Religion and Human relationships

Roman Catholics: do not allow divorce, but permits separation. In exceptional cases permit annulment. (if the marriage was not valid in the first place)

Church of England do allow divorce. This is because Jesus taught that the right course of action is the most loving thing to do. Some people point out Jesus allowed divorce on the grounds of unfaithfulness.

Couples enter a marriage with the expectation it will last 'till death do us part'.

Roman Catholics: again, do not allow re-marriage, it is believed to be the same as adultery and they belive marriage cannot be dissolved.

Church of England: allows re-marriage, but leaves it down to decision of the priest/vicar as some belive it is wrong.

Genesis sometimes interpreted as evidence men are the superior sex.

In Genesis, God fashions women out of Adams ribs to be his helper.

Bible taken as evidence that man should be head of the family

C of E have the vow for the women to 'love, honour and obey' her husband.

HOWEVER

Most modern Christians do not believe men are superior.

"There is neither... male nor female... for you are all one in Christ Jesus"

St Paul: "Women should remain silent in the churches. If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church."

Some Christians argue that as Jesus only had male disciples, leadership roles should only be held by men.

Orthodox and Roman Catholics do not permit female priests.

Church of England ordained its first women priest in 1994

Baptist and Methodists allow women to become ordained.

Roman Catholics: reject idea of artificial birth control based on Natural Law.

This is because the church teaches a marriage shoul be open to possibility of children.

As alternative, couples should use natural methods which depend on womens monthly cycle.

Other Christians are not against use of contraception to control family size/ if not financially stable enough. BUT do agree that marriage shoul be open to possibility of children.

Homosexual desires are not a sin, but acting upon them is. "Homosexual acts are an abomination to God"

Roman Catholics are against homosexual acts.

Some Christians (e.g. Quakers) are less judgemental.

Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.