Relationships

• To look after others
• Religious people have a responsibility to God
• Obey the law
• Care for the Earth
• To follow religious teachings
• To not let ourselves down

• To keep vows and promises we have made
• Fulfil our dity
• Not hurt others as we are all created by God
• Show commitment through prayer, worship and how they live their life

Agape - Love given freely and unreservedly; strong emotion that usually includes commitments

Storge - Affection for things and animals

Philia - Bond shown through friends and family

Eros - sexual love

• It is a duty or dharma to look after the family
• 10 commandments state how important it is to care for your parents
• Friends have a more important role in your life
• You choose your friends not family

Christianity

• Sex is a gift from God
• Contraceptions are acceptable aslong as both partners agree
• Adultery is forbidden in the 10 Commandments

Roman Catholics

• Artificial methods of contraception arent allowed
• Sex should always allow new life

Hinduism

• Chastity is a dharma (duty) of the student stage
• Sex should always be withing marriage
• Contraception could be against ahimsa (non-violence)
• A promise of faithfulness is made at the wedding

• All faiths agree both partners must agree
• Depends upon the type - some religions disapprove methods like the condom
• Many believe the body belongs to God

• Natural instinct of life is to have children
• Sign of deep personap commitment between a man and woman
• Provide joy and a sense of fulfilment
• Way of giving oneself totally to another
• Many sacred texts state the importance of having children

Christian

• Most denominations dont have a betrothal ceremony
• Different Attitudes
  • Anglican Church may bless the same sex couple
  • Quakers have welcomed same sex marriages for many years
  • Catholics teach marriage is a union between a man and a woman

Hinduism

• Courtship follows the intention to marry:
  • Families of the couple meet
  • Couple will have supervised meetings
  • Priest will look at horoscopes
• Wedding is a samskara 
• No official view on same sex marriage

Christianity

• Often held in church, chapel, cathedral - God's house
• Vows are taken to show commitment - "in sickness and in health"
• Exchange of rings to represent health
• Singing of hymns to worship God
• Signing of the register to show the couple is married

Hinduism

• Wedding is a samskara
• Mandcap (canopy) is put up in the wedding hall
• Offerings are made to Ganesha as he is believed to remove obstacles
• The bride's scarf is tied to the groom and they circle the havan to show togetherness
• Seven steps are taken for food, wealth, strength, happiness, children, long wedded life and unity
• The havan is lit and offerings made to symbolise wish for fertility, health and prosperity

• More people are cohabiting to show their commitment to each other - are socially accepted
• Religious traditions expect couples to enter into marriage
• The vows taken during a marriage can never be out of date
• Many people have trial marriages

• Religious believers want a blessing in a place of worship
• Plave of worship = house of God - so getting married there means God is present to bless the union
• Some people are not allowed to get married in a place of worship - Same sex couples in a catholic church
• It doesn't matter where you marry aslong as your intentions are right

• Same-sex marriages are against the teachings of some religious traditions
• If they both love each other and agree to the vows
• The most important part of marriage is having children
• Many sacred texts is to treat people how you would want to be treated

Christianity - Anglicans, Methodists, United Reform Churches

• Divorce is accepted
• Remarriage is discouraged but if chosen a non-church wedding is preferred
• No minister can be forced to conduct a remarraige ceremony

Catholic Church

• Divorce isnt recognised
• Marriage is a sacrament - can't be dissolved unless annulled (partner forced to marry)

Hinduism

• Divorce is allowed as a last resort but it is discouraged because of sacramental value
• Hindus of lower castes have always been allowed divorce and remarriage
• Extended family would help a couple to reconcile

• Unfaithfulness
• Fall out of love with partner
• Help from faith communities when there are difficulties in a marriage e.g. prayer
• Money worries
• Not taking commitment and responsibilities seriously
• Compromise over problems

• Everyone should be allowed a second chance
• People should be allowed - not a sacred building
• Marriage is a sacrament that cannot be dissolved in some religions
• If you have taken a vow for life then remarrying is breaking that vow

• People shouldn't be allowed to remarry in a place of worship because they have broken  sacred vows
• By being remarried in a religious building it may strengthen faith
• If the minister agrees and the couple want to - why not?
• A couple could be blessed in a religious building but not married