Christianity 2 ~ Human Relationships

Question 1

What are the Catholic Church and Church of England’s views on sexual relationships?

Answer 1

~ 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

Question 2

Why is contraception used?

Answer 2

To reduce the likelihood of a pregnancy occurring as a result of sex

Question 3

Why are Christians against contraception?

Answer 3

~ Prevents the creation of life

~ Sex should only be for reproduction

Question 4

What was the story of Onan? (Genesis 38:8)

Answer 4

Onan practiced the withdrawal method when he was commanded to get his sister in law pregnant, and God was so upset he killed him

Question 5

What teaching did God say to both Adam & Eve (Genesis 1:28) and Noah (Genesis 9:11)?

Answer 5

“Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth”

Question 6

“Your wife shall be as…

Answer 6

…fruitful as a vine, your children like olives around your table”

Question 7

“Women are saved…

Answer 7

…by childbearing”

Question 8

Why may some Christians not have children?

Answer 8

~ They may be concerned about overpopulation and may think enough children are already being born
~ Humans have freewill so should make the decision themselves

Question 9

What are some ethical issues involving sex and reproduction?

Answer 9

~ 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

Question 10

Psalm 1:28 “Thy wife shall be…

Answer 10

…as fruitful as a vine”

Question 11

Genesis 2:18 “It is not good for the man…

Answer 11

…to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him”

Question 12

What is meant by a civil partnership?

Answer 12

A relationship similar to marriage for two people of the same sex

Question 13

Why is a civil partnership not regarded as marriage in the UK?

Answer 13

Because in the UK marriages have to happen between one man and one woman

Question 14

What are the responses of the Catholic Church and Church of England to civil partnerships?

Answer 14

~ 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

Question 15

What may some Christians think about civil partnerships?

Answer 15

~ 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

Question 16

How do people who want to form a civil partnership do so?

Answer 16

~ Register their intentions with local authorities

~ The partnership can be registered in a register office and the couple receive a certificate

Question 17

What happens in a Christian marriage ceremony?

Answer 17

~ 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

Question 18

What do Christians believe God’s role is within their marriage?

Answer 18

~ 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

Question 19

What do the rings in a marriage symbolise?

Answer 19

Commitment, and they show that the person is unavailable for a relationship with anyone else

Question 20

What do the vows in a marriage symbolise and show?

Answer 20

Commitment, and they can be referred back to during the marriage for encouragement to make the relationship work

Question 21

What is bigamy?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

How have the rates of marriages and divorces changed since the 1960s?

Answer 22

Today less people get married, yet there is a higher rate of divorces

Question 23

What are positive views of divorce?

Answer 23

~ 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

Question 24

What are negative views of divorce?

Answer 24

~ 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”

Question 25

What does the Church of England think about divorces?

Answer 25

~ 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

Question 26

What could a couple experiencing difficulties in their marriage do?

Answer 26

~ Have relationship therapy
~ Get advice from the vicar
~ Pray to God for help
~ Get support from friends

Question 27

What do Christians believe is the role of women?

Answer 27

~ To obey her husband
~ Raise children
~ They’re entitled to work outside the home as well as men

Question 28

What do Christians believe is the role of men?

Answer 28

~ Responsible for looking after his wife and children

~ Be in charge

Question 29

What do Christians believe is the role of the parents?

Answer 29

~ To teach children about their faith and make them well behaved
~ To care for the elderly

Question 30

What are the rules of church leadership in the Church of England?

Answer 30

~ Both men and women can become vicars
~ Only men can become archbishops
~ The greater level of authority should be the role of men

Question 31

What are the rules of church leadership in the Catholic Church?

Answer 31

~ Only men may become priests and bishops, and they must remain celibate
~ Women can be extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion

Question 32

What is the role of the priest or vicar in both the Catholic Church and Church of England?

Answer 32

~ To prepare and celebrate the sacraments
~ Visit the sick
~ Help people in the community

Question 33

What is the Mother’s Union?

Answer 33

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

Question 34

What is the life of a monk life?

Answer 34

~ They eat meals in silence
~ Do jobs such as teaching in the school, and dealing with visitors
~ Pray and sing grace

Question 35

Why do Christians believe marriage is more important than relationships without marriage?

Answer 35

~ A relationship cannot develop fully without marriage
~ There is no commitment and promises
~ They should only have sex if they’re married

Question 36

What did Jesus teach about marriage?

Answer 36

~ 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

Question 37

What is a civil divorce?

Answer 37

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

Question 38

What is the organisation RELATE?

Answer 38

They provide education and counselling for people in relationships

Question 39

What is the organisation CMAC?

Answer 39

The Catholic marriage advisory council. They help everyone in need of counselling

Question 40

Mark 10:2-12 “What God has joined together…

Answer 40

…let man not separate”

Question 41

In what year were women first ordained in the Church of England?

Answer 41

1994

Question 42

What is distinctive about the lives of monks and nuns?

Answer 42

They live a spiritual life and separate themselves from the wider community to dedicate themselves to God

Question 43

What do the Roman Catholic church think about divorces?

Answer 43

~ 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

Question 44

What are the vows said at a wedding?

Answer 44

“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.”

Question 45

Why is marriage important?

Answer 45

~ 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

Question 46

When else, other than marriage, would some Christians believe sex is acceptable?

Answer 46

Between a couple in a committed relationship who live together and have intentions of marriage in the future

Question 47

What are some types of natural contraception?

Answer 47

~ Withdrawal method

~ Sex during a certain time in a women’s menstrual cycle

Question 48

Why may some Christians accept natural contraception?

Answer 48

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

Question 49

‘Christians should never remarry’

Answer 49

+ 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