Relationships and Families - Key Words

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Marriage

  • Marriage is a legal / religious union between a man and a woman within christianity.
  • The nature of marriage is that it is a sacrement (for some), commitment between 2 people, gift from God, monogomous and heterosexual.
  • The purpose of marriage is to procreate and raise a family, to have a sexual relationship, to show a spouse love, the foundation of a stable society and to symbolise the relationship between Jesus and the church (within Christianity)
  • Homesexual relationships - Some accept this but still belive marriage should be between a man and a woman because Jesus said marriage should be betweeen a man and a woman. Within the catholic church marriage's purpose is to produce children and homosexual relationships cannot do this.
  • Some non religious people may cohabit (living together without being married) - may think it is just as good as / better than marriage.
  • Premarital Sex- The Catholic Church and many christians believe that sex before marriage is wrong, although the Church of England may accept it if they are in a committed relationship, or are more relaxed.
  • It is unlawful to have sex before marriage in Islam (Zina), though some Liberal Muslims may have sex. Orthodox Jews view premarital sex negatively and may even avoid other physcial contact ie. kissing. However Reform Jews are more relaxed.
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Divorce

  • Christians believe that marriage is an important commitment to someone and a bond tat God doesn't want to be broken - in some denominations it is a sacrement. This means that to break the vow of marriage is a sin because they have broken something holy.
  • The Catholic Church does not allow divorces and will not remarry any divorcees - however they will allow anulments ( the cancelling of a marriage) in some extreme cases.
  • However some may allow divorce because Jesus allowed divorce when adultery had been committed. There is also the belief God forgives any sin commited or mistakes and it is more compassionate to allow an unhappy marriage to end.
  • There are some reasons a divorce may occur and they are; Falling out of love, cheating has occured, a spouse walks out or the relationship is abusive.
  • If a church allows a divorce - they usually allow a remarriage, but it happens with discretion with each couple. Reasons for a remarriage can include: Falling in love again, to have a fullfilling sexual relationship and to have love and support, it can also provide secuirty for existing children.
  • Many religious and non religious people accept remarriage.
  • Divorce is becoming more socially acceptable and the rate for divorce is higher now than in the past.
  • 'The two shall become one flesh'
  • Therefore what God has joined togeher let no man seperate'
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Sexual Relationships and Sexuality

  • CHristians have different opinions on homosexuality and homosexual marriage is legal in the UK except NI.
  • Some  Christians accept homosexual relationships because: Jesus did not condemn it, Jesus told people not to judge others, many Christians believe love is the most important thing and some religions think the teachings in the Bible/ Quran are no longer relevent.   
  • Others are against it because: they cannot produce children ( the Catholic Church), The Bible and Qur'an teach against it, it is Zina in Islam and it is compulsory to punish it and they undermine the nuclear family dynamic (the foundation for society).
  • The different sexualities are : heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual etc.
  • Many people accept this however some religions may oppose them and Christians have different opinions about sexual relationships because Jesus said it bonded a heterosexual couple.
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Contraception and Family Planning

  • Contraception stops pregnancies from occuring and in some cases stops the spreading of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Eg. Condoms (barrier method) - most Christians approve this, Sterilisation is approved by most Christians if it i thought through although Muslims may disagree and finally the Pill ( hormonal methods) are approved if there is no possibility of an early abortion being caused.
  • Some Christians accept it because: There is nothing forbidding its use in the Bible, They think it is better for parents to plan the timing and number of their children for health and financial reasons and they think it will benefit the children if their parents have been able to plan it .
  • Other Christians may not accept it because: they belive sexual intercourse should only happen if the two are open to the possibility of new life (The Catholic Church) - disagree with Artifical Contraception. This is taught in the Humanea Vitae.
  • It is contreversial when Catholics do not provide contraception in developing countries - unwanted pregnancies, spread of STD's etc.
  • Contraception is not forbidden in Islam although natural methods are preferred and must be used with consent of both partners / not harm either partner.
  • Orthodox Jews may consult a Rabbi on whether it is acceptable for them but Reform Jews have a liberal attitude and are more likely to use contraception
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