christian perspectives Flashcards
what is a family according to the CCC
family is the original cell of social life
what do family relationships reflect
Christian teachings refer to God as the Father, creator, and sustainer of all living things. Many Christians see this as evidence that family relationships reflect God’s parental care for all humanity and the family unit is important for society, as well as the Christian faith.
model , ideal christian family
married mother and father, children – nuclear family
bring children up with christianity- infant baptism, confirmation
fidelity and its importance
fidelity is staying faithful to your partner
protect stable family
adultment breaks the 7th commandment
how do churches teach about marriage about marriage
they support couples and have preparation for marriage classes
what quote shows that our role is to have children
be fruitful and muliply - gen 1;26
how should fathers bring their children up - quote from bible
‘fathers…bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the lord’- bring up with christian faith and teachings
father= head of house
ephesians 6;4
quote for how children should view their parents
listen to your father, who gave you life’- proverb 23;22
‘honour your father and mother’ exodus 20;12
men and women quote for helper
genesis 2;28 ‘i will make a helper suitable for him’ - women made for men, meant to be together
quote against divorce
two will become one flesh… therefore what god joined together , let man not seperate
one flesh- one family-spiritually and physically- sex- have child
no divorce allowed
mother’s union case study
world wide mission to help families
campaigns- debt relief, target illiteracy, gender based violence
work with communities
regular meetings to socialise
‘ putting christian faith into action
Mothers’ Union is a global Christian movement working with people of all faiths and none to develop communities, strengthen families and advocate for change.
marrisge
formal and legal union of a man and woman in which they become husband and wife
what does PURPOSE stand for
Procreation
Union
rearing children
Pattern( for society)
One flesh
Sacred
Eternal
coe purpose of marriage and blessings made
couple learns to love one another throughout their lives
marriage should reflect christs love for the church
offers 3 blessings- creation of children,place for sexual relations,help and comfort
marriage binds the couple and god
Catholic purpose of marriage
permanent commitments-no divorce
creates a unique and ubreakable bond
marriage is a sacrament- brings god grace to the couple
constant presence of god strengthens marriage
differences between russian orthodox and quaker weddings
russian orthodox
highly structured- formal liturgy by priest
focus on sacrament of marriage- rich religious symbols, rituals and prayer
officiated by orthodox priest-central role
vows focus on religious sacrament
Quaker
simple structure- silent meditation and reflection
‘friends weddings’- lack elaborate religious ceremonies
don’t require specific clergy member- members of community present are considered officiants
vows are spontaneous- inner spirits promptings
emphasise simplicity- dress modestly- focus on internal aspects
anti gay agenda
minority extremist view introduced by conservative christian groups in america
drive to reverse the acceptance of homosexuality
‘homosexuality isnt something you’re born with but a sinful lifestyle choice that can be cured
conervsion therapy- hypnosis, electric shock therapy, praying , exorcism
e.g westboro baptist church-point out evil and sin
only ones that will be saved on judgement day
catholic beliefs about homosexuality
apply the concept of natural law- st thomas aquinas
purpose of sex is procreation therefore any sexual act which doesn’t have the possibility of this end result is sinful- therefore homosexual relations are immoral- no contraception, no masturbation, no homo-sex
however only the act is sinful so you can have homosexual thoughts but not act on it
apply concept of the bible ‘ man shall not lie with man’ 10 commandments
Anglican ( CoE) thoughts ab homosexuality
do not accept same sex marriage and homosexuality
however call for acceptance of gay believers who sincerely believe it is right for them
vicars who are in married gay relationships are expected to be celibate.
methodists, Quakers homosexuality thoughts
has become largest religious denomination that accepts same sex marriage- freedom of conscience clause for ministers- do not have to conduct weddings they do not want to
liberal views about homosexuality
jesus said ‘love thy neighbout’-agape
man christians open ab faith and sexuality- may uphold values of monogamy and abstinence but with partners of same sex
pre marital sex
sex before marriage
fornication
seeing a person who you do not know- no intention of forming relationship
contraception
artificial methods to prevent pregnancy
celibacy
commitment to not have sex at all
abstinence
commitment to not have sex until marriage
adultery
sex with someone who isn’t your married partner
what can a liberal view of sex lead to
lot more cheating- guilt free sex
possibly kids having sex at younger ages
more stis or stds
vague christian thoughts on sex
beautiful- natural god given thing
for marriage, one flesh
fro creating children ‘ be fruitful and multiply’
10 commandments- you shall not commit adultery
ALL CHRISTIANS are against casual sex and promiscuity (sleeping around)
st paul- ‘flee from sexual immorality
liberal christian view on sex
sex in a stable, commited relationship is accepted
true love waits case study
abstinence group
believe they should be ‘sexually pure’ before marriage
make a pledge and wear a ring to show an outward sign of this commitment
believe that sexual immorality leads to emotional hurt, a worse off society and disease
catholic beliefs on sex
sex helps enrich their lives
requires marriage
natural law- sex for procreation - all marital acts must have the ability to create children
vow of celibacy
church of england divergent views on sex
share view of catholics- marriage required for sex
more modern view:
understand that some couples will cohabit and have sexual relationship
catholic church view on contraception
- reafirmed in humanae vitae- rejection of artificial contraception
morning after pill seen as murder
1968- all artificial forms of contraception banned- during this time, there was development of birth control and legal abortions available
church concerned with resulting immorality
how do catholics control of size of family
rythm method- avoiding sex when woman is most fertile
, NFP natural family planning- period tracking- basically more accurate
potential issues - not allowing contraception
having really big families- not able to support the children, bad quality of life
overpopulation
women are exhausted- if they say no , risk of rape
poverty
spread of disease
protestant and baptist churches view on contraception
teach to use contraception-couples decision whether to have children
children more likely to be cared for
morning after pill not acceptable- life starts at conception
catholic views on divorce and remarriage
NO DIVORCE - gets rid of legal agreement but not holy agreement- your marriage and still binded by god
do annul marriage in cases where- forced, didnt understand vows, couple didnt have sex- never become 1 flesh
remarriage- not allowed, only after first marriage as it doesnt count- technically not a remarriage
CoE views on divorce and remarriage
divorce is inevitable in some cases- abusive relationship, adultery
remarriage is up to parish priest- takes into consideration what efforts you made to keep last marriage
matthew 5;32
‘anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, vcauses her to become an adultress
remarrying= adultery– unless 1st patner was unfaithful
malachi 2:16
’ for i hate divorce says the lord’
mark 10:6-11
‘anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her
how catholic families and CoE bring up children
child is baptised- usually within a year of birth
family commits to praying for the child
incorporate into daily routine
saying grace before a meal
child is likely to attend sunday school
-taught stories from bible
child chooses to get confirmed- commit to christian faith-allowed to take part in eucharist
how amish community brings up children
far more structured
use ORDNUNG- list of rules that outline how they should live
only marry other amish
schooling ends at 14- learn more practical things
women under authority of men-take on domestic role
at age 16- RUMSPRINGA- allowed to live outside the community for a few years and disobey the ordnung
decide whether they want to be fully baptised
most children return and become baptised
role of women in christian family
submit to husband (genesis)
obey husband(marriage vows)’ adam’s helper’
give birth to children and nourish them
role of husband in christina family
head of family and in charge of wife
love wife
support, protect family
role of children
obey parents, honour father and mother
historical context for the roles of husband and wife- liberal view and traditionalist
societies in both old and new testament- very patriarchal
liberal-recognise historical context and instead emphasise agape
traditionalist view- teachings ab men and women are univeral ( all time and all place) and unchanging therefore men and women have diff roles
reasons for equality of men and women
gen 1 men and women created equally
jesus gave women respect-healed a woman
god has time alike for men and women
st ambromse ‘ you are not her master, but her husband’
galations 3;28- neither jew nor greek… male nor female, you are all one in christ
lots of positive , strong characters in the bible
unequal quotes for men and women
women weaker than adam- gave into temptation befoe adam
made as adam’s helper
‘obey your husband’ wedding vows
christ is head of church- a man
christian egalitarianism
men and women created by god as equals
may have different psychological characteristics but should have equal opportunities and no set roles
christian complementarianism
men and women created by god for different purposes
different roles in fsmily and in the church
usually this view held by conservative, evangelical christians, roman catholic, orthodox
men- nurture wife’s abilities, lead the relationship, create space for wife to fulfill her potential
woman- the ‘helpmate’, love, respect and encourage the husband, submit, helper, hold her husband accoountable
roman catholic/ orthodox views on roles of men and women
teach complementarianism
do not permit women to become priests- jesus chose only men to be his disciples,priests represent jesus- a man
menstruation and child birth makes them unclean
Church of England views on role of men and women
allow christian egalitarianism
approve of appointment of women as priests
jesus came down to break barriers
god created both women and men imago dei
free churches view on men and women
allow christian egalitarianism
women ministers for many years
equality
‘god shows no partiality’
noone should be advantaged or disadvantaged because of their differences
embedded/ institutional inequality
where the processes, structures and set up of organisations, provide advantages for some and disadvantaged for others
e.g education
prejudice
judgements that are made about a person- before any reason or any actual interaction
discrimination
prejudice in the act- prejudicial treatment
stereotyping
inaccurate representations of a whole group of people based on a common characteristic
christian beliefs ab equality
genesis 1:27 ‘ god created mankind in his own image’ - imago dei
sanctity of life- all life is made holy by god - all lives are of equal value
galations 3;28
story of good samaritan- agape for everyone
curse of ham
curse of ham was black skin- whole race of people cursed by noah and now only fit for slavery
matthew 19:24
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of god
unitarian belief about the trinity
jesus is in some way son of god but isnt god himself
still believe that jesus was sent to earth as saviour and as a human INSPIERED by god
reject the trinity- wrong to worship 3 things
jehovas witnesses beliefs about the trinity
reject teaching the trinity
god is a single being-name is jehovah
noone is equal to god - jesus is the son of God- had a beginning therefore not eternal
do not believe that holy spirit is a seperate persona
eastern church belief vs western church about trinity with quote
eastern church -holy spirit proceeds from god only john 15:26- the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,
western church- holy spirit proceeds from father and sun
john 1:3- in the beginning was the word
god is the creator and master craftsman
world is dependant on god for its existence
continues to sustain the world and creation was a deliberate act
the natural world itself is a witness to god’s existence
quote for god being atemporal
jeremiah 29:11 ‘ for i know the plans i have for you’
views on god being temporal
if god is outside time ( atemporal)
he would not be able to relate to his creation
god is active in time and everlasting(within time)
god is more personal and engaged
can humans communicate with god directly
catholic church-priests believe that they have been called into their ministry
when priest is ordained he is acting in the power of christ
priest acts as a link for human and god
in protestant church, do not believe that they needa mediator between themselves and God- jesus enabled all people who believe in God can pray to him directly
provision of the law
Christians believe that God has revealed his law to people through the Bible, which they see as a guidebook to salvation.
cosmological argument
st thomas aquinas
based on the concept of causation
1- everything that exists in the physical universe has to have a cause
2- universe exists and so must have a cause
3- that cause cannot have a cause itself
4- that uncaused cause is god—— cause cannot be a part of this universe- has to be eternal , necessary ( doesnt rely on other things) , spirit
pros and cons of cosmological argument
cons- no actual proof, just reasoning, no reason to worship this god, unsatisfactory
pros-logical, not disproved by any science
teleological argument
telos means end/purpose
william paley
watch analogy- finding watch on a heath, complex object must have an intelligent explanation- a watchmaker
eye is much more complex than a watch- must also need a maker who is GOD
complexity and purpose of the universe requires a designer which must be God
pros and cons of the teleogical argument
pro- strong analogy, universe IS very complicated, doesn’t contradict itself
cons- challenged by evolution theory, challenged by J.S mill
comparing something not natural to something natural
doesn’t describe the designer
what is J.s mill’s challenge to the teleological argument
- universe has faults, e.g earthquakes
who would want to worship such a cruel god
anthropic principle- addition to teleological argument
F.R Tennant
universe is so perfectly structured to sustain life and ensure life would develop
evolution is further evidence for existence of a designer god
suggests how god guides evolution
john polkinghorne- anglican minister and theoretical physicsist
in order for life to exist, there must’ve been very precise development- rejects the view that it is simply luck- gen 1 and gen 2 - god creates environment suitable for humans
pros and cons of anthropic principle
pro- doesnt go against science, agree with evolution, uses maths
cons-uses some biblical evidence