Relationships- thematic studies Flashcards
Purpose of marriage for Christians
- God’s intention for us all to be “one flesh”
-Lifelong
-Proper place for a mutually respectful sexual relationship - God’s gift to create Adam and Eve as married pair
Cohabitation + Christianity
- people see it as a trial marriage
- others choose to never marry
- Orthodox + Catholic view it as a sin: sexual immorality as you are living intimately with partner
Purpose of marriage in Buddhism
- Marriage is not a religious duty or act.
- More secular, not important
- Having children is not viewed as important purpose of marriage
- Everything is interrelated and interdependent. Strong trusting relationships are important for wellbeing of community and society as a whole.
- Buddhists are not expected to feel any religious obligation or pressure to have children.
Sex before and outside marriage (Buddhism)
- Not forbidden in Buddhism
- Most important thing is to live by five moral precepts, make sure sexual acts are kind and respectful
- Most Buddhists would regard adultery as unskilful as it involves dishonesty, which does not show kindness towards feeling of person being cheated on
- Choice to wait till marriage is personal reason, influenced by local customs and traditions
Christianity on divorce (for):
- Our duty is to care for people and not let them suffer in negative surroundings
- Forgiveness is a large part of Christianity. It is not our place to condemn and judge others
- Best place for Children is a loving, happy situation, quality of relationship is crucial
Christianity on divorce (against):
- Christians see marriage as a gift from God, meaning divorcing is not appreciating his gift
- God believes people should not be alone “it is not good that man should be alone”
- Marriage is a lifelong commitment
- Marriage is specifically believed to have children, other issues cannot outweigh original importance
- Legal piece of paper cannot break a religious marriage (witnessed and approved by God)
- Divorce ruins families- children need two parents
- You must not always divorce. Just be separate and live apar.
- God designed Adam and Eve as married pair
- Jesus’ sermon on the mount laid down strict rules that divorce should not happen.
Annulment
Declaration that marriage was not true in the first place and was never valid
Remarriage in Church of England
- If a couple wish to get remarried, they have to ask the priest if they can use their church.
Two things considered before allowing remarriage
- Reason why they broke up
- Their idea of marriage
Divorce views Buddhism:
- No law stating husband cannot be separated if they cannot live together
- More common to get married later in life, when more mature and certain about needs in relationship
- Traditionally not approved of by society, so couples put more effort tyring to mend relationships.
- Only considered when no longer possible to reconcile relationship.
- Best way to go about it is sensibly and sensitively
- Clinging to attachment which produces suffering goes against Buddha’s teachings.
Homosexuality quote against Christianity
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination.”
“all other frenzies of lusts which exceeds laws of nature…we banish”
Buddhist perspective on Human sexuality
- Sex is not inherently wrong, shameful but a human drive
- Should be approached ethically to ensure we avoid acting out purely out of craving
- No teaching against homosexuality
In all human sexuality, what matters is quality of relationship. Consent + respect shows karuna and metta.
Why would liberal Christians support same sex marriages on religious grounds:
- Probably follow bible liberally, meaning part of the bible should be inferred.
- Liberal Christians believe in agape and God as omnibenevolent, he would never punish humans for natural feelings.
- Would never encourage prejudice against gay people as that shows hate. Not how God would behave.
Christian view on homosexuality
“be fruitful”
- Adam and Eve
Catholic and Orthodox perspective on Sex
- every time couple have sex, possibility of having children
- homosexual couples must remain celibate, showing “right qualities” of a couple
- Sex’s purpose is to populate the earth
Church of England on sex
- Physical expression of love shared within marriage
- Cohabitating couples are just as committed, making steps towards marriage
- Homosexual should be faithful + committed, but penetrative sex is outlawed in Bible.
Sexual acts always seen as immoral
- Promiscuity
- Adultery
- Sexual sin
Contraception
Act of preventing pregnancy from occurring
Religious belief in favour of contraception
- God is “omnibenevolent”, if pregnancy is life threatening/ will cause harm, contraception is allowed
- Family planning
- God wants us to be responsible parents who raise children properly
- Some situations may mean it is more compassionate to not have children
- Having children is not a religious duty in Buddhism
Non religious belief in favour of contraception
- To prevent diseases from spreading
- Protects wellbeing and safety
- Financial issues, job, time
- Develop relationships safely.
- Allows people to be responsible in family, parents are emotionally and financially planning to bring child into world.
Religious belief against contraception
- Ideally you should not have sex before marriage
- Intention of sex is to have children, should never be used for anything else
- Contraception might be seen as “murder”
- Against bible teaching “be fruitful”
- No need as believers should be restrained and in control of sexual urges.
Non religious beliefs against contraception
- Contraception could be argued to promote sex, leading to “sleeping around”
- Leads to people devaluing the importance of sex
Nature of family Christianity
- Greatest commandment is love
- Love is learnt through family, Christians place high regard on family
- Some Christians disapprove of same sex as they believe children need to be raised by both mother and father.
- Others may believe values and security of family is more important than make up of family
Christian quote on family
“Honour your father and mother”
“Children obey your parents in everything”
Nature of families in Buddhism
- Procreation and marriage are personal choices
- Culturally influenced by country Buddhists are in
- Buddha taught that family should be based on love and respect
- Family should not cause suffering
Purpose of religious family
- Procreation
- Stability for each other and society
- Respect and care
-protection - Educate children in good morals
Gender equality Christianity quotes against
“wives be submissive to your husbands”
“the women should keep silent in church”
Gender equality Christian view
- “All human being are created alike in the image of God. She is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life”
“Men and women rely on each other. God made them equal partners in life”
Gender equality in Buddhism
- women were low in society at the time, lives being restricted, no education as place was at home
- Teachings are inconsistent, all have potential to enlightenment but initially refused to ordain women as nuns.
- Although gender equality exists and is preached, it is still less regarded in more conservative traditions and countries.
Anatta linked to gender equality
- Idea that people do not have fixed permanent soul. Shows our physical body is insignificant in gaining enlightenment. Action is more important than looks.
Archbishop quote on cohabitation
“test the milk before they buy the cow”
Same sex marriages in Buddhism
- Currently illegal in Asia
-Buddhist teachings are not against same sex marriage - In places such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, there have been recent challenged o the law, to promote view that right to marriage should be equally available for hetero/homo sexuals.