation.
- Some Baptist Churches may refuse to marry a couple who are cohabiting.
Why might some Christians consider Co-habitation acceptable? (2)
- Whilst many Christians believe that marriage is the ideal, they believe that co-habitation is acceptable where it is part of a committed relationship - that people can live together in a faithful, loving and committed way without being married. Quakers, for example, might support this viewpoint.
- Not all Christians traditions believe that a spiritual union happens during marriage - the marriage ceremony is a ceremony of commitment not of spiritual union. Christians with this view believe that there is no spiritual difference between marriage and cohabitation and as such cohabitation is acceptable as long as it is a committed, long-term relationship.
What are 4 points to support the view that marriage is outdated?
- For atheists, humanists, and other non-christians a ‘spiritual union’/ ceremony to this extent may not be wanted or needed to express their love for one another.
- People can foster loving, committed long term relationships without marriage, i.e, cohabitation.
- People aren’t able to as freely end relationships as they may like, for a variety of reasons even if divorce is the best option for that couple. This is particularly prominent in catholicism.
- Many Christians believe the Bible reflects the views and culture of the author at the time it was written so may not be applicable to modern day society - this includes marriage.
What are 4 points to support the view that marriage is not outdated?
- Without marriage, people may not treat sex as such a special, sacred thing, which can bring harm for a variety of reasons.
- It allows people to make a formal commitment to one another in the eyes of god.
- It promotes a loving, positive environment, particularly for raising children/having a family.
- The Bible promotes marriage.
What do Catholics and Conservative Anglicans believe about same sex relationships?
Some Christians (For example Catholics and Conservative Anglicans) believe that same-sex sexual relationships are wrong.
What is the catholic and conservative anglican belief that same sex relationships are wrong based on? (3)
- The model for human relationships is given in Genesis - having created Adam, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone and so created Eve to be his companion.
- The belief that God created sexual union as a gift for married couples, which comprises one man and one woman, to share.
- Natural moral law shows that it is wrong because same-sex sexual relationships can not fulfil one of the basic goods - to procreate. It is also wrong because Natural moral law suggests that sexual union was created for reproduction - if reproduction cannot happen then sexual union is not being used in the way it was intended or designed.
What do some biblical passages state about sexual relationships between men?
Some Biblical passages state that sexual relationships between men are forbidden. For example;
“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman”
Leviticus 20:13
What do some liberal Christians believe about same sex relationships?
Some liberal Christians (For example, Quakers) have a different viewpoint and believe that same-sex sexual relationships are acceptable as long as it is between people who are in a loving, stable, committed and long-term relationship where the intention is that they are to be life partners.
How do Quakers support their view that same sex relationships are acceptable?
They support their attitude with the argument that the Bible texts reflect the views of the time in which they were written and as such need to be interpreted in the context of modern society.
The document “Towards a Quaker view of sex” (1963) says:
It is the nature and quality of a relationship that matters… the same criteria seem to us to apply whether a relationship is heterosexual or homosexual.
What does the Church of England say about same sex relationships?
The Church of England welcomes same-sex relationships, but it does not allow same-sex couples to marry in Church. Clergy who are in a same-sex relationships are required to be celibate.
