3 - Marriage And The Family

Question 0

Christians for pre-marital sex

Answer 0

The couple love each other, are in a long-term committed relationship, intend to get married in future

Question 1

Christians against sex outside marriage

Answer 1

Bible says for marriage partners, children raise within marriage not outside it, special gift from God for marriage, adultery is a sin, promiscuity leads to STIs, sex unites married couples

Question 2

Christians for cohabitation

Answer 2

Find out if suited as marriage partners and a ‘step’ towards marriage

Question 3

Islamic beliefs about sex outside marriage

Answer 3

Sex is special for marriage (gift from Allah - boys and girls separate, adultery sin, should not behave in a sexual manner towards others, procreation, ideal marriage partner loves Allah

Question 4

Muslim views on marriage

Answer 4

Prophet was married, Allah’s intention, sexual desire gift from Allah to be fulfilled through marriage, Muslims do not cohabit because sex is only for married couples, marriage brings Allah’s blessing and forgiveness

Question 5

Reasons for divorce

Answer 5

Adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertation

Question 6

Catholic views on divorce

Answer 6

Marriage intended for life, Jesus said its wrong, divorce breaks promises made with God

Question 7

Other Christian beliefs on divorce

Answer 7

Jesus seemed to allow it in cases of adultery, people can make mistakes, God is ready to forgive sins, divorced people can sometimes remarry in Church

Question 8

Muslim for divorce

Answer 8

Marriage is not a promise to Allah, Qur’an allows divorce, Islam has rules for how to divorce, family is important and may be better for children if parents divorce

Question 9

Muslims against divorce

Answer 9

Muhammad didn’t divorce, Muhammad said divorce was most hated of all things permitted by Allah, damage lives of children, disrespects family

Question 10

Christian teachings on family life

Answer 10

The foundation of society: children can be taught right and wrong, be brought up in a loving family, family helps keep society stable with love and respect. Family relationships: Bible teaches children should respect and honour parents and parents have a responsibility. Social environment: children introduced to church, children can attend Sunday school. The Church: church seen as a family Christian community provide for families

Question 11

Family values for Muslims

Answer 11

Family is where religious festivals take place, mother and father have a responsibility to raise children as Muslims, family is the foundation of Islam, family provides good environment for children, family life is the first level of community, children are taught to show love to one another

Question 12

Christians for homosexuality

Answer 12

All humans created equal by God, same-sex couples demonstrate feelings of love for each other so should be allowed to celebrate their commitment, Jesus taught “love thy neighbour”

Question 13

Christians against homosexuality

Answer 13

Marriage intended by God between man and woman, homosexual couples can’t have children naturally, seen to undermine family unit, Bible teaches homosexuality is wrong

Question 14

Muslims against homosexuality

Answer 14

It’s forbidden in the Qur’an, it’s punishable by death according to Shari’ah law, can’t produce children, seen as a threat to the stability of the Islamic society, seen to be harmful to the health of individuals

Question 15

Reasons for contraception

Answer 15

Planing family life, too young for children, pregnancy may harm the mother, couple carry genetic disorders, could not provide for child, lifestyle is incompatible with children

Question 16

Christians against contraception

Answer 16

Main purpose of marriage is to have children, sex was a gift from God for procreation, contraception may encourage promiscuity, every sexual act should have the possibility of having children

Question 17

Christians for contraception

Answer 17

Using it is not a sin, financial difficulties or ill health it could help, sex not just for procreation, can help family planning

Question 18

Muslims for contraception

Answer 18

Preserve life of mother, Muhammad supported withdrawl method, in some Muslim countries it’s taught through leaflets and posters for economic reasons, all non-permanent okay for married couples, both partners should be married and consent to the type of contraception

Question 19

Muslims against contraception

Answer 19

Strict Muslim countries only allow natural forms, permanent methods are strictly forbidden, causing an early abortion is unacceptable, children are important to Muslim families