Personal Amd Family Issues Flashcards
Church teaching on sexual relationships
Presbyterian church; “Ideally God meant sex to be enjoyed in the context of the full commitment of marriage. It is the physical expression of the deeper reality of the two becoming one.”
Church of Ireland; “Human sexuality is a wonderful gift from God…we would urge that young people would question any behaviour that devalues this gift or which hinders its fulfilment within the context of marriage.”
Roman Catholic Church; “Experience teaches us that love must find its safeguard in the stability of marriage, if sexual intercourse is truly to respond to the requirements…of human dignity.”
Attitudes towards same sex relationships
The Old Testament says that homosexual acts should not take place
The New Testament says nothing about homosexuality but St Peter condemns it in his letters
Church teaching on marriage
Presbyterian Church; “Since the beginning of creation God provided marriage as the accepted way in which a man and a woman may come together as husband and wife. This is the only basis on which marriage can take place within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.”
Church of Ireland; “One of the functions of marriage is to provide a stable family unit in which children can be born and nurtured.”
Roman Catholic Church; “Children are the supreme gift of marriage and contribute greatly to the good of the parents themselves.”
Methodist Church; “Christian marriage has two-fold purpose - fellowship and parenthood. Permanence in the union is an essential condition.”
Divorce
The bible teaches that marriage is a sacred gift from God and to divorce is a defilement of that gift. If a couple divorces and finds other people then it’s adultery
The Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church and Church of Ireland all accept divorce as an end to marriage and may even allow remarriage. Catholics hold the view that a couple is married forever and cannot divorce
Responsibilities of parents
Provide for the material needs of a child eg food and clothing
Give love, care and time to a child
Are responsible for the behaviour of a child and use of appropriate discipline
Ensure children receive standard education
Never mistreat or harm the child and protect the child from abuse
