Theme A - Relationships and Families

Question 1

Give two religious beliefs about the purpose of families [2 Marks]

Answer 1

• Educate children in faith

- Keep children protected in a safe environment

Question 2

Give two religious beliefs about the nature of family [2 Marks]

Answer 2

• Parents should be a man and woman
• A nuclear family is the best place to raise children
• Parents should be married

Question 3

Give two religious beliefs about the use of contraception [2 Marks]

Answer 3

• No // does not allow “be fruitful and multiply”

- Yes // can protect the health of the mother

Question 4

Give two religious beliefs about same-sex marriage [2 Marks]

Answer 4

• Wrong // Leviticus: “Man shall not have sexual relations with another man as he would with a woman; that is detestable”
• Okay // as long as parents are in a long-term, loving, faithful relationship

Question 5

Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about homosexuality. [4 Marks]

Answer 5

• Liberal Christians // okay as long as couple are in a loving, committed and faithful relationship
• Orthodox Jews // not okay // unnatural and not how God designed couples to be // Leviticus – “man shall not lie with another man as he would with a woman; that is detestable”.

Question 6

Give two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about sex before marriage. [4 Marks]

Answer 6

• Liberal Jews – sex before marriage is okay as it allows you to learn your sexual preferences and prepares you for marriage
• Orthodox Christians – sex is a privilege and a loving commitment that is only appropriate in the environment of marriage. Sex is also for making children, “be fruitful and multiply”, and people should be married before having kids.

Question 7

Give two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about the use of artificial contraception within marriage. [4 Marks]

Answer 7

• Artificial contraception within marriage is wrong // “every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life” Humanae Vitae
• Artificial contraception is okay in cases when the mothers health is in risk or couple are not financially or mentally able to care for a child.

Question 8

Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about same-sex parents. [4 Marks]

Answer 8

• Same sex parents are wrong // Leviticus // parents need to be a man and a women so that they can tach children different skills (mother teaches cooking, father teaches business, etc)
• Same sex parent are okay // as long as parents are in a loving, committed, and faithful relationship and are caring for their children in the correct way then there is no reason they should be deprived of parenthood.

Question 9

Give two contrasting beliefs about the roles of men and women. [4 Marks]

Answer 9

• Orthodox Jews // men and women are equal but have different roles // women cannot be part of the minyan or be a rabbi
• Liberal Christians // men and women should have the same roles // in Liberal Churches, women can be pastors or bishops, and can also be ordained

Question 10

Explain two religious beliefs about divorce. [4 Marks]

Answer 10

• Divorce is wrong // in marriage you make vows to partner and to God // numbers: “when man makes a vow to the Lord he shall keep his vow”
• Divorce can sometimes be the lesser of two evils // for example, in cases of adultery, abandonment, abuse, neglect, etc.

Question 11

Explain two religious beliefs about same sex marriage. [4 Marks]

Answer 11

• Same sex marriage is wrong // Leviticus: “man shall not lie with another man as he would with a woman; that is detestable”.
• Same sex marriage is okay as long as couple is in a loving, committed, faithful relationship // should not be discriminated against

Question 12

Explain two religious beliefs about contraception. [4 Marks]

Answer 12

• Artificial contraception is wrong // this actively stopping a child from being made
• Natural contraception is okay // does not block or interrupt the natural process, therefore making it okay

Question 13

Explain two religious beliefs about gender equality. [4 Marks]

Answer 13

• Judaism // all people are equal because we are all made lovingly by God and in his image.
• Christianity // Galatians says “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, nor slave nor free, neither male or female. For you are all one in Jesus Christ” // everyone is equal, and this includes men and women

Question 14

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of women in the church. [4 Marks]

Answer 14

• Orthodox Jews // women and men are equal but they have different roles // only men can be rabbis and form part of the minyan
• Liberal Christians // men and women should have the same roles // in Liberal Churches, women can be pastors or bishops, and can also be ordained

Question 15

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of parents. [4 Marks]

Answer 15

• Parents should procreate // have lots of children // “be fruitful and increase in numbers” – Genesis
• Parents should educate their children in the faith // they should teach their children about the faith and make them participate in the religions practices and celebrations

Question 16

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of women in the family. [4 Marks]

Answer 16

• Orthodox Jews believe that women should stay at home, look after the kinds, and make the meals.
• Liberal Christians believe that women have the same status and roles as men, and therefore all roles in the family are interchangeable and flexible // “there is neither Jew not Gentile…” – Galatians (unlike Traditional Christians who believe “wives, submit to your husbands” – Ephesians).

Question 17

Explain two religious beliefs about sexual relationships outside of marriage (adultery) [4 Marks]

Answer 17

• Jews // adultery is wrong // 10 commandments (exodus) “thou shall not commit adultery”
• Christians // adultery is wrong // breaks vows made in a marriage ceremony // Numbers – “when man vows to the Lord, man shall not break his vow”.

Question 18

Explain two religious beliefs about marriage [4 Marks]

Answer 18

• Marriage is a sacrament, a lifelong commitment, and a union between two people.
• Marriage is the correct place to have a family // “be fruitful and increase in numbers”

Question 19

Explain two religious beliefs about unmarried couples living together (cohabitation) [4 Marks]

Answer 19

• As long as couple are loving and faithful then cohabitation is good preparation for marriage.
• While there is no problem with people living together asexually, but living together could provide the couple with sexual temptations and having sexual relations before marriage is wrong, and should only be a privilege for married couples.

Question 20

Explain two religious beliefs about the nature of marriage [5 marks]

Answer 20

• Unitive – life long commitment uniting a couple

- Procreative – sexual relations resulting in the creation of children – “be fruitful and increase in numbers” Genesis

Question 21

Explain two religious beliefs about divorce [5 marks]

Answer 21

• Divorce is wrong // in marriage you make vows to partner and to God // numbers: “when man makes a vow to the Lord he shall keep his vow”
• Divorce can sometimes be the lesser of two evils // for example, in cases of adultery, abandonment, abuse, neglect, etc.

Question 22

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of parents in a religious family [5 marks]

Answer 22

• Educate the children in the faith. Proverbs – “train up a child in the way he should go”
• Protect the children and keep them safe.

Question 22

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of parents in a religious family [5 marks]

Answer 22

• Educate the children in the faith. Proverbs – “train up a child in the way he should go”
• Protect the children and keep them safe.

Question 23

Explain two religious beliefs about sex outside of marriage (adultery) [5 marks]

Answer 23

• Jews // adultery is wrong // 10 commandments (exodus) “thou shall not commit adultery”
• Christians // adultery is wrong // breaks vows made in a marriage ceremony // Numbers – “when man vows to the Lord, man shall not break his vow”.

Question 24

Explain two religious teachings about same sex marriage. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5 marks]

Answer 24

• Same sex marriage is wrong // Leviticus: “man shall not lie with another man as he would with a woman; that is detestable”.
• Same sex marriage is okay as long as couple is in a loving, committed, faithful relationship // should not be discriminated against

Question 25

Explain two religious teachings about contraception. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5 marks]

Answer 25

• Artificial contraception is wrong // this actively stopping a child from being made // “be fruitful and increase in numbers” – Genesis
• Natural contraception is okay // does not block or interrupt the natural process, therefore making it okay

Question 26

Explain two religious teachings about the treatment of women. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5 marks]

Answer 26

• Jews // women should be treated equally in all aspects of life // we are all made equally in the image of God - Genesis
• Christians // men and women should be treated equal because Galatians says “there is neither Jew nor Gentile..”
• Women should be treated fairly and kindly, but differently than men // 1“with painful labour you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you” – Genesis.

Question 27

Explain two religious teachings about remarriage. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5 marks]

Answer 27

• For Catholics, and other traditional Christians, remarriage in Church is not possible because your fist marriage was a sacrament, a promise made before God which cannot be broken (Numbers or Matthew – “anyone who divorces his wife and remarries makes her a victim of adultery”.
• For some other Christian denominations remarriage is okay if approved or blessed by the Bishop/pastor with authority. The think that the church should reflect the forgiveness of God and allow people who have made mistakes the opportunity to find happiness by remarrying.

Question 28

Explain two religious teachings about same sex parents. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5 marks]

Answer 28

• Same sex parents are wrong // Leviticus // parents need to be a man and a women so that they can teach children different skills (mother teaches cooking, father teaches business, etc)
• Same sex parent are okay // as long as parents are in a loving, committed, and faithful relationship and are caring for their children in the correct way then there is no reason they should be deprived of parenthood.

Question 29

Explain two religious teachings about sexual relationships before marriage. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5 marks]

Answer 29

• Liberal Jews – sex before marriage is okay as it allows you to learn your sexual preferences and prepares you for marriage
• Orthodox Christians – sex is a privilege and a loving commitment that is only appropriate in the environment of marriage. Sex is also for making children, “be fruitful and multiply”, and people should be married before having kids.

Question 30

Explain two religious teachings about the role of women in the church. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5 marks]

Answer 30

• Orthodox Jews // women and men are equal but they have different roles // only men can be rabbis and form part of the minyan // Timothy: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet”.
• Liberal Christians // men and women should have the same roles (Galatians) // in Liberal Churches, women can be pastors or bishops, and can also be ordained

Question 31

“Christian mothers should stay home and care for children” [12 Marks]

Answer 31

For’s:
- God has ordained women as child bearers which shows that they should be the one to care for them // Genesis: “with painful labour you will give birth to children. You will desire your husband and he will rule over you” // the female role is lesser than that of a man, and should be concentrated on the home

• The bible says that “the wisest of women builds her house.. Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs). Christians should listen to the word of God and women should realise that there is no greater responsibility or way of honouring God than to stay at home and care for children.

Against’s:
- All made equal and in God’s image in God’s eyes (Galatians) – therefore is both the fathers and the mothers duty to look after the children. You should not dictate roles and status on the basis of gender.

• A God of justice and fairness would not make women just so they have to bear and care for children // both mothers and fathers should be able to explore God’s world and the special talents and gifts he has given them.

Question 32

“Educating children in faith is just brainwashing them” [12 Marks]

Answer 32

For’s:
- Limiting // limits their access to other views

• Impressionable // children will accept whatever parents say//does not allow child to choose their beliefs

Against’s:
- You should listen to your parents // proverbs says “you should listen to your father and not despise your mother when she is old”

• Purpose of marriage is contradicting // Christian parents are told that they should educate their children in the faith, so they should

Question 33

“A vow made in the presence of God should never be broken” [12 Marks]

Answer 33

For’s:
- Numbers “if a man vows to the Lord… he shall not break his word” // therefore people should follow this commandment and not break his vow

• To break ones promise is undermining your word and distances you from God // God is faithful and keeps his promises, so we should too

Against’s:
- at the moment of making the vow you were not fully aware of all the information // for example in marriage you did not know your partner was abusive, cheating on you or a serious criminal

• although God doesn’t change people do//your personal circumstances may make the vow impossible to keep//for example if you have to come to terms with a new sexual or gender identity, it may put pressure on your marriage vows

Question 34

“The Christian Church should not take a view on family planning” [12 Marks]

Answer 34

For’s:
- the way married couples decide to plan their families and conduct their sex lives is a private matter and not for the Church to take a view on

• in poor countries where overpopulation is a problem, the church causes huge social and economic difficulty by discouraging family planning (contraception) // more harm than good

Against’s:
- church should speak out on any act which interferes with nature and prevents life from being made because life is a gift from God and not for humans to control // sanctity of life

• church has a duty to take a view on any matter which it believes is morally and socially important, from poverty to warfare to morals// ridiculous for the church to withhold its view on family planning just because it is unfashionable or awkward to discuss.

Question 35

“Divorce is never right” [12 Marks]

Answer 35

For’s:
- promise made before God // Numbers

• If you divorce you make your spouse a victim of adultery which is wrong // Matthew and Exodus

Against’s:
- In cases of abuse, neglect, abandonment it is lesser of two evil

• God is forgiving and Jesus shows that in his life on earth // sometimes people make mistakes, so we should forgive and let them try again // Matthew “but I tell you, do not forgive 7 times, but instead forgive 7 x 70 times”.

Question 36

“Men and women should not have equal rights” [12 Marks]

Answer 36

For’s:
- Men and women are equal, but their roles are different and therefore their rights are too // complementarian

• A husband should rule over his wife and therefore they do not have equal rights // Genesis: “your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you”.

Against’s:
- Galatians // In the Bible it says men and women are equal in Christ, therefore God doesn’t see them or their rights as different, so other humans shouldn’t too.

• Everyone is made in God’s image // love thy neighbour // it is not very kind for over half the population to be oppressed.

Question 37

“For religious believers, sexual relationships should only take place within marriage” [12 Marks]

Answer 37

For’s:
- Sex before marriage allows people and their bodies to be taken advantage of and devalued // “bodies are temples of the holy sprit” – Corinthians

• Orthodox Christians – sex is a privilege and a loving commitment that is only appropriate in the environment of marriage. Sex is also for making children, “be fruitful and multiply”, and people should be married before having kids

Against’s:
- As long as the relationships are loving and faithful, people should be able to become close and express their love without rushing into a life-long commitment (marriage)

• Liberal Jews – sex before marriage is okay as it allows you to learn your sexual preferences and prepares you for marriage

Question 38

“Christians should be prepared to accept gay marriage” [12 Marks]

Answer 38

For’s:
- When two people love each other and want to make a faithful long-term commitment, just as heterosexual couples do, it is a cause for celebration and therefore Christians should accept this.

• Even those who might not approve of gay marriage should accept, love, and not judge others for their decisions (for this is the primary Christian calling – “love thy neighbour”

Against’s:
- It says in the Bible “when man lies with man… that is detestable” (Leviticus) // so Christians should obey Gods word even if it is uncomfortable and unfashionable

• Jesus said that “a man will leave his father and hi mother and will live with his wife. The two will become one” // this is clearly a reference to heterosexual union and it is a Christians duty not to corrupt the words of Jesus

Question 39

“Marriage should be for life” [12 Marks]

Answer 39

For’s:
- Vow made before God

• Once God has joined you together, then it is damaging and painful (particularly on families) to rip them apart again // Matthew “so they are no longer two, but one flesh. therefore, what God has joined together let no one separate”.

Against’s:
- Anyone can make a mistake, God would forgive them so others should too

• Marriage could turn out to be toxic // abuse, neglect, abandonment etc.

Question 40

“Marriage is the correct place for sexual relationships” [12 Marks]

Answer 40

For’s:
- The purpose of marriage is procreation, thus sex exists in a marriage where children can be properly brought up in a stable environment

• Bible talks about two becoming one flesh, Matthew, and this clearly is a reference to sexual union (between a man and woman) in a marriage

Against’s:
- People should be allowed to have sex before marriage to understand their sexual orientation

• Sex before marriage prepares people for marriage

Question 41

“Same sex marriage is wrong” [12 Marks]

Answer 41

For’s:
- A family needs to have both genders as parents so different roles can be taught to children

• Leviticus says that it is “detestable” // therefore same-sex marriage is clearly wrong

Against’s:
- Same-sex couple are just as loving and faithful as heterosexual couple / /they should be allowed to express their long for each other through marriage

• It is an illegal discrimination to prevent people, who did not choose their sexuality, to not be able to enjoy certain civil rights
• Everyone should love each other, and not discriminate – “love thy neighbour”

Question 42

“Women and men should be treated completely equally” [12 Marks]

Answer 42

For’s:
- God made both equally in his image

• Galatians 3

Against’s:
- Men and women are clearly biologically different and from the garden of Eden onwards have been given different responsibilities and roles by God

• “wives submit to your husbands… for the husband is head of the wife” – Ephesians

Question 43

“Everyone should use contraception” [12 Marks]

Answer 43

For’s:
- Children should be planned, not an accident

• the expression of love, through sex, is a beautiful and healthy part of a relationship and should not be only for the purposes of procreation

Against’s:
- it is your choice whether to use it or not – free will

• some people may not have access to contraception
• For some Catholics, contraception goes against their faith and is a serious sin

Question 44

“Divorce is not acceptable” [12 Marks]

Answer 44

For’s:
- Breaks vows made to God // Numbers

• Matthew “so they are no longer two, but one flesh. therefore, what God has joined together let no one separate”. Goes directly against Genesis and Jesus

Against’s:
- People make mistakes // should forgive ad Jesus would // “love thy neighbour”

• Things may have changed since marriage // relationship is; abuse, neglect, abandonment etc.

Question 45

“Marriage is outdated and old-fashioned and is not needed” [12 Marks]

Answer 45

For’s:
- Marriage is extremely sexist and outdated, for example, a woman changing her name and her tax status suggests dependence on a man which robs her of independence and self-expression

• In the past, marriage has been used to protect women as without a man they were seen as vulnerable – this is not the case anymore and therefore is not needed

Against’s:
- Marriage is a very stable, long-term, public commitment which shows that a couple is serious about staying together through thick and thin, and so binds society together.

• For children in particular, knowing that their parents have formed a permanent, legal bond is a form of great security

Question 46

“Gender prejudice cannot be stopped” [12 Marks]

Answer 46

For’s:
- Gender prejudice is very deep rooted, and although laws can be made, certain people will not be able to change their attitudes

• Male and female physical differences are obvious to the eye and therefore our biological and physical differences so for some people women will always be the “weaker sex”

Against’s:
- Any prejudice can be stopped with education, so that young peoples moral framework and expectation is set from an early age and is different from pervious generations

• Any prejudice can be stopped by the law! Although it can take some time, forcing gender equality in issues such as employment and civil rights will eventually change attitudes

Question 47

“Women should not be leaders in the church” [12 Marks]

Answer 47

For’s:
- “women should be silent in the church. They are not permitted to speak but should be subordinate” – Corinthians. Therefore women are lesser then men in their roles, and should leave being a leader to the men.

• Jesus chose his 12 disciples and they were all men. He had many female followers, but he clearly decided that the leaderships roles should be for men.

Against’s:
- Galatians

• The great commission, in Matthew, is clearly delivered to all believers with equal right and equal responsibility in the Holy Spirit. It is true 2000 years ago that women did not have civil rights, so appear to have les authoritative leading roles, but this was because of the society he lived in. Society today is different

Question 48

“Religious believers should never be sexist.” [12 Marks]

Answer 48

For’s:
- “love thy neighbour”

• Galatians
• Being born a certain sex is not someone choice, so they should not be discriminated against

Against’s:
- Understanding that men and women have different roles in life and in religion is not discrimination, but instead complementarianism // distinguishing between genders might be called sexist, but really it is just respecting peoples differences

• Ephesians says “wives, submit to your husbands” // it may be unfashionable, but it is the word of God and is correct, and therefore should be followed.

Question 49

“Homosexuals should not be allowed to worship in churches.” [12 Marks]

Answer 49

For’s:
- Homosexuality is not consistent with the teaching in the bible, therefore it is hypocritical of anyone with this lifestyle to worship in church; they should repent before they come to church

• Having homosexuals in church (just the same as having adulterers or thieves) creates real problems both in terms of normalising their behaviour and upsetting or distracting the rest of the congregation (especially those who are young in the faith and may not understand).

Against’s:
- If homosexuality is a sin, then it is one sin of many; everyone attending church is a sinner. If churches were only open to those who do not sin, they would be empty

• “love thy neighbour”
• In modern British society, loving and committed homosexual relationships are not “sinful” and can be blessed by the church. The more diversity there is in those worshipping, the richer and better the worship

Question 50

“Remarriage is adultery.” [12 Marks]

Answer 50

For’s:
- Jesus said “if man divorces his wife, except for immorality, he has made her a victim of adultery” and therefore it is clear that marriage is permanent and you cannot marry, remarry, marry remarry, etc

• When a man and a woman is made one flesh (Mathew and Genesis) it is a one time unity which cannot be unmade and remade // just like other sacraments cannot be made and unmade and then remade again

Against’s:
- God is a God of compassion and forgiveness. People should always have hope of forgiveness of God and of others and a second chance (remarriage) when they make mistakes; that is a fundamental Christian belief.

• In cases of adultery, abuse, abandonment people rightly have to escape these toxic marriages. It would be unjust and unloving to prevent them or scorn them for seeking happiness in another marriage

Question 51

“There is no reason to use contraception.” [12 Marks]

Answer 51

For’s:
- The purpose of marriage and sexual relations is procreation (Genesis) – contraception stops that happening and therefore is a denial of God’s will and the gift of life

• Contraception suggests that God is not in control. It is God who plans humans lives and therefore humans should not interfere but should trust God with decisions about the creation of life

Against’s:
- Prevents STD’s

• Sexual relationships are a way of expressing love, not just procreating
• The lie of a child is too important to leave to chance – it must be planned. Contraception prevents unwanted pregnancies and therefore either an abortion or a lifelong commitment that is unwanted