Christianity 2 ~ Human Relationships Flashcards
What are the Catholic Church and Church of England’s views on sexual relationships?
~ Sex should only happen within marriage
~ Sex should only happen as a means of procreation
~ Against contraception as it messes up with God’s intentions
Why is contraception used?
To reduce the likelihood of a pregnancy occurring as a result of sex
Why are Christians against contraception?
~ Prevents the creation of life
~ Sex should only be for reproduction
What was the story of Onan? (Genesis 38:8)
Onan practiced the withdrawal method when he was commanded to get his sister in law pregnant, and God was so upset he killed him
What teaching did God say to both Adam & Eve (Genesis 1:28) and Noah (Genesis 9:11)?
“Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth”
“Your wife shall be as…
…fruitful as a vine, your children like olives around your table”
“Women are saved…
…by childbearing”
Why may some Christians not have children?
~ They may be concerned about overpopulation and may think enough children are already being born
~ Humans have freewill so should make the decision themselves
What are some ethical issues involving sex and reproduction?
~ Women may take the contraceptive pill for medical reasons and will be unable to conceive and please God
~ Pregnancy may be a health issue and risk the mothers life so she may choose to not have children
~ Parents may have diseases that they don’t want to pass on
Psalm 1:28 “Thy wife shall be…
…as fruitful as a vine”
Genesis 2:18 “It is not good for the man…
…to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him”
What is meant by a civil partnership?
A relationship similar to marriage for two people of the same sex
Why is a civil partnership not regarded as marriage in the UK?
Because in the UK marriages have to happen between one man and one woman
What are the responses of the Catholic Church and Church of England to civil partnerships?
~ They’re against them and don’t perform them
~ They believe within marriage should be sexual relationships which create new lives, which isn’t possible for same sex couples
~ They believe performing civil partnerships would suggest that homosexual sex is as acceptable as married heterosexual sex which is against their teaching
What may some Christians think about civil partnerships?
~ They may support them as they provide companionship just like heterosexual relationships
~ They reflect equality, freedom and God’s desire to bless faithful lifelong marriages regardless of the sex of the couple
How do people who want to form a civil partnership do so?
~ Register their intentions with local authorities
~ The partnership can be registered in a register office and the couple receive a certificate
What happens in a Christian marriage ceremony?
~ The minister explains the purpose of the marriage
~ He checks there is no lawful reason why the couple shouldn’t be married
~ The couple exchange vows and rings
~ Prayers are said for the couple to ask God for his blessing on their marriage
~ The couple sign their marriage certificate
What do Christians believe God’s role is within their marriage?
~ He strengthens their relationship and guides them through any issues they may have
~ The vows were made in the presence of God, so God has been part of their marriage from the start
What do the rings in a marriage symbolise?
Commitment, and they show that the person is unavailable for a relationship with anyone else
What do the vows in a marriage symbolise and show?
Commitment, and they can be referred back to during the marriage for encouragement to make the relationship work
What is bigamy?
When someone is married to more than one person at a time. Christianity teaches that people should aim to have one monogamous relationship for life.
How have the rates of marriages and divorces changed since the 1960s?
Today less people get married, yet there is a higher rate of divorces
What are positive views of divorce?
~ People shouldn’t stay together if they’re unhappy together
~ The bible teaches freewill and the right to make your own decisions
~ Divorces are acceptable if there has been unfaithfulness
What are negative views of divorce?
~ It breaks promises made in the presence of God
~ Marriage binds two people together for life
~ Divorce may be used as a quick fix, people should try and sort out their problems
~ “The two will become one flesh”
What does the Church of England think about divorces?
~ They recognise that divorces sometimes happen but they don’t give the man and woman automatic right to remarry in church.
~ They think it’s up to individual ministers to decide whether they think the couple are taking marriage seriously and why their divorce happened
What could a couple experiencing difficulties in their marriage do?
~ Have relationship therapy
~ Get advice from the vicar
~ Pray to God for help
~ Get support from friends
What do Christians believe is the role of women?
~ To obey her husband
~ Raise children
~ They’re entitled to work outside the home as well as men
What do Christians believe is the role of men?
~ Responsible for looking after his wife and children
~ Be in charge
What do Christians believe is the role of the parents?
~ To teach children about their faith and make them well behaved
~ To care for the elderly
What are the rules of church leadership in the Church of England?
~ Both men and women can become vicars
~ Only men can become archbishops
~ The greater level of authority should be the role of men
What are the rules of church leadership in the Catholic Church?
~ Only men may become priests and bishops, and they must remain celibate
~ Women can be extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion
What is the role of the priest or vicar in both the Catholic Church and Church of England?
~ To prepare and celebrate the sacraments
~ Visit the sick
~ Help people in the community
What is the Mother’s Union?
A Christian organisation that encourages married life and sharing the Christian faith with children. It works to help those who have experienced difficulties in family life
What is the life of a monk life?
~ They eat meals in silence
~ Do jobs such as teaching in the school, and dealing with visitors
~ Pray and sing grace
Why do Christians believe marriage is more important than relationships without marriage?
~ A relationship cannot develop fully without marriage
~ There is no commitment and promises
~ They should only have sex if they’re married
What did Jesus teach about marriage?
~ Divorce is never allowed and marriage is for life
~ Also that divorce is acceptable in some circumstances such as if a woman has been unfaithful
What is a civil divorce?
A divorce granted by the courts, it’s regarded by the Church of England and Methodist churches as the end of the marriage and the couple are free to marry again
What is the organisation RELATE?
They provide education and counselling for people in relationships
What is the organisation CMAC?
The Catholic marriage advisory council. They help everyone in need of counselling
Mark 10:2-12 “What God has joined together…
…let man not separate”
In what year were women first ordained in the Church of England?
1994
What is distinctive about the lives of monks and nuns?
They live a spiritual life and separate themselves from the wider community to dedicate themselves to God
What do the Roman Catholic church think about divorces?
~ Marriage is indissoluble and can’t be broken because you made vows to God
~ Remarriage after divorce is like adultery because in God’s eyes you are still married to your first partner
What are the vows said at a wedding?
“From this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part; according to God’s holy law, in the presence of God I make this vow.”
Why is marriage important?
~ Gift from God, and love between man and wife shows something of the love of God
~ Roman Catholics believe marriage is 1 of the 7 sacraments
~ Learn to love, forgive, tolerate and appreciate someone
~ Chance to enjoy a sexual relationship and raise children
When else, other than marriage, would some Christians believe sex is acceptable?
Between a couple in a committed relationship who live together and have intentions of marriage in the future
What are some types of natural contraception?
~ Withdrawal method
~ Sex during a certain time in a women’s menstrual cycle
Why may some Christians accept natural contraception?
Because it reduces the chances of pregnancy but doesn’t stop it completely, so if God wanted that couple to have a child he could stil
‘Christians should never remarry’
+ In the eyes of God it is like you are committing adultery as he still sees you as being married to your first partner
- Divorce is the legal ending to a marriage so you aren’t committing adultery and have the right to remarry
+ Children should be brought up by both of their biological parents for the best upbringing
- “Don’t judge or you too will be judged” you don’t know the circumstances so have no right to judge people’s decisions
