Religion, Philosophy and Ethics in the Modern World - a Christian Perspective

Question 1

What is the point of marriage?

Answer 1

A man and a woman can become ‘one flesh’

Question 2

What is marriage?

Answer 2

A civil and religious commitment for Christians. It is considered a sacrament in which a baptised man and woman vow to belong to each other in a permanent, exclusive, sexual partnership of loving, mutual care, concern and shared responsibility in the hope of having children and bringing up a family.

Question 3

What percentage of marriages end in divorce?

Answer 3

42%

Question 4

What are some reasons for divorce?

Answer 4

Different goals
Financial difficulties
'Fallen out of love'
Disability
Adultery
Domestic violence

Question 5

What do most Christians believe about divorce?

Answer 5

Christian teachings, the marriage ceremony, and vows all show Christians that marriage is intended to be a relationship for life. Marriage is a holy relationship and the vows a couple make are made in front of God and should never be broken.
The ring symbolises that love is unending. Jesus taught that marriage is for life.
There are negative psychological impacts in a divorce.

Question 6

What is the Roman Catholic view on divorce?

Answer 6

Divorce is wrong.
Resolution - the Church will give the couple support
Separation - couple are allowed to live apart
Adultery - having a relationship with anyone else is wrong
Annulment - the Church sometimes allows annulment in special cases

Question 7

What is the Church of England view on divorce?

Answer 7

Divorce is better avoided, but sometimes acceptable.
Marriage is for life, but things may not always work out.
The priest will help a couple resolve difficulties.
They accept divorce may be the lesser of two evils as it ends pain.

Question 8

What are other liberal Christian views on divorce?

Answer 8

Jesus taught the importance of forgiveness if someone has made a mistake. Divorce is accepted.

Question 9

What is homosexuality?

Answer 9

When two people of the same gender love each other

Question 10

What are some dates on homosexuality in the UK?

Answer 10

Decriminalised in 1967
Civil partnerships legalised in 2005
Marriage legalised in 2014

Question 11

What is the Catholic Church view on homosexuality?

Answer 11

Being homosexual is not a sin
Homosexual relationships are a sin; homosexuals should be celibate
The sacraments will help them do this
Homophobia is condemned

Question 12

Why do Catholics have their view on homosexuality?

Answer 12

The Bible condemns it
Sex should be creative as well as unitive
People cannot help their sexual orientation but they can control their sexual behaviour

Question 13

What is the conservative Evangelical view on homosexuality?

Answer 13

Traditionally, homosexuality is a sin - there should be no homosexual Christians
Prayer can give homosexuals the power of the Holy Spirit to change their sexual preference

Question 14

Why do evangelicals have their view on homosexuality?

Answer 14

The Bible condemns homosexuality
The salvation of Christ can remove all sins, including homosexuality
All churches have taught this, even ones that now say it is acceptable

Question 15

What is the liberal Protestant view on homosexuality?

Answer 15

Lifelong homosexual relationships are acceptable
Homosexuals are welcomed into the Church - love and acceptance
Homosexual relationships are not equal to Christian marriage
Ministers/ priests should not take part in homosexual sex
Some churches bless civil partnerships

Question 16

What is the Quaker view on homosexuality?

Answer 16

All people are equal in God’s eyes

Most Quakers fully support same sex marriage

Question 17

What are extremist Christian views on homosexuality?

Answer 17

The Westboro Baptist Church, USA, is a small family-run church
It is based on anti-homosexual theology
It incites violence against homosexuals. Its members disrupt gay rights events
Christians of all denominations condemn them

Question 18

What was the Civil Rights Act (USA)?

Answer 18

It made racial discrimination in public places illegal. It required employers to provide equal employment opportunities. Projects involving federal funds could be cut off if discrimination was found

Question 19

Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?

Answer 19

A Baptist minister who used non-violent means to work for equal treatment of blacks:
Peaceful protests
Bus boycott
Sit-ins
March on Washington

Question 20

Why are people racist today?

Answer 20

Desensitised
Ignorance
History
Experiences
Media
Upbringing

Question 21

What are key dates for women’s rights?

Answer 21

Divorce Reform Act - 1969 - made divorce easier to obtain
Equal Pay Act - 1970 - women had to be paid the same as men for the same job
Sex Discrimination Act - 1975 - women have an equal right to work

Question 22

What are key dates for women in the Church?

Answer 22

Church of England first appointed a female vicar in 1994
First female bishop appointed in 2015
Roman Catholic Church does not allow women to take any ordained roles

Question 23

What is the traditionalist view of women?

Answer 23

Men are superior to women, so women should not have roles of authority in the Church. Men should be the breadwinner in the hime

Question 24

What is the egalitarian view of women?

Answer 24

Men and women are completely equal so both can have roles of authority

Question 25

What is the complementarian view of women?

Answer 25

Men and women have equal value but have different roles; men should be teachers and leaders in the Church, not women