R&F - Relationships and Families

Question 1

What doe Christians believe about the family?

Answer 1

The family unit is where loving and respectful relationships can be formed

It is where children can be brought up with Christian values and an understanding of faith - demonstrated through practices of infant baptism and confirmation.

Provides a place for hospitality

Question 2

What does the Bible teach a family should provide?

Answer 2

A place for nurture and disciplining of children. Parents required to respect children, and children to honour their parents

Question 3

What does the Church of England recommend?

Answer 3

Every diocese should encourage its parishes to run courses in marriage preparation and in parenting - helps strengthen family life

Question 4

What does the Catholic Church do for family?

Answer 4

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds believers of the central importance of families in society, saying ‘The family is the original cell of social life’

Question 5

What is fidelity and what does it help to do?

Answer 5

It means to remain faithful and committed to your spouse - no committing adultery
Helps to protect stability of family unit

Question 6

What do the majority of churches teach about marriage?

Answer 6

Anglican, Catholic, Methodist Church

Marriage should only take place between man and woman

Question 7

What does Christianity teach about the outward act of marriage?

Answer 7

Evidence of spiritual unity occurring between couple

Question 8

What do Christians believe about vows?

Answer 8

The promises made are for life and should not be broken

made between a man, woman and God - his presence in marriage is believed to make it stronger

Question 9

What 3 blessings does marriage offer?

Answer 9

the creation (procreation) and nurture of children
the correct place for sexual relations
help and comfort in all aspects of life

Question 10

What should a Christian marriage reflect?

Answer 10

Christ’s love to the church. Christ is forever committed to his people in the church

Question 11

How did christ show his love to his people and how should a married couple act?

Answer 11

Christ sacrificial death on cross

Married couple should not be selfish and prepared to love one another - consider the needs of spouse

Question 12

What does Catholic Church believe about marriage?

Answer 12

It is a sacrament

Creates unbreakable bond between couple

Question 13

What are requirements for a Catholic Church marriage?

Answer 13

Both people must be baptised + one of them must be Catholic

Question 14

What do weddings in a Catholic Church often include?

Answer 14

A nuptial mass and couple may be involved as ministers of sacrament, bringing bread and wine to the altar.

Saying of vows
Following of liturgy
help direct couple’s thoughts to God and his action throughout marriage ceremony

Question 15

What do C of E believe about marriage?

Answer 15

A Church wedding adds a spiritual dimension to marriage as God is included

Question 16

What are requirements for CofE wedding?

Answer 16

Any heterosexual couple can marry - they can also carry out mixed faith marriages

Question 17

What happens in lead up to CofE wedding?

Answer 17

Banns - every Sunday

Allows anyone to put forward reason why marriage shouldn’t happen

Question 18

What is in a church of England marriage?

Answer 18

Vows
Prayers - bring Gods blessing
Words said from Marriage Service from Common Worship (2000)

Question 19

Non-Conformist Church marriage

Answer 19

Much more freedom for bride and groom as they make their own vows
Places emphasis on saying things to God

Question 20

Quaker Marriage

Answer 20

Belief that only God can join couple together means there is no minister to lead proceedings
Couple sit in silent worship with congregation until they feel it is right time to say their vows
Then they sign Quaker marriage certificate and friend/relative reads out certificate
Afterwards silent worship - speak when felt to do so by God

Question 21

Reasons for differences in practice

Answer 21

Different beliefs

Question 22

What are civil partnerships?

Answer 22

a legally recognized union of a same-sex couple, with rights similar to those of marriage.

Question 23

What do the Catholic Church and the Church of England believe about civil partnerships?

Answer 23

They are against it and do not perform them, because they teach that marriage is the proper place for sexual relations

They do not believe homosexual sex is acceptable because it doesn’t create new life

Question 24

why do some christians believe civil partnerships are acceptable?

Answer 24

They provide companionship, unity, stability in same way as heterosexual marriage

Question 25

What do the Catholic Church and church of England believe about same-sex marriages?

Answer 25

They do not carry them out as they believe that marriage should be between a man and woman, with one of its purposes being procreation.

Question 26

What does the Catholic Church believe same-sex marriage could do?

Answer 26

Have harmful effects on society by undermining value of heterosexual marriage

Question 27

What does the Episcopal Church believe about same-sex marriage?

Answer 27

They support it, saying it is a committed relationship through which love can be expressed.

Question 28

What do many Christians believe about pre-marital sex?

Answer 28

Pre-Marital sex is wrong as sex should only happen within a marriage

Question 29

What do some Christians believe about pre-marital sex?

Answer 29

Couples may live together (cohabitation) and have sex as part of a committed relationship, even if they’re not married

Question 30

What does the Church of England believe about cohabitation?

Answer 30

They accept that cohabitation, including a sexual relationship is a step for many people towards commitment to marriage

Question 31

What do all Christians believe about casual sex outside a committed relationship?

Answer 31

It is wrong and sinful

Question 32

What does Catholic Church teach about sex and sex outside marriage?

Answer 32

An opportunity for life to be created

Sex outside marriage is wrong

Question 33

What is celibacy?

Answer 33

Remaining unmarried and abstaining from sexual relationships permanently

Question 34

What are rules about Celibacy for the Catholic Church?

Answer 34

Priests are required to remain celibate as are monks and nuns
It allows them to have God as their primary focus and first love

Question 35

What has Catholic Church viewed on Contraception.

Answer 35

Artificial contraception is sinful because God have sex to humans for reproduction

Does accept natural forms of contraception

In the past they viewed that condoms should never be used but now a Catholic Church Cardinal says that they are

Question 36

What do CofE view on contraception?

Answer 36

It is responsible to use contraception to ensure children are planned and wanted

Question 37

What is abstinence?

Answer 37

Not having sex until marriage

Question 38

What is Teen-Aid

Answer 38

an abstinence organisation that promotes advantages of Abstinence

Question 39

What do Catholic Church believe about divorce?

Answer 39

Not allowed

If in times of difficulty they should separate and work to restore marriage

Question 40

What is an annulment?

Answer 40

Agreeing that promises made in marriage were not valid so neither is the marriage

Question 41

What would be a reason for an annulment?

Answer 41

Person had been forced to marry without consent

Question 42

What do CofE believe about divorce?

Answer 42

Couples should work hard to keep marriage, but sometimes divorce may be required e.g. abuse/adultery

Question 43

Does Catholic Church allow remarriage?

Answer 43

No, because they consider it to be an adulterous act because God doesn’t acknowledge the first marriage occurred

Question 44

Does CofE allow remarriage??

Answer 44

Yes, but if divorcee wants to remarry in Church, it is up ti parish priest to decide this.