Marriage, sexual relationships, families Flashcards
What are Christian teachings about marriage?
- Marriage is a sacrament: Vows promising faithfulness are made which shows that marriage is binding and sacred
- Marriage is a gift from God, was intended for human beings when they were created
- Marriage is seen to provide security and a stable environment for children to be raised as Christians
- not everyone needs to be married
What is the Christian purpose of marriage
- to provide companionship, friendship and support between husband and wife
- to enjoy sexual relationship within marriage and have children and raise a family
- to make a lifelong commitment to another person, establishing a permanent and stable relationship
Some people argue that marriage doesn’t guarantee happiness.
Christians disagree and believe that it is important for society.
why?
- regulates sexual behaviour
- provides a permanent and stable environment to have and bring up children according to Christian principles
- teaching people to be less self-centred and selfish because they have made a commitment to God and their spouse to live their married life in the way God wants
What is the Humanist attitude towards marriage?
- accept marriage as a secular tradition
- marking important events like a wedding with a personalised ceremony
- do not believe in marriage as a religious institution
- do not believe in marriage as something established by God
What is cohabitation
two people living together and have a sexual relationship but are not married
Roman Catholic Church teachings about cohabitation
- sex before marriage is a sin
- couples who live together are not allowed to take part in communion, divorce or remarry
What do Protestant churches accept about cohabitation?
- attitudes to marriage have changed
- couples live together without being married, although they hope these couples will eventually get married in the church
What is the importance of families today?
- family strengthens society, providing structure and support
- it is where people feel safest, unites people and provides a support network
How does the Parish help families?
- encouraging children to attend sunday school
- supporting couples who are expecting children e.g organising clases and socil events
- organising family events and family worship services
- running parental support classes
- providing counselling support
How does the local parish support families during worship?
- running slightly shorter services
- getting children involved in worship
- providing toys for children to play in church
How does the local parish help Christians through counseling?
- talk to their local priest or another member of the pastoral team
- some parishes offer counselling services such as the Marriage Care or the Catholic child welfare council
- they try to integrate psychology with principles and values of the Christian faith
What does the parish church provide for adults and parents
- social events
- might organize study and prayer groups to help adults learn more about their faith
- some parishes might run courses or non-Christians to learn about the Christian faith e.g. alpha course
Protestant beliefs about contraception?
- accepts the parents should decide how many children they have
- using contraception in a responsible way can bring greater fulfilment to a marriage
- not against teachings
- sensible method of family planning
- main purpose of sex is procreation but sex is also for pleasure as an expression of love between husband and wife
Roman Catholic beliefs about contraception?
- all marital sex must be open to conception
- the bible is clear that human beings have a responsibility to procreate
- contraception could encourage casual sex
- natural forms of contraception are acceptable as procreation is possible
- strongly against contraception that jills a fertilized egg ( morning after pill)
Not all Catholics agree with roman catholic beliefs.
What do they think about contraception?
- lowers the risks of some health issues like aids
- reduces poverty
- helps control the population explosion
What are non-religious views on contraception?
- humanists believe contraception should be used responsibly and not promote promiscuity
- British humanist association argues that if contraception “results in every child being a wanted child and in better, healthier lives for women, it must be a good thing”
- humanists disagree with Roman Catholics because they don’t believe in God or God-given principles
- Atheists believe in reproductive rights and situation ethics
What is the Catholic attitude to divorce?
- Catholics prefer annulment or separation.
- divorce is not recognisd because marriage is for life
- marriage is a sacrament and divorce would break the promises made with God
- even when legal divorce happens, the marriage bond is not broken
- remarriage is not accepted - cannot be held in a catholic church
- Catholics who get divorced are not allowed to receive Holy Communion during mass.
What is the only exception for Catholics for divorce?
annulment, which recognizes that the marriage was never valid in the first place :
- forced marriage
- psychologically unable to understand what the commitment of marriage meant
What are biblical teachings on divorce?
Jesus in the news testament:
- a man can only divorce his wife if she commits sexual immorality
- a divorced woman is a “victim of adultery”
- a man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery
- remarriage after divorce is not allowed
- divorce allowed when desertation happens
What is the protestant attitude to divorce?
- divorce is not be encouraged but may sometimes be necessary
- divorce must be acceptable as UK law allows it
- people can make mistakes and God is ready to forgive sins
- it is up to the individual minister to decide whether a couple is allowed to remarry in their church
What is the non-religious attitude to divorce?
- humanists think that marriage breakdown can cause problems, particularly for children
- better for two parents to share the work and pleasure of bringing up children
- sometimes the best option because it ends the conflict
- do not believe any promises of god are broken
- situation ethics
