Relationships and Sexuality

Christians believe that sex should always take place in a loving and committed relationship- no matter what sexuality the partners are. Some Christians don't agree with homosexuality as they believe sex should always lead to reproduction,and since homosexuals cannot reproduce naturally they are not part of God's plan. They believe homosexuality is a disease that can be cured. Some of the Christians that believe this are Evangelical Christians and Roman Catholic Christians- though not all members of these religions will have these views. For example, Pope Francis (the head of the Roman Catholic church) said "who am i to judge?" which shows a more  liberal atttude to homosexuality. However, some Christias are okay with homosexuality as Jesus did not write about homosexuality. Some Liberal and Anglican Christians believe that God created all people as equals and we should be tolerant towards each other.

Buddhists believe sex should only take place in a loving and committed relationship, no matter the sexuality. They argue that we are all responsible for our own actions and should accept the consequences of our own actions. 

Some Buddhists, such as Theravada Buddhists, believe that homosexuality is wrong as it does not lead to reproduction, so some Theravada Buddhists argue that it is 'Sexual Misconduct'- the 3rd Precept of the 5 Precepts. Some Buddhist Monks take a vow of celibacy which allows them to rise above physical urges. Some Liberal and Mahayana Buddhists are more accepting of homosexuality.

The nature argument states that you are born with your sexuality. The nurture argument states that you are influenced into your sexuality by your surroundings. Scientific studies argue for the Nature argument.

In 1967, homosexuality was legalised under UK law. Then, in 2002, the Civil Partnership act was passed allowing same sex couples to be married legally. In 2013, UK law legalised same sex marriage. Some same sex couples have been married in churches as well as in civil partnerships.

Christians believe that you should only have sex if you are in a loving and committed relationship, and if you are under 16 you are unlikely to be in a loving and committed relationship, so Christians would argue that you should wait to have sex. (16 is the legal age of consent in the UK).

Buddhists also believe that sex should only take place in a loving and committed relationship.

Under UK law, the Sexual Offences Bill 2003 makes any sexual acts a criminal offence is one or more of the people involved is under 16. This protects children from abuse by adults. The UK has one of the highest rates of teenage preganacies in the world and many people believe that young people throw away their virginities too easily- they should wait. As young people cannot vote until they reach the age of 18, many people argue that the age of consent should be raised as sex can result in pregancy, which gives the child a bigger responsibility than voting- and they are deemed not responsible enough to vote under UK law. They also believe that you are not ready to have sex at 16- physically or emotionally- as you are still (legally) a child, so you should not legally be able to have sex. 

Some peple argue that the age of consent should be lowered as it would decrease the rate of teenage pregnancies as it would make young people more comfortable seeking advice about contraception.

Some Christians believe that sex should only take place within a loving and committed relationship, so having sex based on lust is wrong as it can cause harm to other people. Some Christians, such as Roman Catholic Chritians and Evangelical Christians take a purity pledge which is a promise to God not to have sex before marriage. 

Buddhists argue that sex should only take place in a loving and committed relationship, so having sex with someone and pretending to love them is wrong as it could harm them and can be seen as 'Sexual Misconduct', the 3rd Buddhist Precept.

Some Christians, such as Evangelical and Roman Catholics, believe that contraception is wrong as sex should always lead to the possibility of a child. Because of this, artificial contraception, such as condoms, femidoms and the pill,go against God's plan. These Christians would use natural planning (having sex around a woman's ovulation period) as a form of contraception. Other Christians, such as Liberal and Anglican, believe that the use of contraception shows maturity and reponsibility, especially if used if having sex before marriage. They also believe that you should only have the amount of children you can afford to look after, so using contraception will prevent having any children that you cannot afford, so will prevent suffering.

Most Buddhists believe that using contraception shows maturity and responsibility as it prevents the spreading of STIs and stops unwanted pregnancies. However, they would argue that using the morning after pill is a form of abortion as it prevents the life of a potential person. Because of this, it breaks the 1st Buddhist Precept, 'No harm to any living thing'. 

Contraception prevents the spread of STIs and stops unwanted pregnancies, so it used withing religious and non religious communities.

Christians believe that marriage is a life long commitment between two people and divorce undermines this. Getting married in Church is a form of covenant as it is a promise made before God, and divorce breaks this promise, as well as the promises made by the couple in their vows. One of the main reasons for divorce is adultery, and 'No Adultery' is one of the ten commandments, lust is also one of the 7 sins. Jesus forgave a woman who committed adultery but he didn't forgive her sin. 

Buddhists also believe that marriage is a life long commitment. Divorce causes suffering (Dukkah) and Buddhists do not wish to cause suffering, they wish to end it. It goes against the Right Effort and the Right Mindfulness, two of the steps on the Noble Eightfold Path. They believe that a man who commits adultery lowers himself, as they believe 'A married man should look at other women as his mother, sister or daughter depending on their age.' Adultery is a from of sexual misconduct which goes agains the 3rd of the 5 precepts. 

In the Uk, adultery breaks civil law. Civil Partnerships are meant to be a lifeling commitment. In the UK, 43% of marriages end in divorce. Legal grounds for divorce in the UK are: adultery, unreasonable behavour and desertion. Divorce can also cause suffering to children as it can split their family up and give people different priorities.

Buddhists believe that children should be raised in a loving and committed relationship. Members of a family should respect each other and raise their children according to the rules of Buddhism, including the 5 Precepts and the Noble Eightfold Path. They believe that we are all responsible for our own actions and the consequences that come from those actions and they believe that children should be taught this from a young age. They believe that mother love is pure love and that women know the true meaning of love. They live in extended families that share resources and they believe that the younger generations learn from the older generations. 

Christians believe that Children are a gift from God and that they should be raised in a loving and committed relationship. They should be raised to follow Christian rules and guidelines, such as the 10 Commandments, and should attend Church. One of the 10 Commandments is to 'Honour your Parents' as one day the roles will be reversed and you will expect the same respect from your children. In Christianity, the ideal family structure is the Nuclear family. Anglican Christians believe that you should only have the number of children you can afford. 

Some families have rules and boundaries in place that teach their children right from wrong (morality). When entering into parenthood, you have to consider the reponsibility it places on you and consider what consequences it may bring (what you have to give up to be a parent).

There are many symbols involved in a Christian wedding, these include:

• Rings- a life-long commitment as the rings have no beginning and no end (never-ending).
• White Dress- the bride's chastity purity.
• Church- The church is God's house, as the marriage has taken place in God's house he will watch over and protect the marriage (Covenant).
• Priest- God's representative.
• Bible Passages- the word of God.
• Rice/Confetti throwing- to encourage the couple's fertility.
• Vows- promises made by the bride and groom to be faithful to eachother. 

Some Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims have arranged marriages, in arranged marriages the son or daughter can say yes or no to the partner. Some people argue that their parents know them better than anyone else, so they only have their best interests at heart and know who suits them best. Love is supposed to develop after marriage in arranged marriages (if the couple is meant to be together) as love is essential for marriage.

Forced marriages are when one or both partners do not consent to the marriage but are forced to go ahead with the wedding despite this (arranged marriage is not forced marriage- you have a choice in arranged marriages).

A Muslim woman may only marry a Muslim man, however a Muslim man may marry a woman of a different faith, such as Judaism or Christianity, as long as any children are raised as Muslims.

Most non religious people introduce their marriage partners to their families before the wedding as they hope that their family would accept and like their choice of marriage partner.

In Christianity, love is essential for marriage, Marriage is a life-long commitment and a form of covenant as it is a promise made before God. Most Christians believe that children should be raised within a marriage. 

In all other religions, love is essential for marriage. 

Some Monks, Nuns and Priests are celibate and are 'married to their faith' rather than another person. This is called a vocation to a religious life. 

Couples who do not wish to be married in church can choose to have a civil partnership, If a couple do not wish to be married but choose to live together it is known as cohabitation. A marriage sets out the responsibilities of a couple to each other, they should be over 18, be living together and have an intimate relationship.