S2 Chapter 1 - Personal and Family Issues

Question 1

Evaluation Question
“Roman Catholic priests should be allowed to get married.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. (5 marks)

Answer 1

Answers may include:

There is a decline in the number of young men who want to become priests; they may be deterred by the commitment of celibacy.

Being married would give priests better experience of the difficulties of marriage and family life.

Protestant churches allow clergy to marry and they are still respected.

One the other hand:

To be a priest is a very special calling from God; being celibate sets a priest apart from the rest of the community.

Being celibate shows that a priest is really committed to the priesthood.

A celibate priest is able to devote more of his time and energy to his parish; he does not have the divided loyalties of his wife and family.

Question 2

Evaluation Question
“If a couple has a strong Christian faith their marriage is less likely to fail.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (10 marks)

Answer 2

Answers may include:

Those with a strong religious faith are more likely to have shared beliefs and values.

They will take biblical teachings on the permanency of marriage more seriously; marriage is a commitment and the couple should stay together no matter what happens; Jesus spoke against divorce (Matthew 5:32).

They have the support of the Christian community if their marriage is in difficulties, e.g. prayer, support, financial support.

Many churches encourage attendance at marriage preparation classes to ensure that potential problems might be discovered before getting married.

On the other hand:

A marriage can fail for many different reasons and there is no guarantee that a strong Christian faith will help a couple stay together.

There is a growing acceptance and desensitization of the act of divorce, (normalisation) even among Christians.

Nowadays many churches recognise that an unhappy marriage should end; some will allow divorcees to remarry in church.

Question 3

Describe how divorce can affect all members of the family. (5 marks)

Answer 3

• The couple themselves - one or both may experience depression, financial insecurity, awkwardness with shared friends or limited contact with their children
• The children - loss of contact with a parent, less money in the family, a lone parent who has to work longer hours, possible separation from a sibling, feelings of guilt
• The grandparents - feelings of resentment towards former son/daughter in law, possible separation from grandchildren, blaming themselves for not doing more to help
• Some may focus on more positive aspects of divorce, referring to situations where family members were suffering prior to the divorce.

Question 4

What is a sexual relationship?

Answer 4

A sexual relationship is one where two people who are best friends (usually a man and a woman) agree (consent) to have sex on a regular basis.

Question 5

When was the age of homosexual consent in Northern Ireland lowered to 16?

Answer 5

2009

Question 6

What are some of the Christian viewpoints on homosexuality?

Answer 6

Christian viewpoints on homosexuality vary from outright condemnation to complete acceptance.

Christians who totally condemn homosexuality point to Paul’s writings in the New Testament. “Surely you know that the wicked will not possess God’s Kingdom. Do not fool yourself; people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or homosexual perverts…” 1 Corinthians 6:9

Other Christians are more sympathetic and claim that this applies only to a homosexual ‘act’ and not the ‘condition’ of being homosexual. They argue that as long as a person with homosexual tendencies does not act on their feelings then they are not condemned. At the other extreme are people who believe it is all right to be a practicing homosexual and a Christian. This view is supported by groups such as The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement and the Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians.

Question 7

What do the rings exchanged during the wedding ceremony symbolise?

Answer 7

The rings are exchanged as a symbol of the promise of unending love and the exclusive commitment which each partner is making.

Question 8

What is a marriage?

Answer 8

A marriage is a legal union between a man and a woman.

Question 9

What is a Christian marriage?

Answer 9

A Christian marriage is a legal union between a man and woman, who come together and promise to live together in a lifelong, permanent, exclusive relationship.

Question 10

What is a civil partnership?

Answer 10

A legally recognised civil union of a same-sex couple, with rights similar to those of marriage.

Question 11

What is the purpose of a Christian marriage?

Answer 11

Companionship

Reproduction

Question 12

What problems and common pressures do marriages face?

Answer 12

Arguments
Adultery
A mixed/inter-church marriage facing difficulties
Depression
Homosexuality
Sexual problems
Domestic violence
Health problems
Lack of communication
Infertility
Children
Child abuse
Bereavement
False hopes
Alcohol or drug abuse
Coping with elderly parents
Loss of a job
Money problems

Question 13

What is divorce?

Answer 13

Divorce is a civil procedure which legally recognises that there is no longer a marriage between a couple.

Question 14

What does the Bible say about divorce?

Answer 14

Jesus said: “Man must not separate, then, what God has joined together.”

Question 15

Unit 8 2015 - Section A

3a) Outline Christian teaching on marriage. [5]

Answer 15

Answers may include:
• Marriage is sacred and ordained by God; Jesus taught ‘The two will become one’ (Mark 10:8) repeating God’s words from Genesis.

• Marriage is a commitment and the couple should stay together no matter what happens; Jesus spoke against divorce (Matthew 5:32).
• Marriage should be permanent and last a lifetime; Jesus taught ‘Man must not separate, then, what God has joined together.’ (Mark 10:9).

• Paul taught that wives are to submit to their husbands, who are to love their wives as much as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:22-25).
Accept valid alternatives

Question 16

Unit 8 2015 - Section A

3b) Explain some of the difficulties a couple might face in their marriage. [5]

Answer 16

Answers may include:
• Pressures of modern living - these might include debt, depression, unemployment.
• Health problems, infertility and sexual problems could be difficulties a couple might have to face.
• Adultery; lack of commitment to the marriage from one or both partners.
• Alcohol and drug abuse; gambling.
• Domestic violence.
• Having to cope with a traumatic situation, such as illness or the death of a child.
Accept valid alternatives

Question 17

Unit 8 2015 - Section A
3c) “Marriage is the best way to show commitment to your partner.”
Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. [5]

Answer 17

Answers may include:
• Biblical and church teachings emphasise that a sexual relationship should not take place until a couple are married. ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they became one.’ (Genesis 2:24).

• The Bible also teaches that a married couple are to remain faithful to each other ‘Do not commit adultery’ (Exodus 20:14).
• A sexual relationship needs a deep level of understanding and commitment between a couple and this can only come from marriage.
• Pre-marital sex can lead to many problems for the individual and society, such as an increase in STIs, unwanted pregnancy and an increase in the abortion rate.

On the other hand:
• Many people nowadays choose not to get married, but to live together as man and wife; they do not need a wedding ceremony to have a committed relationship.

• Nowadays many people delay marriage to pursue their career and may have a number of close relationships before finally marrying.

• Some couples choose to live together as a ‘trial marriage’ before making a final commitment.
Accept valid alternatives

Question 18

Unit 8 2012 - Section A
4b) “A sexual relationship should only take place between a husband and wife.”
Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered different points of view. [10]

Answer 18

Answers may include:
• Biblical and church teaching emphasises that a sexual relationship should not take place until a couple are married.
• The Bible also teaches that a married couple are to remain faithful to each other “Do not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).
• Pre-marital sex can lead to many problems for the individual and society, such as an increase in STIs, unwanted pregnancy and an increase in the abortion rate.
• A sexual relationship needs a deep level of understanding and commitment between a couple and this can only come from marriage.

On the other hand:
• Many people nowadays choose not to get married, but to live together as man and wife; they do not need a wedding ceremony to have a committed relationship.
• Nowadays many people delay marriage to pursue their career and may have a number of close relationships before finally marrying.
• Some couples choose to live together as a ‘trial marriage’ before making a final commitment.
• Nowadays, it is more common for couples of the same sex to live together and they have a sexual relationship without being husband and wife.
Accept valid alternatives

Question 19

Unit 8 2011 - Section A

1b) Explain why a Christian couple would decide not to have sex until they are married. [5]

Answer 19

Answers may include:
• The Bible teaches that sex should take place within marriage - (Genesis 2:24).
• Waiting until marriage for sex avoids the risk of an unwanted pregnancy or STI.
• People can become emotionally hurt by having sex in a relationship which is not a life-long commitment.
Accept valid alternatives