Marriage and Family Life - Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies Unit 3

Marriage and Family Life - Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies Unit 3

1. Christian Marriage

   • Sacrament - Love between husband and wife is sign of the love of God.
   • Permanent - Marriage lasts for as long as both partners are alive "till death do us part"
   • Exclusive - Sharing life with your partner means remaining totally faithful to one another. Adultery is wrong.
   • Life- Giving - It is about both partners helping each other to grow and become better people. Also about having children and caring for them.

2. Marriage Ceremony

   • Introduction and questions, Exchanging vows before God and witnesses, Exchanging rings blessed by God, Prayers, Bible readings on marriage, Sermon on marriage duties, Signing of Register.

3. Christianity and Sex

   • Sex before marriage is wrong.
     • Some Christians believe it is acceptable as long as the couple love one another, are in a long term relationship and intend to marry.
   • Bible teaches that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and should be respected, instead of committing promiscuity.
   • It is wrong to act upon homosexual emotions, however Christians should support homosexuals and not be prejudiced.
   • Adultery is wrong.
   • Jesus taught that love is the most important thing - "Love your neighbour"

4. Christianity and Divorce

   • RC - take the Bible literally and believe that marriage is made by God and therefore cannot be ended by anything other than death.
   • Anulment is possible - declaration that the marriage did not really exist - only if someone has been forced into marriage, lying about vows, or if marriage has not been consummated.
   • Divorce
     • Adultery
     • Unreasonable behaviour
     • 2 years separation with consent
     • 5 years separation without consent
     • Desertion

5. Christianity and Family Life

   • Parents should love their children and provide them with food, clothes etc.
   • Parents should set a good example, encouraging children to go to church and be baptised and confirmed.
   • "Honour your father and mother." - New Testament
   • Children should look after their parents if they are no longer capable.
   • Christian marriage ceremony refers to starting a family and bringing children up as Christians.
   • Family is basis of society.
   • God made family to keep society together.
   • Adam and Eve=family
   • Some churches run schools which teach in Christian environments.
   • Sunday schools and confirmation classes teach children differences between right and wrong.
   • Vicars and priests act as family counsellors.
   • Bible stresses importance of family life.

6. Homosexuality

   • RC Church - homosexuality is acceptable as long as it is is not acted upon. Must control sexual feelings by disinterested friendships, through sacraments and prayer. Counselling is offered.
     • 'You must not lie with a man as with a woman, that is detestable."
     • "Homosexual offenders will not inherit KINGDOM OF GOD."
   • Other Christians - allow homosexuality if they are in a strong committed relationship as Jesus did not discriminate, sex is also to show love and Bible passages are outdated.
     • "Love thy Neighbour" and Golden Rule
     • "Let those who are without sin cast the first stone"

7. Attitudes to Contraception

   • Against
     • Sex is for procreation.
     • Can lead to the sin of promiscuity.
     • Could lead to adultery which is against Decalogue.
     • Devalues sexual acts.
     • Sex should take place within marriage to ensure love and trust, therefore there is no need for contraception.
   • For
     • Sex is also to show love and unity without the worry of having children.
     • A couple may not be able to afford children so it allows them to plan and control family sizes.
     • Jesus did not mention anything about not using contraception in the Bible.
     • Lesser of two evils if it prevents needs for abortion.