Religion & Human Relationships

Christian Marriage
1. Liberal
  1. Marriage is open to both same sex and opposite sex couples.
2. Conservative
  1. Marriage is a sacrament. This is important in Roman Catholicism
  2. Marriage is the only suitable relationship in which sexual intercourse can take place.
3. All Christians
  1. Marriage is a gift from God
  2. Marriage is a solemn agreement made between two people in the presences of God.
  3. Marriage is the ideal relationship in which to have and bring up children.
  4. Marriage is intended to be a permanent relationship.
    1. Jesus stressed 'what God has joined together, let man not separate'
  5. Marriage is intended to be a supportive relationship built on love and faithfulness.
  6. As a way of life marriage was blessed by Jesus Christ.
4. A legal agreement between two people to share their lives together.
5. Features of a Christian Wedding Service
  1. Declerations
  2. Vows
    1. 'till death do us part'
  3. Exchanging of the rings
  4. Signing of the Register
  5. Prayers for the couple
Sexual Relationships
1. Most, if not all, Christians are against casual sex as they believe that sex should only take place between a committed and loving couple.
  1. "You should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
2. "You shall not commit adultery." (Deuteronomy 5:18)
3. Liberal Christians
  1. "Love thy neighbour" (Mark 12:31)
  2. Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 6.15-19)
  3. Sex should only take place between a loving, committed and ideally married couple, Sex offers couples a physical way of expressing their love and building intimacy. Casual sex and promiscuity are unacceptable as they undermine the link between love and sex.
  4. It isnt necessary that every sexual act must have the chance of pregnancy.
4. Conservative Christians
  1. Primary function of sex is reproduction.
    1. "Be fruitful and increase in number" (Genesis 1:28)
  2. Sex should only take place between a committed, loving, married and heterosexual couple. Casual sex and promiscuity are unacceptable and undermine the link between sex, reproduction and marriage.
Contraception
1. Catholics
  1. Sex is for having children
    1. Only accepts the rhythm method
    2. "Be fruitful and increase in number"
  2. Interferes with God's plan
    1. It should be up to God to decide how many children a couple should have.
  3. Sanctity of Life
2. Also protects against STDs
3. Quakers and Anglicans
  1. Allows artificial methods eg. condom, pill, implant etc within marriage (or a long term relationship).
    1. Benefits a relationship as allows enjoyment of sex without fear of unwanted pregnancy.
    2. It isnt necessary that every sexual act results in pregnancy.
4. All Christians
  1. Agree that contraception should only be used within marriage or a committed and loving relationship as they all disagree with casual sex so therefore think that it should not be used as an excuse to have sex without worrying about the consequences
Role of men and women in the family and the Church
1. In the Church
  1. Roman Catholics & traditional Protestants don't allow women to be ordained.
    1. "Do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first and the Eve." - 1 Timothy 2:11-14
  2. Liberal Christians take an egalitarian view that all people were created equal, therefore many denominations support female ministers
    1. "Neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28-29
  3. Christianity has traditionally given men the position of authority in marriage, society and government. This position places women in submissive roles, and usually excludes women from church leadership.
2. In the family
  1. The majority of christians regard women with dignity and respect, having been created alongside men in God's image
    1. "God created Man in his own image"
  2. Liberal christians believe that women and men are of equal value and are both equally capable and suited to holding the same positions in the family.
    1. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus - Galatians 3:28-29
  3. Conservative christians believe that it is the role of women to have children, to bring them up and to run a christian home for the family, whereas it is the role of men to bring in a wage and lead the family. They believe that men and women are of equal value, but were created for different roles and responsibilities.
    1. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. - Ephesians 5:22-23
Divorce
1. Roman Catholics
  1. Don't recognise divorce
  2. They accept that people may get a divorce; but in the eyes of God they are still married
    1. Starting a sexual relationship with someone, would be considered adultery. They prefer the couple to live separately than have a divorce
      1. "You shall not commit adultery"
    2. "What God has joined together let man not seperate."
  3. Annulment
    1. A declaration that the marriage was never a proper marriage in the eyes of the church.
    2. If the couple were underage.
    3. If one or more parties were forced into the marriage against their will.
    4. If the marriage was never consumated.
    5. If one or more parties where not of sound state of mind when the marriage took place.
    6. If one or both parties were married already.
2. Protestants
  1. They recognise divorce
    1. But it must be the last resort after reconciliation attempts have failed
  2. Divorce is allowed for reasons such as adultery or abuse
  3. Anglicans expect a couple to attempt reconciliation, but the priority is to care for the separating couple.
  4. Christian communities can help avoid a divorce by counselling and praying for the couple involved
Remarriage
1. Once a couple has had their marriage annulled they are freely allowed to marry again
2. Protestants allow remarriage, but it is up to the individual vicar whether they perform the ceremony
3. Some Christians do not like remarriage as vows have already been broken ('till death do us part'), and it could be considered adultery.
4. Some Christians permit it because there might be an innocent party (partner was abusive or adulterous) and to prevent remarriage would be spoiling their chance of happiness
  1. "Love thy neighbour" (Mark 12:31)
Homosexuality
1. Roman Catholics say that homosexual feelings are not wrong, but disagree with homosexual sex.
  1. It is contrary to God's will and his natural moral law as sex should be for the purpose of reproduction only, whereas homosexual sex does not allow for reproduction.
2. CIvil Partnerships
  1. Anglicans have no issue with civil partnerships and agree that homosexual feelings are acceptable- but insist they must live celibate lives.
  2. Quakers (protestants) fully support homosexual couples and civil partnerships
  3. Catholics cannot support civil partnerships as it would confuse ideas, seeing as they do not endorse homosexual sex.
3. Quakers have no issue with homosexual sex, as long as it is used as part of a loving and committed relationship rather than in a selfish and/or destructive manner.
  1. "Love thy neighbour" (Mark 12:31)
4. Anglicans disagree with homosexual sex as they argue that the bible clearly states that homosexual sex is not ok.
  1. "Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable."

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