3.3

Question 1

Cohabitation and marriage (why changed)

Answer 1

• increased availability of contraception making it safer to have sex without becoming pregnant
• Christianity lost its influence

Question 2

Divorce (changing)

Answer 2

• new laws in 1969 made divorce cheaper and easier

- equal pay act gave equal rights to women

Question 3

Family life (changing)

Answer 3

• increase in cohabitation couples
• increase in reconstituted families
• homosexual couples can get married and adopt becoming civil partners

Question 4

Catholic attitudes to sex outside of marriage

Answer 4

• the BIBLE says that pre marital sex is sinful;damaging relationships with each other and God
• the CATECHISM teaches that pre marital sex is wrong and should be avoided
• all Christians are against ADULTERY because it breaks the marriage vows to be faithful to each other
• Christians believe that SEX is designed for marriage and the creation of life

Question 5

CofE (liberal Protestant) beliefs on sex outside of marriage

Answer 5

Sex outside of marriage can be seen as positive as

• it can lead/ be a step towards marriage and a bond in the eyes of God/ vocation
• sex can be a way of showing love to one another. Jesus taught us to love our neighbour
• one of the Christian purposes of sex is to show unification
• all Christians are against adultery because it breaks the marriage vows to be faithful to one another

Question 6

The purposes of marriage

Answer 6

S acrament-recognising gods role in the marriage
P ermanent-provide love comfort and support
E xclusive - faithfulness
L ife giving - have children and have a Christian family

Question 7

Purposes of marriage as they are reflected in the marriage ceremony

Answer 7

Vows- committing to a lifetime of marriage
Rings- eternal and permanent
Readings and homily - present marriage as being one of life long faithfulness and love
Introduction- marriage is a special sacrament and bond that cant be broken

Question 8

Catholic attitudes to divorce

Answer 8

• Jesus taught that divorce was wrong in marks gospel
• the couple have made a COVENANT with God and this can’t be broken by earthly powers
• the catechism teaches that divorce is not possible for Catholics
• there is no religious divorce there can be no remarriage as that is bigamy and adultery

Question 9

Non Catholic attitude to divorce

Answer 9

• divorce can be the most loving option for children
• divorce can be the lesser of two evils
• Christians have the opportunity for forgiveness and repentance, this should also apply to divorce and marriage
• it is better to divorce than live in hatred and quarrel all of the time

Question 10

Why family life is important to catholics

Answer 10

• one of the main purposes of a Catholic marriage is to have children and bring them up to live a Christians life
• family was created by God as the basic unit of society
• family is the place where children learn the difference between right and wrong
• Christian children are expected to care and look after their parents. This is based on the 4th commandment and teachings of Jesus

Question 11

How Catholic parishes help with the upbringing of children

Answer 11

• most parishes have a local Catholic primary and secondary school connected to them
• parishes run classes to prepare children for receiving the sacraments
• some parishes run children liturgies where children learn about God and read the bible
• Some parishes run youth groups so children are bought up in a secure environment

Question 12

Changing attitudes to marriage, divorce, family life and homosexuality in the UK

Answer 12

• most people have PRE MARITAL sex
• it is now socially acceptable for couples to cohabit (live together) rather than marry
• average age for marrying has increased enormously (25-30)
• only the minority of marriages take place in a church
• divorce is now accepted as a normal part of life

Question 13

How Catholic parishes help to keep families together

Answer 13

• in MASS priests remind couples of their marriage vows and other reasons not to divorce
• parish PRIEST has a duty to give advice and help to couples having family problems
• LEAFLETS that help parishes understand and meet the needs of families facing challenges such as divorce and remarriage
• offer FINANCIAL support for families experiencing difficulties and have links to national catholic charities such as Catholic marriage care

Question 14

Catholic attitudes to homosexuality

Answer 14

• church teaches that homosexuality is a not a sin but acting on those desires is
• homosexual sexual activity is a sin that is condemned in the bible
• tradition of the church that any sexual activity should have the possibility of creating children
• teaching of the magisterium

Question 15

Different Christian attitudes to homosexuality

Answer 15

Liberal Protestant

• bible texts condemning homosexuality shows the beliefs of the time and are not the word of God
• major Christian beliefs of love and acceptance means that homosexuals must be accepted

Evangelical Protestant
-bible says that homosexuality is a sin and they believe the bible is the direct word of God
-believe that the salvation of Christ can remove all sin including homosexuality
-

Question 16

Different methods of contraception

Natural

Answer 16

natural family planning-planning sex at times of the month when a woman is at her least infertile

Question 17

Different methods of contraception

Artificial

Answer 17

Condoms-prevent the sperm reaching the egg
Pill-stops a woman from producing eggs
Morning after pill-brings about an early abortion if the egg fertilises
Femidoms-female condoms that act in the same way as condoms

Question 18

Different Christian attitudes to contraception

Catholic

Answer 18

• use Natural planning rather than contraception as it is a belief stated in the catechism
• church teaches that all sex should be unitive and creative
• some artificial contraceptives bring about very early abortions which is seen as murder by catholics
• you say in your marriage vows that you promise to be open to new life

Question 19

Non Catholic Christian attitudes to contraception

Answer 19

• God created sex for enjoyment and to strengthen marriage therefore there does not always have to be the opportunity to create children
• nothing in the bible that forbids the use of contraception
• can use contraception to limit family size
• using condoms is the best way to combat STDS

Question 20

How an issue of marriage and the family has been presented in one form of the media

Answer 20

Film
40 days and 40 nights
-For the period is lent celibacy is undertaken by the male character and we see his struggle with his vow, this looks at sex outside of marriage
-UNFAIR as it treats in a trivial way the importance of lent and JESUS’ sacrifice in the desert
-UNFAIR as sex is also treated as something trivial as the main character abstains yet believes that pre marital sex is acceptable as so is promiscuity yet most Christians do not
-FAIR to religion as his brother (a priest) does give good advice on promiscuity and how to value the individual
-FAIR as although it is not consistent with all Christian teaching at the end a loving relationship is eventually found showing the Christian teaching that a loving relationship is important