Theme A - Relationships and family

Question 1

Christianity: heterosexual relationships

Answer 1

natural, God’s plan for humanity

Question 2

Islam: heterosexual relationships

Answer 2

only permitted form of sexual relationship - husband and wife

Question 3

Christianity: homosexual relationships

Answer 3

• For: not sinful but shouldn’t have sex, some accept if it is loving and committing, Church of England allows (but it is up to the priest whether to marry them or not), many believe Bible needs to be interpreted with modern context
• Against: in the Bible sex is forbidden between two men, are against natural law because no procreation so not what God intended

Question 4

Islam: homosexual relationships

Answer 4

• For: there are initiatives such as the Inclusive Mosque Initiative (IMI) which allow for homosexuals and other people not accepted by their church to be of the faith, may accept if the relationship is loving and committed but with no sex
• Against: Muslims believe sexuality is a choice and they should control their actions, they will have to answer on the day of Judgement, Qur’an and Hadith teach that it is wrong and against God’s will, no procreation so not what God attended

Question 5

Purpose of marriage

Answer 5

Purpose of marriage is to provide a stable, secure environment for family life and the proper place to enjoy sex

Question 6

Christianity: Marriage

Answer 6

gift from God, lifelong union blessed by God, an agreement before God (covenant), vows are made to promise to be faithful and to stay together till death, spiritual bond of trust

Question 7

Islam: marriage

Answer 7

faithful, lifelong commitment by God, helps people develop spiritually, husbands and wives are like garments - support each other, foundation for family life, urged to not let poverty prevent marriage, expected to marry as a normal part of life, marriage is a social contract bringing two families together

Question 8

Christianity: sex before marriage

Answer 8

• For: some think sex is a valid expression of love before marriage
• Against: sex expressed a deep lifelong commitment that requires marriage, the Bible warns against sexual immorality

Question 9

Islam: sex before marriage

Answer 9

sex is a gift from God that must be managed responsibly in marriage, the Qur’an forbids it under Muslim law

Question 10

Christianity: sex outside marriage

Answer 10

Breaks vows Christians make before God, Jesus taught lust, which leads to adultery, is wrong, against the 10 commandments, Jesus forgave a women caught in adultery but ordered to leave her life of sin, wrong to use people for sex

Question 11

Islam: sex outside marriage

Answer 11

must avoid situations that lead to sexual sins, Qur’an forbids adultery, married couples should not have to go outside marriage for fulfilment

Question 12

Christianity: divorce and remarriage

Answer 12

• For: some Christians reflect on God’s forgiveness and allow couples a second church, churches allow remarriage as long as the vows are taken seriously
• Against: Jesus taught that divorce and remarriage was committing adultery, vows made in God’s presence must be kept, Catholics can’t remarry while the partner is still alive

Question 13

Islam: divorce and remarriage

Answer 13

• For: remarriage is allowed and can be beneficial if there are children, husband must support his children in all cases
• Against: Qur’an encourages couples to reconcile their differences with the help of family members, divorce is ‘hateful to Allah’, 3 month waiting period (can confirm pregnancy)

Question 14

Christianity: role of parents

Answer 14

Christians raise their children according to the Christian faith by teaching them how to pray and be faithful and sending the to Sunday Schools

Question 15

Islam: role of parents

Answer 15

Muslims raise their children according to the faith and teach them things like how to pray and the halal food laws

Question 16

Christianity: role of children

Answer 16

expected to respect and obey their parents and to care for them when their old

Question 17

Islam: role of children

Answer 17

expected to respect and obey their parents and to care for them when their old

Question 18

Christianity: purpose of families

Answer 18

provides stability because it is where people learn to live as a part of a community, family reflects Christ’s relationship with the church

Question 19

Islam: purpose of families

Answer 19

married are ‘guarded’ and ‘protected’ from sin, Muslims won’t consider putting parents in a car home - they repay them

Question 20

Christianity: contraception and family planning

Answer 20

• For: should have as many children as they can care/afford for, contraception to enable couples to develop relationships
• Against: goes against natural law/purpose of marriage, purpose of sex is procreation

Question 21

Islam: contraception and family planning

Answer 21

Contraception only considered in marriage, most Muslims use contraception for family planning, accept all types of contraception, some are against contraception however not an official teaching

Question 22

Christianity: gender equality

Answer 22

all people are created equal in the eyes of God, Jesus respected women and welcomed them as disciples, discrimination is wrong, ‘love thy neighbour’, traditional Christians think husbands should rule over their wives and women should stay at home and look after children

Question 23

Islam: gender equality

Answer 23

God created all people equal, men and women have the same moral and religious responsibilities, Islamic law recognises full property rights for women before and after marriage, Muhammad worked to unite communities with equality and justice