Personal and family issues

Question 1

What is celibacy?

Answer 1

Celibacy refers to someone who is abstaining from marriage and sexual relationships.

Question 2

What is chastity ?

Answer 2

Chastity refers to being ‘morally pure’ and means to keep your body free from sexual relationships.

Question 3

Why would someone choose to be celibate? (5)

Answer 3

• may be looking for a relationship but they haven’t found the right person
• they may have been victims of abuse or manipulation in their previous relationship
• they are figuring out their sexuality/orientation
• They may be religiously committed to their faith as a nun, priest etc.
• they could be focusing on their career, or not interested in relationships

Question 4

What is cohabitation ?

Answer 4

Cohabitation is an arrangement where two people who are not married live together

Question 5

Why is cohabitation popular in western countries?

Answer 5

As people may hold relativistic views towards marriage, gender roles and religion

Question 6

Why do some people choose to live with their partner without getting married? (6)

Answer 6

1. To save money
2. Fear of commitment/divorce
3. Low view of marriage
4. Convenience
5. To test whether they are compatible as a couple
6. Alternative to marriage for a same sex couple or an inter-religious relationship

Question 7

Why is it important in today’s society to have a strong family unit? (5)

Answer 7

• to ensure children/offspring are well rounded functioning and happy citizens
• to prevent criminal activity ; hopefully a strong ethic in families will prevent this
• offers a strong support network morally, emotionally, physically and financially
• enables the family to outwork problems in a safe and loving environment
• so society has civilised citizens and they become family/parents that are role models

Question 8

What is a civil partnership?

Answer 8

A civil partnership is a legal relationship which can be registered by two people of the same sex. It is not a union for a heterosexual couple.

Question 9

What does a civil partnership do? How do you register for one?

Answer 9

It gives your relationship legal recognition. This will give you added legal rights as well as responsibilities. To register a civil partnership, you and your partner must sign a civil partnership document in front of two witnesses and a registrar.

Question 10

When can two people sign up for a civil partnership?

Answer 10

In the UK, people can become civil partners from the age of 16 with the consent of their parents.

Question 11

What is the difference between marriage and a civil partnership ?

Answer 11

A civil partnership differs to a marriage in that a marriage is formed when a couple exchange spoken words and vows in addition the legal requirements, whereas a civil partnership is the signing of the legal document only and there is no requirement for a ceremony to take place.

Question 12

What is the law regarding same sex marriage in the UK?

Answer 12

By 2015, all countries in the UK have legalised same sex marriage apart from Northern Ireland which continues to offer civil partnerships to same sex partners.

Question 13

When were civil partnerships legalised in the UK?

Answer 13

Civil partnership was legalised in the UK in 2004 and the first unions took place in Northern Ireland.

Question 14

What do people believe about same sex marriage in NI?

Answer 14

Some people believe that Northern Ireland should also allow same sex marriage as this provides equality and stops discrimination towards homosexuals. Others believe that marriage should not be redefined to include same sex partners.

Question 15

Give three points regarding the viewpoints of the churches on same sex marriage

Answer 15

• The Catholic Church state homosexual people should live in ‘chastity’
• The Presbyterian Church have explained various reasons why people might have feelings towards persons of the same sex and explain that they may need help in working through these issues.
• The Church of Ireland similarly condemns the practise of homosexuality.

Question 16

Give two bible verses concerning same sex marriage

Answer 16

1 Corinthians 6:9 states that people who practise homosexuality will not inherit God’s Kingdom and Romans 1 refers to the practise as ‘unnatural’.

Question 17

Name some negative viewpoints that Christians may have about same sex marriage

Answer 17

• homosexuality used to be closely associated with paedaphilia and some may feel negatively about homosexuals now.
• Traditionalists would argue that God condemns any relationship choice that is outside the boundary of man and wife in marriage.
• Some believe that marriage should not be redefined to include homosexuals

Question 18

Give some positive viewpoints that Christians may have regarding same sex marriage

Answer 18

• Homosexuality is a relationship choice that Christian individuals are free to make.
• God is a God of love and he does not reject people regardless of their sexuality.
• It is unrealistic to ask people to be single forever and not experience the joy of a loving relationship.

Question 19

Heterosexual

Answer 19

A sexual relationship between two people of the opposite gender

Question 20

Homosexual

Answer 20

A sexual relationship between two people of the same gender

Question 21

Nuclear family definition

Answer 21

A traditional family consisting of a mother, father and biological children

Question 22

Extended family definition

Answer 22

Relatives beyond the nuclear family such as grandparents

Question 23

Reconstituted family definition

Answer 23

One or both parents have children from previous relationships and have formed a new family

Question 24

Why would some people choose to have sex outside marriage? (5)

Answer 24

• The desire to make their partner feel loved
• To experiment living with and having a sexual relationship with someone before they marry them
• A strong sexual desire and wish to carry put in consensual relationships
• To gain acceptance with another person or approval from others
• TV and movies have made sex outside marriage seem normal to do

Question 25

What are the Christian opinions on pre-martial sex? (5)

Answer 25

• Many Christians believe that marriage is a ‘sacred act’ which should be kept for marriage.
• They believe it is important to keep yourself ‘pure’ for your marriage partner and not to give yourself physically to other people.
• The act of sex consummates your relationship with your spouse and joins you together with them.
• Genesis 2:24 states that a man ‘unites with his wife and they become one’. Again Christians believe that God has designed the gift of sex to be enjoyed within the context of marriage.
• Prevents unwanted pregnancy outside of marriage and STIs

Question 26

What do the churches say about pre-marital sex?

Answer 26

• All of the main Churches are in agreement that sex should be kept for marriage.
• The Presbyterian church believe that ‘sex is to be enjoyed in the commitment of marriage’.
• The Church of Ireland believe that ‘it is a wonderful gift within the context of marriage’.
• The Catholic Church emphasise that sex outside of marriage is greatly contrary to human dignity and the purpose of sexual relationships.

Question 27

Name two bible quotes about biblical teaching on marriage

Answer 27

• Exodus 20:14 outlines that you should not commit adultery

- “A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the Church and gave his life for it” (Ephesians 5v25)

Question 28

Why do people choose to be married? (5)

Answer 28

• They want to enjoy the company of having another person who is devoted to them.
• They want to show their commitment to the person that they love.
• To provide a stable family in which to have children.
• They don’t believe in sex before marriage and so to have a sexual relationship they may choose to get married sooner.
• If both parties are working they can join their wages together to pay bills

Question 29

When were the rules regarding marriage ceremonies outlined?

Answer 29

the Marriage Act 1836 and the Registration Act 1836

Question 30

Why do marriages end? (5)

Answer 30

• Lack of communication - feelings, thoughts, plans and desires need to be communicated regularly to keep a healthy marriage.
• Domestic violence - either partner may be guilty of physical abuse against their spouse
• Family pressure such as taking care of an elderly parent or sick family member
• False expectations of marriage in which the reality turned out to be different than they expected
  what they thought it was going to be like.
• Bereavement

Question 31

Biblical teaching on divorce (5)

Answer 31

• Matthew 19:6 ‘let man not separate’.
• God hates divorce as he reveals in Malachi 2:16 ‘I hate divorce’. This is because He knows the hurt and effects that divorce will cause.
• In the Old Testament (Deuteronomy) divorce was allowed in Judaism because God recognised that humans would make mistakes.
• In Christianity divorce is heavily debated. Some Christians believe that it should never occur because of Jesus’ teaching. For example He stated in Matthew 5:31-32 that “if anyone divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery if she marries again.” Many Christians would take this verse to mean that marital unfaithfulness should be the only reason why divorce occurs.
• They may argue that a Christian is not to blame if they are not the reason for the relationship having broken down. In 1 Corinthians ch7 the Apostle Paul taught that you are ‘free’ from this responsibility if your partner deserts you.

Question 32

Church teaching on divorce (5)

Answer 32

• Most Protestant Churches teach that divorce should be a last resort and attempts should be made for reconciliation.
• It is believed that honouring your marriage is a way to show obedience to God.
• Churches such as the Presbyterian and Methodist Church believe that if you are granted a civil divorce that this is recognised by God.
• The Catholic Church however forbid divorce and remarriage. As marriage is a sacrament it cannot be dissolved or ended.
• The Catholic Church believe you are committing adultery by entering into a romantic relationship with someone who is not your spouse. They believe that if you are experiencing problems that do not enable you to live with your husband or wife (such as abuse and arguments) then you should separate and live apart.