Relationships And Families

Question 1

Define the term human sexuality:

Answer 1

Refers to how people express themselves as sexual beings. The age of consent in the UK is 16.

Question 2

What is the difference between heterosexuality and homosexuality?

Answer 2

Heterosexual: Relationships between members of the opposite sex. Christians and Muslims regard this as natural and part of Gods plan.

Homosexual: relationships between members of the same sex. Some Christians and most Muslims believe this is against Gods will.

Question 3

Christian view on heterosexual relationships:

Answer 3

-marriage is the only valid place for heterosexual relationships because it’s part of God’s plan for humans.
-Christian views about sex before marriage vary but all are against unfaithfulness.
“a man… is united to his wife, and they become one in flesh.”

Question 4

Muslim view on heterosexual relationships:

Answer 4

-heterosexuality is normal behaviour; Muslims are expected to marry and have a family.
-the only permitted form of a sexual relationship is between a husband and wife.
“Marry those who are single among you God will develop their moral traits through marriage.”

Question 5

Christian view on homosexual relationships:

Answer 5

• some oppose homosexuality because the the religious books says “men who have sex with men will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
• the Catholic Church teaches that homosexuals are not sinful but should not have sex o avoid sinful acts.
• more liberal chieftains except homosexual relationships that are loving and committed.

Question 6

Islamic view on homosexual relationships:

Answer 6

-the Qur’an and Hadith teach that homosexuality is against God’s will and is forbidden.
“Must you…lust after males and abandon the wives that God created for you? You are exceeding all bounds.” Qur’an.
-they believe homosexual relationships are against the natural law as they cannot prince children, therefore are not what God intended.
-some Muslims are more accepting and agree with liberal Christians.

Question 7

Christian views on sex before marriage:

Answer 7

-for many Christians sex expresses a deep life long union that requires the commitment of marriage.
“…whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you know your bodies of the Holy Spirit…”
-some liberal Christians think sex before marriage can be a valid expression of love for each other. Marriage not necessary needed.

Question 8

Islamic views on sex before marriage:

Answer 8

-Muslims believe sex is a gift from God that must be managed responsibly with marriage. The Qur’an forbids sex before marriage under the Shari’ah law sex before marriage is considered a serious sin, like adulatory or rape.
“…only a man and his wife share the act of sex.”

Question 9

Christin views on sex outside of marriage:

Answer 9

-adultery breaks vows Christian couples make before God.
-it is against one of the Ten Commandments:
“You shall not commit adultery.”
-it is against Jesus’ teaching that lust, which could lead to adultery is wrong. “Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully had already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus forgave a woman caught in adulatory but ordered her to leave her life of sin.

Question 10

Muslim views on sex outside of marriage:

Answer 10

-Muslims should avoid situations that could lead to sexual sins.
“A man should not stay with a woman in seclusion.”

-the Qur’an forbids adultery.
“And do not go anywhere near adultery: it is an outrage, and an evil path.”

Question 11

What is contraception?

Answer 11

A method used to prevent pregnancy. There are 3 types:

• artificial (e.g condoms, the pill).
• natural (e.g the rhythm method).
• permanent (e.g sterilisation).

Question 12

Christian attitudes for contraception and family planning:

Answer 12

Anglican and non-conformists.
-people should have as many children as they want.
-allow contraception to enable couples to develop their relationship first. Space out pregnancies to avoid harming mothers health.
Thus prefer non-abortive forms of contraception.

Question 13

Christian attitudes against contraception and family planning:

Answer 13

Catholic and orthodox.
-artificial contraception goes against natural laws. The purpose of sex (having children and expressing love) should not be separated.
“Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life.”

They favour the rhythm method of contraception. (Avoiding sex at fertile times of the month).

Question 14

Islamic view for contraception and family planning:

Answer 14

-no direct teaching in the Qur’an but they believe God does not want to make life difficult for people so would accept contraception:
“God wishes to lighten your burden; man was created weak.”
Muslims accept birth control in appropriate circumstances, if wife can’t handle pregnancy as long as it does not cause an abortion.

Question 15

Islamic view against the use of contraception:

Answer 15

-some Muslims think contraception goes against Gods will. God gives people strength to cope with children.
“Do not kill your children for fear of poverty - we shall provide for them and for you - killing them is a great sin.” Qur’an. Some Muslims believe this applies to contraception too.

Question 16

Define the term civil partnership:

Answer 16

A legal union of same-sex couples. (2004).

Question 17

Define the term cohabitation:

Answer 17

Refers to couples that live together and have sex but are not married.

Question 18

What do Christians believe about the nature and purpose marriage?

Answer 18

• marriage is a gift from God, part of the natural law.
• it is a sacrament/life long union blessed by God that reflect sacrificial love of Jesus.
• “that is why a man leaves his father and mother and is u tied to his wife, and they become one is flesh.”
• spiritual bond of trust that reflects the love of Christ for the church.

Question 19

What do Muslims believe about the nature and purpose marriage?

Answer 19

-marriage is faithful, lifelong commitment, intended by God for sharing of love and companionship.
-social contact that brings 2 families together, impacting the whole community.
“There is no institution in Islam more beloved and dearer to God than marriage.” Hadith.

Question 20

What are the requirements for a Muslim marriage?

Answer 20

In Islam marriages can be arranged but young people have the right to refuse. Forced marriages are not allowed.
“If a man gives his daughter in marriage while she is averse to it then such marriage is averse.”
-a Muslim woman man marry a Muslim man but a Muslim man can marry a Muslim, Christian, Jew (etc).

Question 21

What are the contrasting views on cohabitation and same sec marriage in Christianity and Islam?

Answer 21

-catholic, orthodox (and Muslims) oppose cohabitation as they believe sex should only take place within marriage.
-Protestant and Anglican churches accept it all though they believe marriage is best.
Islam forbids homosexual relationships. Many Muslims opposed the law that made same-sex marriages legal. Some Christians opposed this too.

Question 22

What is an annulment?

Answer 22

A Catholic Church ruling that a marriage was never valid.

Question 23

What did Jesus teach about divorcing and re-marrying?

Answer 23

He claimed this was committing adultery. “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adulatory against her.” Goes on to say vice versa.
Vows made in the presence of God must be kept.

Question 24

Why might the Christian Church allow a married couple to separate or divorce?

Answer 24

• Catholic can be separated but not remarry.
• they can get an annulment if the marriage was never true.
• sometimes divorce is the lesser of the 2 evils. They think the church should reflect Gods forgiveness and allow couples a second chance for happiness.
• Protestant and orthodox churches allow divorce and remarriage in church as long as couples take their vows seriously.

Question 25

What does the Qur’an teach about divorce and re-marriage?

Answer 25

-it encourages the couple to try to reconcile their differences.
-the Qur’an guarantees rights of both men and women to divorce but divorce is “hateful to Allah.” (Hadith).
-for a religious divorce the husband must declare it to his wife verbally or in writing, followed by a 3 month waiting period to see if she’s pregnant.
“…when any of you intend to divorce women, do so when their prescribed waiting period can properly start…”

Question 26

What are some of the different types of families?

Answer 26

• nuclear families (a couple and their children).
• step family (formed on a remarriage of a divorced or widowed persons that includes child(ren).
• extended family (includes grandparents/other relatives beyond just parents and children).
• same sex parents (people of the same sex raising children together).

Question 27

What do Christians believe about the nature of families?

Answer 27

• in biblical times people lived in extended families through which the religion, customs and traditions were passed on the next generation.
• Christians must ‘love one another’ a child must learn to love.
• the Commandment ‘Honour your mother and farther’ is important even when parents are elderly and need support.

Question 28

What do Muslims believe about the nature of families?

Answer 28

• the extended family is the basis of Islamic society, part if Gods plan for humanity. The family shapes the moral values and character of children.
• Muslims care for elderly parents with kindness and respect because they did the same for them when they were young.

Question 29

What is polygamy?

Answer 29

The custom having more than wife at a time.

Question 30

What do different religions believe about polygamy?

Answer 30

-Islam allows polygamy with the consent of the first wife but only if the husband is able to support, love and treat both wives equally.

It cannot be preformed in England because of bigamy (it is illegal to marry another when already married).

Question 31

What are the Christian beliefs about the purpose of family?

Answer 31

-family provides stability because it is where people learn to live as part of a community: parents teach children right from wrong.
-Christians believe God reveals himself as Father, with Jesus as his Son and humankind as his children so the idea of family is very important.
“Husband love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.”

Question 32

What is the Christian belief about children and family?

Answer 32

• parents and children have responsibilities to each other. Children should love, obey and respect the care they provide.
• children are gifts from God so parents must respect their dignity.
• Christian parents are expected to be good role models and teach children their faith and teach them moral values.

Question 33

Quotes that show Christian beliefs about their families?

Answer 33

• “Listen to your father who gave you life…”

- “fathers do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

Question 34

What is the Muslim belief about children and family?

Answer 34

• Christian have a duty to respect their parents even in adulthood. The Qur’an teaches to be disrespectful to your parents is a great sin.
• children are blessings from God.
• parents have a duty to provide a stable environment and raise their children to be good Muslims.

Question 35

Quotes that show Muslim beliefs about their families?

Answer 35

• “Honour your children and perfect their manners.”

- “lower your wing in humility towards your parents.”

Question 36

What do Christians believe about gender equality?

Answer 36

• all people are created equal in Gods image.
• Jesus respected women, welcoming them as disciples and showed they were capable of more than just domestic work.
• “love the neighbour” shows gender discrimination is wrong.

Question 37

What do Muslims believe about gender equality?

Answer 37

• God created all people equal from a single soul with the spiritual human nature.
• Muhammad worked to unite tribes in Madinah into one community, with equality and justice for all.
• men and women have the same religious and moral responsibilities and will be rewarded by God.