Relationships And Families

Question 1

Which type of family is a couple with children?

Answer 1

. Nuclear Family

Question 2

What are the religious teachings about gender discrimination?

Answer 2

. Historical interpretations of religious teachings have led to men taking the lead in many aspects of religion e.g. leading worship
. Traditionally believers would argue that male leadership is scriptural, so it is not discriminatory.
. Discrimination challenged e.g. more women become ministers and bishops in some sections of Christianity (CofE).
.

Question 3

Religious beliefs about unmarried couples living together (cohabitation):

Answer 3

Buddhism:
. Do not condemn cohabitation
. Sees sex as part of a loving caring relationship, therefore a good thing
. Sex is based on lust = craving = bad karma

Christianity:
. Sex should be reserved for marriage so cohabitation is wrong and leads to immorality
. Some see cohabitation as acceptable if couples are in a loving relationship + intending to marry but perhaps are unable to afford it
. Others view cohabitation as acceptable if e.g. couple were homosexual and were unable to have a religious marriage ceremony.

Question 4

What are the purpose of families?

Answer 4

. Main purpose of families = provide stability for family members and society
. Protect children, supplying their basic needs and keeping them safe
. Place to educate children in a faith
. Place for companionship and mutual love between the adults who cannot or choose not to be parents.

Buddhism:
. Husbands and wives expected to respect + honour each other and develop love/trust and remain faithful
. ‘To support one’s father and mother, to care for one’s wife and children and to have a peaceful occupation, this is the highest blessing’ (Dhammapada 313).

Christianity:
. Meaning there should be love and respect between couples.
. Children have a duty to obey, love and respect their parents
. ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12)
. Children are gifts from God so parents should respect their dignity

Question 5

What are the attitudes towards homosexual relationships? - intro

Answer 5

. Homosexuality as against natural law and cannot be explained away
But
. Law in the UK recognises same sex marriages so religious believers should not be so critical.

Question 6

What are the attitudes towards homosexual relationships? - paragraph 1

Answer 6

. Support
. Many homosexual relationships exhibit the characteristics found in good stable marriages, love, care, trust, faithfulness etc.
. Modern day homosexual relationships are very different from those in the past and the type of homosexuality condemned in some sacred writings

. Buddhism: not condemned provided it is part of a loving + committed relationship, not lust-based or one-night stand.

. Seen as wrong by some Christians though attitudes are changing
. Some branches e.g. Quakers accept homosexuality
. Others question the traditional application of the teachings on homosexuality because God created humans, ‘and it was very good’ (Genesis 2) regardless of their sexuality.
. God recognises ‘it is not good for man to be alone’ (Genesis 2).
. Some Christians distinguish between homosexual orientation and practice regarding only the latter as sinful.

Question 7

What are the attitudes towards homosexual relationships? - paragraph 2

Answer 7

. Do not support
. Some teachings condemns homosexuality and it cannot be explained away just because it is old and inconvenient.
. Religious teaching are focused on the continuation of the family and tribe, hence the focus on heterosexuality and condemnation of homosexuality.

Christianity:
. If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death - Leviticus
. Point of relationships is to have children, cannot occur naturally in a homosexual relationship - procreation in book of genesis
. Sexuality is a choice made by the individual, to be homosexual is to make the wrong choice.

Buddhism:
. The sex drive needs to be controlled as ‘craving’ can only lead to suffering, ‘dukkha’ (Third Precept).

Question 8

What are the attitudes towards homosexual relationships? - conclusion

Answer 8

. Support
. ‘God is love’ so surely if any couple love each other that has to come from God
. Nothing created by God can be wrong