Relationships And Families Flashcards
Why do Christians approve of Heterosexual relationships?
Jesus emphasised heterosexual relationships
Way to have children
Part of God’s plan
Why are Christians strongly against Heterosexual relationships?
Genesis says that a man and a woman should be united together and ‘increase in number’.
How do some Christians argue against this?
Believe the most loving thing to do would be to adapt their teachings to fit a changing world.
What do the Catholic Church believe?
Homosexual people are not sinful because of their sexuality BUT it is sinful to do homosexual acts e.g. sleep with each other
What do the Church of England argue?
Welcome homosexual Christians who live in a faithful, committed relationship but they aren’t allowed to marry within church.
What do Quakers believe?
Consider loving, faithful homosexual relationships to be just as holy as heterosexual relationships.
What is a quote against homosexuality?
‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.’
What is another argument against homosexuality?
That all sexual activity should have the possibility of creating new life and that isn’t possible in a homosexual relationship
What do Muslims argue about homosexual relationships?
Homosexual relationships are not permitted and in most Muslim countries it is against the law and the punishments are severe.
What is Sex before marriage?
Sex between two single unmarried people.
What is sex outside of marriage?
Sex between two people when one is already married (in a relationship) I.e having an affair.
Why do some Christians disapprove of sex before marriage?
They believe sex expresses a deep, loving union so it is important to only be sexually pure as having sex is part of a loving relationship that should only be developed in marriage.
Wrong to use people for sex and be irresponsibly or casual with it outside of marriage.
Why else do Christians promote sex within marriage?
Sex is a gift from god and should be used in procreation and the on,y place to raise children is in marriage.
“God wants you to be holy and completely free from sexual immortality”
What do the Catholics and Anglicans teach about sex before marriage?
They believe unmarried people shouldn’t have sex
How do some Christians oppose this?
Believe and accept that a couple may live together and have sex if it’s in a committed relationship (not marriage) and it is a valid expression of love
But NO CHRISTIANS accost casual relationships e.g. one night stands
What do Catholics believe about sex before marriage?
- Argue that sex is the bodies language as it is a way to express love
- Also teach that every time the act of sex occurs, there should be the possibility of new life
Believe God gave humans the gift of sex to reproduce and populate the earth
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”
What do the Church of England Christians believe?
Teach that the proper place for sex is in marriage as the vows reflect love and commitment
Some believe that sex before marriage falls short of Gods purpose, others have been prompted to accept that more couples are in cohabitation as a step towards marriage.
What is the silver ring?
Evangelical based movement which promotes abstinence (no sex) until marriage
Young people wear a silver ring that is only to be replace by their wedding ring
A symbol of commitment to remain pure until marriage
What do Christians believe on adultery?
All religions place a high value of faithfulness within marriage.
Disapprove of auditory as it is a high act of betrayal
Jesus taught that lust (which can lead to adultery) is wrong
Adultery breaks the bond of marriage
What do Muslims believe?
Adultery is seen as a very serious crime and is punished harshly
Most Muslims believe sex before marriage is not allowed as sex is seen as a gift from Allah.
Many meetings between an unmarried couple are chaperoned
What is family planning?
Controlling how many kids a couple want and when.
In modern Britain, why is contraception accepted?
It is more responsible to prevent unwanted pregnancies
What is artificial and natural contraception?
Artificial - condom e.t.c
Natural - tracking woman’s menstrual cycle then having sex e.t.c
What do Catholics (and orthodox) believe about contraception?
Artificial contraception (sinful to Catholics) is against Gods will and purpose for marriage which is to procreate when having sex. Not against family planning - but others disagree as it’s very unreliable and doesn’t prevent STIs.
What do Muslims believe?
Accepting of contraception as they believe Allah gave the gift of sex to procreate, but don’t want every sexual act to result in a child
What do Anglican’s and Non-conformist Christians believe?
Accept contraception as children should only be had if you can care for them as it’s not fair for a baby to be born into deprivation.
Believe using contraception allows a couple to strengthen their relationship before having children or to space our pregnancies regarding mother’s health
Do The Church of England accept contraception?
Yes 1930.
What do some Christians believe about the morning after pill?
Believe that by that point the egg is already fertilised so using the morning after pill could be classed as abortion which many find wrong.
Believe in protecting human life from the moment of conception
What is a quote about contraception being wrong?
‘Every sexual act should have the possibility of new life.’
What do all Christians believe is God’s greatest gift to a married couple?
Having children - gods will that children are born into a marriage
What is the nature of marriage?
It is a sacrament in some religions - very important
It is an important commitment
When two people stay faithful to each other
Marriage is a gift of god
It is a union between two heterosexual pekoe Of opposite genders.
What is the purpose of marriage?
Procreation
Allow couple to express their love and care for each other
Sex only belongs in marriage (this could make Christians hurry getting married just to have sex and lose the faithfulness and love side)
Foundation of society
Purpose of marriage symbolises the relationship between God and the church (woman - Church husband - God)
What are some reason for cohabitation?
To see if a relationship can work
Raise children in a loving partnership as divorce can be messy and affects the kids greatly
Divorce is expensive
What are some reasons against cohabitation?
Sex should only take place within marriage
May move too quickly in the relationship
Children won’t be brought up in a secure relationship
What are some reasons against divorce?
Because (especially Catholics) see marriage as a sacrament meaning it is a gift from God and Jesus taught that you should not separate what God has brought together.
Why do Catholics disapprove of remarrying?
Do not view the last marriage as ended so they class it as adultery They’d have to get an annulment and legal documents
What are some reasons for divorce?
If someone’s spouse committed adultery on them
Abused them
Deserted them
Jesus appeared to accept divorce in the case of unfaithfulness
God forgives all so he can forgive divorce
What are some reasons for remarriage?
Divorce person falls in love again
Divorced person desires a sexual relationship (more fulfilling one) or more children and need to marry a new partner for this
Marrying a new partner may provide security for the existing children
Some Christians accept remarriage as long as they are fully committed and genuine about this new marriage, and Jesus taught to forgive.
What is the sanctity of wedding vows?
Marriage vows are sacred and are a promise to God, so by breaking these (getting a divorce) it is a sin as you are breaking something holy that God doesn’t want breaking
Why do people disagree with divorce for practical reasons?
May end up in a worse financial situation
Affect any existing children dramatically
Breaking promises to God which makes you unhappy
What is divorce?
The legal ending of an marriage (allowed after a year of marriage)
What do Roman Catholics believe about divorce?
Wrong as marriage is a sacrament with God that cannot be broken (when you get married 2 become 1)
Says in the bible that divorcing then remarrying is committing adultery
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery”
What do Church of England believe about divorces?
Jesus said “Divorce is worst except for marital unfaithfulness”
Allow divorce in cases of unfaithfulness
People make mistakes and relationships break down
It’s a sin but can be the lesser of two evils e.g. abusive relationship
Could be happier after divorce
What do Quakers and Methodists believe about divorce?
All accept divorce
What is an annulment?
When a Catholic Church rules that a marriage was never valid
When are you allowed an annulment?
If you didn’t understand what you were doing
You were forced into the marriage
You haven’t had sex together
You or your partner haven’t been baptised
What will some Christians do when couples are having problems in their relationship?
Offer support through counselling, prayer and sacraments.
They believe that Christians should try and bring reconciliation and forgiveness back to a marriage that has broken down.
Christians in local communities will try and support the couple through a difficult time
What do Muslims believe about divorce?
It is allowed as a last resort but is believe to be hateful to Allah
The qur’an guarantees the rights of both the man and woman after/to divorce
But first they should try and reconcile their differences
What happens in terms of a religious divorce?
Man must declare it to his wife verbally or in writing
They then live together and cannot have sex for 3 months
This gives them time to reconsider and see if the woman is pregnant
If she is, they must wait until after the baby is born to issue the divorce
What is a nuclear family?
Mother, Father and children
What is an extended family?
Family extending among parents and children e.g. grandparents
What is the role of a parent?
Love, care and raise their children
Religious parents are expected to raise their children within their faith
Make sure their children grow up with good values e.g. respect and compassion
Is family important to Christians?
It is valued very highly , yes.
What is polygamy and bigamy?
Polygamy: Having more than one wife
Bigamy: marrying someone while already married
What is a quote about the role of husbands?
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”
What is a quote about the role of children?
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
What is gender prejudice?
Unfairly judging an individual or group based on their gender
What is sexual stereotyping?
Having a fixed general idea/image of how men and women should behave
What is gender discrimination?
Acting against someone on the basis of their gender
How were roles of men and women like in the past?
Men had positions of power in society and had control and more rights than women
Women were not allowed to divorce or vote
Had to do exactly what their husbands/fathers wanted
What made it illegal to gender discriminate?
The Sex Discrimination Act (1975)
How does gender discrimination still occur in modern society?
On average, women are paid less then men (sometimes doing same job)
Women make up half of the workplace but men hold a higher proportion of senior positions
What do Christians believe about men and women?
All people have been created equal in God’s image
How did Jesus treat women?
With respect, welcomed them as disciples and showed that women were capable of other things, other than domestic tasks
But what do some traditional Christians believe in opposition ?
Some traditional Christians believe that men are the head of the family and that women should stay at home and care for the children
Eve made Adam sin
How do most Christians today view roles of men and women?
Marriage is an equal partnership where the different gifts of each person (male + female) strengthen family life
