Relationships and family Flashcards
What is the role of a Christian family?
To reflect the family of God
To contribute to a stable society
What is the purpose of a Christian family?
Procreation
Raise children in the Christian faith
Educate children
Fulfill the natural desire to have children
To provide security, love and support for all family members
What is the importance of a Christian marriage?
It’s a sacrament for Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians
It’s a commitment to fidelity (being faithful and not having a sexual relationship with someone else)
Helps maintain a stable society
Was given by God
What are the purposes of a Christian marriage?
Procreation and raising a family
To have a sexual relationship
To show one’s spouse love, friendship and support
To symbolise the relationship between Jesus and the church
Why would Christians oppose a same-sex marriage?
Most Christians are against it
Church of England believe that a purpose of marriage is procreation, and a same-sex marriage can’t result in this.
Roman Catholics are against it as it opposes the natural law.
Leviticus 18:22, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination.”
Why would Christians support same-sex marriage?
Some Christians feel old testament teachings are outdated
Jesus taught that love was the most important thing, and treated marginalised people the same
Jesus taught people to love others
Certain more liberal Christians like quakers are in support of it
What are the arguments for divorce and remarriage?
Jesus allowed divorce for adultery
God forgives sins and mistakes
More compassionate to allow people to end an unhappy marriage
If a church accepts divorce it normally accepts remarriage
What are the arguments against divorce?
Some Christians believe marriage is a sacrament or at least an important commitment to one’s spouse and God, so it shouldn’t be broken.
Corinthians 7:10 “A wife must not separate from her husband”
Catholic church doesn’t allow divorce and doesn’t remarry divorcees.
What are Christian opinions on contraception?
Many Christians accept it as there is nothing foreboding it in the Bible.
However, Christian Church only approves of sexual relationships which are open to the possibility of new life.
What do Christians believe about male and female roles in marriage?
Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox believe that the marriage relationship is complementary, with each spouse fulfilling a different role.
Colossians 3:18-19 “Wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
Liberal protestants don’t believe each spouse should have a different role because Bible teachings are outdated, Bible teaches that men and women are equal in God’s sight and are made in his image.
What responsibility do Christians have surrounding children?
Taking them to Church/Sunday school
Baptising them
Introducing them to the Christian faith at home by reading the Bible, praying with them, setting a good example.
What are the roles of women in Christian communities?
Being a mother
They can be a priest in the Anglican Church
Bringing up their children in the Christian faith
Procreation
What are Christian attitudes towards pre-marital sex?
They believe that sexual intercourse should only happen in marriage, so are against it.
Book of Genesis “Thou shalt not have sex before marriage.”
Roman Catholic Church sees sex as primarily for reproduction, and believes that children should be brought up in a committed Christian marriage, and this is impossible with pre-marital sex
How do Christian teachings support beliefs about gender discrimination?
St Augustine decried Eve as weak, this is because she was the one who ate the fruit from the tree when she was told not to
Adam was made first and Eve was made second, and Eve was made using Adam’s ribs, which some Christians take to mean that Adam is superior to Eve, so men are superior to women.
In wedding vows, a woman is made to make the vow to obey the man.
Roman Catholic tradition, women aren’t allowed to become priests.
Eastern Orthodox tradition, women aren’t allowed to show hair and must stay quiet in the Church.
