Marriage

Question 1

What do religions believe marriage is the perfect environment for?

Answer 1

Marriage is the basis of family life. It is the environment children should be born to.

Question 2

Why do Christians get married? (7)

Answer 2

• It is God-given
• To have children and start a family
• To avoid sin
• It is a sacrament
• Involve God in their relationship
• To have sex with a clear conscience
• To show life-long commitment to their partner and religion
• In the Gospels Jesus taught about the importance of marriage

Question 3

How do Christians get married? (11)

Answer 3

• Hymns - BOTH
• Exchange of vows - BOTH
• Exchange of rings - BOTH
• Blessing of the rings with Holy Water - CATHOLICS
• Bible readings - BOTH
• Sermon -BOTH
• Prayers - BOTH
• Mass (bread and wine) - CATHOLICS
• Signing of the register - BOTH
• Married by a Priest - CATHOLICS
• Married by a Pastor - PROTESTANTS

Question 4

CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM MARRIAGE

Answer 4

“for this reason a man will leave his father and ,other to be united with his wife and the two will become one flesh.” - MARK 10:6-8

Question 5

Why do Muslims get married? (5)

Answer 5

• Marriage is a gift from Allah
• All Muslims are encouraged to marry, with the view it will be for life
• Family life is important
• To have children / to procreate
• The Prophet Muhammad married
  Therefore all Muslims should marry

Question 6

How do Muslims get married?

Answer 6

1) The Mahr - a mandatory payment paid by the groom to show his ability to provide for his partner
2) Signing the Nikah - Islamic (Shari’ah law), it is the Islamic contract of marriage, IMPORTANT PART (they will also sign a civil service for legalisation)
3) The Vows - not an obligation, say the vows to solidify their commitment
4) Reading from the Qur’an - Imam will recite verses of the importance of marriage
5) Walimah - the party

Question 7

ISLAM - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR MARRIAGE

Answer 7

“he created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them” - QUR’AN 30:21

Question 8

Arranged marriage

Answer 8

• Some Muslim families may decide who their children should marry
• They find who they believe is a suitable partner for their child
• Some Muslim societies do not let men and women freely mix
• In the UK arranged marriages are acceptable but should not be forced

Question 9

Temporary Marriages

Answer 9

• When a man and a women are married for a short amount of time
• It is a formal agreement
• Traditionally used during the time of Prophet Muhammad so men could have a wife when travelling
• Today some Shi’a Muslims take part in these to socialise
• • it takes place in Twelver Shi’a tradition
• Sunni Muslims believe it is wrong as it allows sex before marriage
• • it was also banned by the second Caliph

Question 10

Is marriage out of date?

Answer 10

• if you love someone it doesn’t matter if you are married
• it is easy to get divorced to marriage is not a commitment
• they money could be saved
• people only get married for the party and do not take their vows seriously
• shows you are committed to your partner
• Bible says to wait for marriage to have sex
• Marriage is a better environment to raise children

Question 11

Marriage outside religious traditions issues…

Answer 11

• raising children
• religious festivals
• dietary rules
• families may not accept the marriage
• different moral beliefs
• different gender roles expectations

Question 12

CHRISTIANITY - WEDDING VOWS FOR SOURCES OF WISDOM

Answer 12

"To have and to hold, 
From this day forward, 
For better for worse, 
For richer for poorer, 
In sickness and in health, 
To love and to cherish, 
Till death do us apart, 
According to God's holy law,
And this is my solemn vow."

Question 13

Why do marriages fail?

Answer 13

• Pressure from work/career
• Money
• Parents in law
• Unemployment
• Having children
• Inability to have children
• Affairs