Family at the Heart of Religion Flashcards
What are three points for agree?
The Decalogue
St Paul taught about the importance of family life
Family life is one of the main purposes of Christian marriage
The Decalogue
“Honour your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20)
The decalogue contains founding rules and moral teachings for all Christians to follow
For family to be included here proves that it is central to Christianity
St Paul taught about the importance of family life
“Parents…bring [your children] up with in the instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1- 4)
Christians should follow the teachings of the Bible and St Paul
They should raise, as they duty as Christians, a Christian family
Family life is one of the main purposes of Christian marriage
During the Marriage Service, it states that marriage is “the foundation of family life.”
It is important to Christians to raise a family within their Christian faith; it is at the heart of marriage and also Christianity
What are three points for disagree?
Some people cannot have children
Although a purpose of marriage is family it is not the only purpose
Pregnancy may be too dangerous for the wife of the family
Some people cannot have children
“Hannah [had no children] because the Lord had closed her womb.” (1 Samuel 1:6)
This couple being childless was part of God’s plan and therefore cannot be at the heart of Christianity as God did not intended for it to be
Although a purpose of marriage is family it is not the only purpose
e.g. Marriage is a public commitment to the permanence of a relationship
This proves that whilst family is important, it is not the most important and thus cannot be at the heart of Christianity
Pregnancy may be too dangerous for the wife of the family
Jesus’ Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12)
If the mother’s life is at risk then she should not have a child
The essence of Christianity is love and sometimes this means that the couple will not raise a family
