Theme A: Relationships and families

They must be able to explain contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to the
main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and one or more other religious traditions:

● Contraception.
● Sexual relationships before marriage.
● Homosexual relationships.

Sex, marriage and divorce

● Human sexuality including: heterosexual and homosexual relationships.

Reasons for:

- “Man was made in the image of God” (Gen 1:27) - we should be able to love each
other equally
- “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) - love is the most important aspect of
marriage

Reasons against:

- “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28) “Every sex act must remain open to the
transmission of life” (Humanae Vitae) - homosexual relationships cannot produce
children
- Nuclear family is the foundation for society

● Sexual relationships before and outside of marriage.

- Extramarital sex is adultery “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14)
- Catholics: sex before marriage is unlawful “You shall not commit adultery”
(Exodus 20:14) as anyone who looks at a woman unlawfully if they’re not married
commits adultery in his heart
- Church of England: it’s accepted in committed relationships

● Contraception and family planning

Some Christians accept contraception:

- Better for parents to plan the timing of the number of children

- Most loving option for parents (“Love thy neighbour as yourself” Mark 12:31)

Some Christians reject contraception:

- “Every sex act must remain open to the transmission of life” Humanae Vitae,
we’re interfering with God’s plan and the purpose of sex is reproduction
- Conservative Christians believe contraception makes sexual immorality more
likely as there are no repercussions
- “You are God’s temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16) - Don’t mess with this body
 ● The nature and purpose of marriage:

Nature:

- It’s a sacrament for Christians

- It’s a gift from God
- It’s monogamous

Purpose:

- Procreation and raising a family “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28)
- Symbolises relationship between Jesus and Church
- To show love

● Same-sex marriage and cohabitation.

Reasons for cohabitation:

- Divorce is messy and expensive

- “Test the milk before you buy the cow” (Sentamu)

Reasons against cohabitation:

- Sex should only take place within marriage and cohabitation may not count
- Atheists believe believe marriage provides stability

● Divorce, including reasons for divorce, and remarrying:

Reasons for divorce:

- Falling out of love

- Cheating spouse
- Abuse

Reasons for remarriage:

- Falling in love again

- Security provided to existing children

● Ethical arguments related to divorce, including those based on the sanctity of

marriage vows and compassion.

Against divorce:

- Catholicism: Marriage is a sacrament and the vows have sanctity (it is a sin to
break something holy) “Til death do us part” (Marriage vows)
- “What god has joined together, let no one separate” (Mark 10:6-9)
- “Become one flesh” (Mark 10:6-9) → sacred

For divorce:

- Church of England: more compassionate to allow people to end unhappy marriage

- Jesus allowed divorce for adultery
Families and gender equality
● The nature of families, including:
○ the role of parents and children
- Provide basis for stable society
- Parents: look after children, care for them and teach them
- Children: obey parents and look after them in old age “obey your
parents” - Ephesians 6:1

○ extended families and the nuclear family:

- Nuclear: 2 parents and biological/adopted children
- Extended: extra relatives (grandparents)
- Blended: children from previous marriages included

● The purpose of families, including:

○ procreation: “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28)
○ stability and the protection of children
○ educating children in a faith “bring them up in the training and instruction
of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1)

● Contemporary family issues including:

○ same-sex parents
○ Polygamy (Islam)

● The roles of men and women

Sexist views:

- Catholics: “Wives be subject to your husbands” (Ephesians 5:22) - husbands are

in charge of their wives
- Some believe women should focus on motherhood due to important female
maternal figures (Mary)

Non-sexist views:

- Church of England: “Man was made in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27) - men
and women are equal in God’s sight
- Women allowed to become priests since 1994 (Church of England)

● Gender equality.
● Gender prejudice and discrimination, including examples
- Catholicism: Catholic women cannot become priests
- “Woman should remain silent in Churches” (Timothy 2:12)
Quotes:

- “Man was made in the image of God” (Gen 1:27)

- “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28
- “Every sex act must remain open to the transmission of life” (Humanae Vitae)
- “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14)
- “You are God’s temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
- “What god has joined together, let no one separate” (Mark 10:6-9)
- “Become one flesh” (Mark 10:6-9)
- “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1)
- “Wives be subject to your husbands” (Ephesians 5:22)
- “Woman should remain silent in Churches” (Timothy 2:12)
- “Test the milk before you buy the cow” (Sentamu)