THE PERSONAL AND FAMILY ISSUES

Question 1

Vows

Answer 1

Required by law and most couples say: to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Till death do us part

Question 2

Exchanging of rings

Answer 2

Symbol of unyielding love and exclusive commitment

Question 3

Chastity

Answer 3

The act of never having sex

Question 4

Heterosexual relationship

Answer 4

A relationship between a man and a woman

Question 5

Homosexual

Answer 5

A relationship between two people who are of the same gender, this can be between a man and a man or a woman and a woman

Question 6

Celibacy

Answer 6

Abstaining from marriage and sexual relations

Question 7

Known organizations

Answer 7

One body one faith
Many Christian’s believe that being Christian and in a practicing same sex relationship. This view is supported by OneBodyOneFaith statement of conviction

Relate
Relate Ni is a registered charity to couples and to family’s that provides a range of relationship services to couples and to families throughout NI

Question 8

Divorce

Answer 8

The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body

Question 9

The purpose of marriage

Answer 9

They see the primary purposes of this union as intimate companionship, rearing children and mutual support for both husband and wife to fulfill their life callings.

Question 10

Bible teachings on marriage

Answer 10

Marriage is sacred - god created marriage and intends man and woman to become one in marriage

Marriage should be exclusive - it should be between one man and one woman

Marriage involves give and take - partners should be prepared to put each others life before their own

Marriage should be built on love and respect - the love between a man and a woman should be compared to the love Jesus has for the church

Question 11

Church teachings on marriage

Answer 11

Catholic - established by the creator, god is the author of Marriage - children are the supreme gift of marriage

Presbyterian - we believe in the sanctity of marriage, marriage was created by god - life long partnership - absolute faithfulness, only legitimate form of marriage is between a man and a woman

Methodist - by the help of god, this love grows and deepens - life long union in body mind and spirit, permanence in the union is essential - one man and one woman - two fold purpose, fellowship and parenthood

Church of Ireland - one of the functions of marriage is to provide a stable family unit in which children can be born and nurtured

Question 12

Why would some wait until marriage to have a sexual relationship

Answer 12

Sex is sacred and a gift from god and should only take place in a committed relationship

Prevents unwanted pregnancy

Monogamous heterosexual marriage is still the best defense against sexually transmitted diseases

Lessens the chance of std’s

Risk of emotional hurt

Fornication is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality

Question 13

Christian teachings on divorce

Answer 13

So they are not two but one, let man not separate - according to the Bible, gods plan is for marriage to be a life long and permanent commitment.

“I hate divorce” says the lord God of Israel - the Old Testament prophet Malachi clearly states gods opinion on divorce.

If anyone divorces his wife for anything other than unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery - the phrase other than unfaithfulness is the only condition for divorce. Jesus seems to be saying that divorce is allowed if sexual immorality is committed.

Other than unfaithfulness - the only condition for divorce.

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so, a believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh - the union of husband and wife merges two persons in such a way that gods plan is for them to become one.

Question 14

How does divorce effect the couple

Answer 14

Stress of looking after children on their own.
Fear over what lies ahead.
Worried about money.
Loneliness and depression.
Lack of support from in-laws.

Question 15

The effect of divorce on children.

Answer 15

Grief: loosing out on contact with one parent, experience the feeling of loss and sadness - similar to bereavement.
Confusion: loyalties - feeling torn between two parents.
Behavior: anger and upset can leave to poor behavior, eating disorders - signs of distress.

Question 16

The effect of divorce in the grandparents

Answer 16

May have to choose a side.
May loose contact with the child.
Sense of bereavement - may loose contact with their son in law/daughter in law.

Question 17

Nuclear family

Answer 17

This is the ,ost common type of family found in the uk. It consisted of a husband and a wife living in a family home with their children. Grandparents and relatives are in close contact but do not live with them. In 2016 opposite sex co habit couples were the second biggest type of couple family in the uk

Question 18

Cohabiting couple family

Answer 18

This consists of the couple and their children who decide to live together without getting married. The couple may be a man and a woman or a same sex couple.

Question 19

Same sex couples

Answer 19

This consists of a gay couple, either two men or two women and their children. They may be married or have a civil partnership or cohabitating. Children may be biological to one parent, be adopted or be from a sperm donation.

Question 20

Extended or multi family

Answer 20

This includes the parents, the children as well as other relative, possibly grandparents, all living under the same roof. Extended families were common in the past than today.

Question 21

Lone or single parent families,

Answer 21

This is a family made up of one parent and one child. It may be due to a decision not marry or co habitat or could be the result of separation, divorce or death.

Question 22

Reconstituted or blended family

Answer 22

This consists of a parent, who decided to live with a partner who decides to marry or live with a new partner, following separation,divorce or death and combines the two families.