Ch3 - Relationships And Families Flashcards
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How have opinions on sex before marriage changed?
In the past, sex before marriage was considered shocking particularly for a woman.
Now, sex before marriage is widely accepted and many forms of media reflect the belief that it is usual for dating couples to have sex.
Why do Christians believe you should not have sex before marriage?
Christians believe you should not have sex before marriage because sex is part of the loving, trusting relationship that should be developed within marriage.
Give one quote that supports the idea of sex within marriage
“Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-19)
“Every sexual act must be within the framework of marriage.” (Casti Connubii (Written by Pope Pius XI in 1930))
Why do some Christians accept sex before marriage?
Although the Anglican and Catholic churches teach that unmarried people should not have sex, some Christians accept that for some people, sex before marriage is a valid expression of their love for each other.
Give one way in which Christians believe sex can be misused
Christians believe it is wrong to:
Use people for sex
To irresponsibly spread sexually transmitted infections
To risk pregnancy.
What is adultery?
Adultery is having a sexual relationship with someone who is not your spouse.
Why do Christians and many non-religious people believe that adultery is wrong?
Christians and many non-religious people believe that adultery is wrong because:
It involves secrecy, lies, and a betrayal of trust.
It can affect children and cause pain to all involved.
It breaks the promise Christian couples make before God to their wedding
Define heterosexual
The sexual attraction between members of the opposite sexes
Define homosexual
The sexual attraction between members of the same sexes
Define bisexual
The sexual attraction to both the opposite and same sexes
Define asexual/nonsexual
The lack of sexual attraction and sexual interest towards others
Define polysexual/omnisexual
The sexual attraction to people regardless of gender
Define pansexual
The sexual attraction to more than one gender but do not wish to be known as bisexual
Define transsexual/transgender
When a person identifies themselves with a physical sex that is different to their biological one
Give one thing that has reduced the risk of pregnancy, and what this has increased.
Contraception and legal abortions have reduced the fear of pregnancy.
This had led to an increase in: sex before marriage, multiple sexual partners, children outside of marriage, affairs, open homosexual relationships
What happened in 2013 in Britain?
In Britain, same-sex marriage became recognised in law.
Homosexual relationships are now legal and homosexual couples can now marry or convert civil partnerships into marriage if they wish.
Give two views against same-sex relationships
The Roman Catholic Church sees homosexuality as essentially being masturbation, which it believes is always wrong because it is a misuse of the sex organs which are there to create life
The Methodist Church says homosexual sex is not acceptable and they will not bless civil partnerships
Some parts of the Bible clearly frown upon same sex relations, 1 Corinthians 6:9 “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Neither the sexually immoral… nor the homosexual offenders.”
Genesis says that a man and a woman should be united together and ‘increase in number’ (Genesis 1:28 and 2:24). This is why some Christians are strongly against homosexual relationships.
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual people are not sinful because of their homosexuality, but that they should remain chaste (not have sex) to avoid sinful acts.
The Roman Catholic Church and some parts of the Church of England are against civil partnerships because they teach that marriage is the proper place for sexual activity to occur and that one of the main purposes of sex should be to create new life which homosexual sex cannot do
Give two views for same-sex relationships
Individual Christians may feel differently to the main views held by the Churches and feel that everyone is created the way they are by God and should be treated equally
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) fully accepts homosexual couples in their meetings and would support a couple who entered into a civil partnership
The Methodist Church has always been open to discussion about homosexuality and accepts a person as being homosexual
Many Christians believe that it is a part of God’s plan for humans to have heterosexual relationships
Some Christians think Bible texts need to be interpreted in the context of modern society, and therefore consider loving, faithful homosexual relationships to be just as holy as heterosexual relationships.
What is the age of consent in the UK?
In the UK, the ‘age of consent’ for anyone to have sex is 16-years old.
Children under what age are protected by additional specific laws to prevent abuse?
Children under 13 are protected by additional specific laws to prevent abuse.
Define prejudice
Prejudice is opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience
Define discrimination
Discrimination is acting on a prejudiced belief
Define oppression
Oppression is cruel or unjust treatment, usually by a group with authority
What does gender equality mean?
Gender equality means that men and women have the same rights and opportunities as each other
What can sexual stereotyping lead to. Give an example of this in employment.
Sexual stereotyping can lead to gender discrimination. For example not giving a man a job looking after young children, or not employing a woman on a building site.
Give two Christian beliefs against gender equality
Eve was created from Adam’s rib that God took out of man. The man said “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’, for she was taken out of man.” Because of this, some think that women are naturally subordinate to men.
Corinthians 14:34 states that ‘Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.’
Male leadership is prominent throughout the Bible, the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were given special importance. God and Jesus are also men.
Some traditional Christians believe that men are the head of the family and that women should mainly stay at home and care for children. This may stem from a literal interpretation of the Bible texts that reflect the position of women at the time they were written.
Give two Christian beliefs for gender equality
In churches like Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican and other Protestant denominations, women can and do serve in some senior leadership roles.
God said ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the Earth and subdue it’ and this was addressed to Adam and Eve, showing equality.
There are some strong female leaders in the Bible: Deborah was a prophet and judge who led a successful military campaign. Esther was Queen, Huldah was a prophet chosen by a king.
Christians believe that all people have been treated as equals in the image of God. The command to love one’s neighbour means that discrimination is wrong.
Jesus treated women with respect, welcomed them as disciples, and showed that they are capable of more than domestic tasks.
Give an example of gender discrimination in employment today
Some examples of gender discrimination that are still prevalent today:
On average, women are paid less than men; some are paid less than men for doing the same jobs
Women make up roughly half of the workforce, but men hold a higher proportion of senior positions
What were the roles of men and women like in the past?
In the past, men had positions of power in society and more rights than women. For example, women were not allowed to vote or divorce their husbands.
Give one quote to show gender equality
“You are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
“God created mankind in his image”
Give one quote to oppose gender equality
“Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)
“Women were created for men” (Corinthians)
What is a nuclear family?
A nuclear family is a typical family that consists of a man, a woman, and usually two children
What is an extended family?
An extended family is a family that usually conssits of a grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin
Give three reasons why families are important
Families are important because:
They look after you
You can trust them
Always there for you
Support you
Role models
Sense of identity
Gives you shelter
Give three ways in which the Church supports families
The Church helps parents to raise children in a safe environment
Supports families and tries to keep them together
Children may attend Sunday school where ‘they learn about God’
Provides support for growing children/children who lost a parent
Holds family services on Sundays and special events
Offers help and advice to families and look after elderly people
How does the ‘Church family’ help young Christians?
Care - The Bible shows that parents and children have specific roles in order to care for each other
Support - The church provides support for young people
Teach - The Church is where children are taught about God
Identity - Sunday school brings them up as good Christians
Shelter - They are very welcoming, always there for you when you need them
How does the ‘Family at home’ help young Christians?
Care - Look after your and make sure you’re okay
Support - Support you through anything and are there to help
Teach - Teach you morals
Identity - They give you a sense of identity and belonging
Shelter - Give you a place to stay
Give two things Christian parents have responsibility for
Christian Parents have the responsibility to:
Care for their children properly
Teach them how to live by rules
Have their children baptised and promise to bring them up in a Christian household
What are children expected to do, in return, to their parents? Give a quote that shows this.
In return, children are expected to respect their parents and obey them until they are adults themselves.
This is shown in the quote “Honour your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12)
In the UK, what percentage of children live in single parent families?
In the UK, approximately 25% of children now live in single parent families.
In the UK, what percentage of children live in single parent families?
In the UK, approximately 25% of children now live in single parent families.
Why do some traditional Christians disapprove of same-sex parents?
Some traditional Christians disapprove of same-sex parents because they feel the ideal way for children to grow up is with a male and female role model as parents.
How were families different in the past, in the UK?
In the past, families were larger and often included grandparents and other relatives living together. (An extended family)
Define marriage
Marriage is the legally or formally recognised union of two people as partners in a personal relationship
Define procreation
Procreation is the production of offspring; reproduction
Define monogamy
Monogamy is the term for a sexual relationship/marriage/commitment to one partner only
What is divorce?
Divorce is the legal termination of a marriage
What is adultery?
Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their husband or wife
What is promiscuity?
Promiscuity is having many transient sexual relationships
What is faithfulness?
Faithfulness is remaining committed to each other
What is pre-marital sex?
Pre-marital sex is sex between two people who are not married to each other (or anyone else)
What is family planning?
Family planning is the practice of controlling how many children a couple has
What is contraception?
Contraception is the methods used to prevent pregnancy from taking place
What is the difference between marriage and civil partnerships?
Marriage is formed by vows in a religious building before signing a marriage certificate. Whereas, a civil partnership is formed by signing a civil partnership certificate.
However, both legal unions are treated as fundamentally the same.
Give three methods of artificial contraception and explain how they work
There are many different forms of artificial contraception, some of which include:
The pill, or injection, which contains a hormone that stops the woman from producing an egg
The diaphragm, or condom, which stop the sperm meeting the egg – the condom also prevents the spread of sexually transmitted infections
Spermicidal jellies or creams, which kill the sperm directly
The coil (intrauterine device) and the ‘morning after’ pill, which stop a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb – some people consider these methods a form of abortion
Sterilisation (a surgical operation) of either the man or the woman, which is a permanent way of preventing pregnancy.
Give one example of a natural method of contraception
Natural methods involve only having sex at certain times of the month in order to reduce the chance of pregnancy.
Another natural method is the rhythm method, the woman records the length of her menstrual cycles in order to determine when she should avoid having sex.
What are British attitudes towards family planning?
In modern Britain, there is widespread acceptance of the use of contraception in family planning.
Many people think it is more responsible to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Give two Christian beliefs against family planning
The Catholic and Orthodox Churches teach that artificial contraception goes against natural law (the moral principles that are part of human nature). God’s purpose for marriage is to have a family. The Catholic Church believes that sex is for making new life as well as expressing love and that these two purposes should not be separated.
Many Christians do agree that some forms of contraception should not be used because the egg may already be fertilised and therefore conception has taken place.
The coil and the morning after pill prevent the egg from developing, which some people see as causing an abortion. Christians, and many other religious people who believe in the protection of human life from the moment of conception are opposed to these methods.
Give two Christian beliefs for family planning
Many other Christians, will naturally want to have a family, but they do not want every sexual act to potentially lead to conceiving a child.
Anglicans and Nonconformist Christians accept that people should only have as many children as they are able to care for. It would be unfair to bring a baby into a life of deprivation. They allow contraception to enable couples to develop their relationship before having children, or to space out pregnancies to avoid harming the mother’s health.
What is the purpose of marriage for Christians?
For Christians, the purpose of marriage is to:
Provide a stable, secure environment for family life.
Enjoy a sexual relationship - it is the proper place for this to happen
To bring up children within a religious faith
To rovide lifelong support and companionship for a partner.
What is cohabitation?
Cohabitation is where couples live together without being married
Give two reasons why cohabitation may be done
Cohabitation may be done becasuse:
Some people want to see if their relationship is going to work, and then may decide to marry if they are starting a family.
Others never marry, but live and raise their children together in a loving partnership.
The cost of marriage may prevent people from marrying immediately
Give one Christian belief that opposes cohabitation
Christians who are opposed to sex before marriage believe cohabitation is sinful.
The Orthodox Church is opposed to any recognition of a sexual relationship outside of a Christian marriage.
Give one Christian belief that supports cohabitation
Many Anglican and Protestant Christians accept that although marriage is best, people may live together in a faithful, loving, and committed way without being married.
In England and Wales in 2012, what percentage of marriages ended in divorce?
In England and Wales in 2012, an estimated 42% of all marriages ended in divorce.
After how long is divorce allowed?
Divorce is allowed after one year of marriage if the marriage cannot be saved.
How must a legally recognised divorce be obtained?
A legally recognised divorce must be obtained through a court.
How many times is remarriage allowed?
Remarriage is allowed as many times as people wish, to a different partner or their original spouse.
Give three reasons for divorce
Reasons for divorce:
People changing, growing apart, falling out of love
Immaturity
Addiction
Domestic abuse or violence
Infertility
Work and money pressures
Illness or disability
Adultery
What can a lack of communication between couples lead to?
When couples stop communicating with each other, it can lead to:
Resentment
Arguments and instability for children in the family.
Give two Christian teachings against divorce
The Catholic Church teaches that a civil divorce cannot dissolve a marriage between two baptised people.
Catholics can separate but they cannot marry someone else in a Catholic church while their partner is still alive.
For Catholics, marriage is a sacrament that is permanent, exclusive and lifelong, and the couple make vows before God that can never be broken.
Give two Christian teachings that support divorce
However, Catholics can obtain an annulment under certain circumstances if it was never a true marriage. Catholics whose marriage has been annulled are free to marry in church.
Other Christians think that although marriage is for life, sometimes divorce is the lesser of two evils. Divorced Anglicans can marry someone else in church with the bishop’s permission, as long as the priest in that church is willing to perform the marriage ceremony. Priests who are uncomfortable with this may instead offer a blessing after a civil ceremony.
Other Protestant churches, accept civil divorce and allow remarriage in church as long as the couple take the vows seriously. They think that the Church should reflect the forgiveness of God and allow people who have made mistakes the opportunity to find happiness in a second marriage.
