AQA Religious Studies - Relationships and Families THEME

Thematic; Paper 2. From AQA Religious studies guide

Sex - Christianity

• holy

• requires marriage

• “increase in number”

Same sex sex is forbidden

“Do not practice homosexuality […] It is a detestable sin” Leviticus 18:22

What does Hinduism think of sex?

• It’s a pleasure, part of kama

• purpose to make kids

What type of relationship is seen as ideal?

Heterosexual

Third gender?

Hirjas - men who identify as women 💀

Sex before marriage - Christianity

• Against

• “Flee from sexual immorality”

Sex before marriage - Hinduism

• Against

• Stresses celibacy in 3 of the 4 stages of life

• Shame brought on girl if had sex b4 marriage

Adultery - Christianity

• Against

• “You shall not commit adultery”

Adultery - Hinduism

• Against

• Story of Rama and Sita portrays loyalty

Contraception - Catholics

• no cuz its against natural law

• sex for baby is good else bad

Contraception - Anglicans and non-conformists

• 1930 CofE approved artificial contraception used ‘in the light of Christian Principles’

Contraception - Hindus

• cyclical life, so its ok

• baby is only born when it comes out of womb

• 3/16 samskaras before baby born though?

Contraception - Non-religious

• all good, widely accepted

Marriage - non religion

• legal union

• commitment & loyalty

• legal & financial benefits

Marriage - Hindusim

• traditionally arranged as its seen as link between families

• nowadays love marriages are common.

• Marriage is a part of the duty of the householder’s stage

Marriage - Christianity

• Gift from God and part of natural law

• covenant before God

• “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number””

Cohabitation - Christianity

• some oppose as sex only in marriage

• others accept that although marriage is best, cohabitiation is okay in a faithful, loving and commitful way as long as they intend on marriage

Cohabitation - Hinduism

• generally disapproved of

• weddings are expensive so some couples cohabit first to save money for wedding

Divorce - Christianity

• Catholics - marriage is a sacrament, it is permanent and a 2nd marriage is adultery

• Unless the marriage is annulled

• “If a man divorces his wife for any cause other than unchastity he involves her in adultery'“
  Mark 10:11 just straight up calls it bad in all cases

• Protestants & Anglicans allow it sometimes

Divorce - Hinduism

• Strong emphasis on family and dharma

• Not approved of, but sometimes reluctantly accepted

Divorce - UK

• if irretrievable breakdown of the marriage then it goes through

Marriage problems - Christianity

• councelling, prayer and sacraments

• outside agencies such as Relate and ACCORD

Marriage problems - Hinduism

• sort it out

• tolerate it

Nuclear family

• two parents and children

• fulfils god’s plan → increase in number

Extended family

• includes grandparents and other relatives

Role of parents

• encourage positive morals and values

• educate children about faith

• love and care for children

• teach children right & wrong

Role of children

• support and care for parents in old age

• Hindus to fulfil duties

• “Children, obey your parents for it pleases the Lord”

• love and respect their parents

3 purposes of family

• procreation

• stability and the protection of children

• educating children in faith

Gender inequality - UK

• Sex Discrimination Act 1975 made it illegal in the UK

Christian views - Gender inequality

• everyone created equal in the “image of god”

• “There is neither […] male and femael, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”

• Some christians think husbands rule over women based on literal interpretation of “i will make your childbearing very severe…”

• “Women should remain silent in churches […] for it is disgraceful”

Hindu views - Gender Inequality

• Traditionally 4 stages of life only applied to boys, but now girls can follow it asw

• 1947 - Gender equality in India

• Super traditional Hindu families may not like this