Religion & Human Relationships

Christian Marriage
1. Marriage is a sacrament. This is important in Roman Catholicism
2. The words & vows emphasise the importance of marriage
3. Jesus stressed 'what God has joined together, let man not separate'
4. The bride & groom make their vows in the eyes of God & the presence of their friends & family - eg. 'for better for worse, for richer for poor, in sickness and in health, to love & to cherish, till death do us part'
5. The ring symbolises their eternal love (continuous circle)
6. Roman Catholics have a special Eucharist called a Nuptial Mass
7. The family unit is very important to Christians. They believe that children should be born within wedlock & that the best place to bring up children is marriage
Sexual Relationships
1. Christians believe sex before marriage is wrong
2. Sex is a gift from God
3. Christians believe in the importance of chastity & virginity
4. Sex is for procreation and the family unit (nuclear) is the best to bring up children
5. Promiscuity & fornication is wrong, as Christians believe 'sex is a gift from God' & it is wrong to use people
  1. Casual sex can damage lives
    1. Monogamy is important to Christians
Contraception
1. Catholics
  1. Sex is for having children but artificial methods prevent conception
    1. Only accepts the rhythm method
    2. "Be fruitful and increase in number"
  2. It should be up to God to decide how many children a couple should have, therefore contraception interferes with God's plan.
2. Quakers and Anglicans
  1. Allows artificial methods eg. condom, pill, implant etc within marriage (or a long term relationship).
    1. Also protects against STDs
    2. Benefits a relationship as allows enjoyment of sex without fear of unwanted pregnancy.
    3. It isnt necessary that every sexual act results in pregnancy.
3. 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. 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
  3. They allow annulment only.This would be for reasons such as: Not consummated the marriage or mislead (eg intentions to have children)
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. Secular society allows it- not against the law of divorce, but morals may influence
  4. Christians expect a couple to attempt reconciliation
  5. 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')
4. Although, 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
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. The Bible has a variety of passages, which condemn homosexuality- Leviticus 18:22 & 1 Corinthians
  2. Anglicans have no issue with civil partnerships and agree that homosexual feelings are acceptable- but insist they must live celibate lives.
  3. Quakers (protestants) fully support homosexual couples and civil partnerships
  4. 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"
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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