Theme A

Christian attitudes to homosexual relationships

• Catholic church would say homosexual relationships are wrong as they can’t produce children but it is not sinful to have inclination as long as it is not acted upon

• C of E welcomes homosexual couples to their churches, though there is debate on whether they can be married in a church

• Many think Bible should be interpreted in a modern context

Islamic attitudes to homosexual relationships

• In most Islamic countries homosexuality is against the law and sometimes carries grave punishments

• Some would say they are against Allah’s will + inclinations should not be acted upon/are haram → believe it is a choice to act on them, not to be gay

• Some are accepting — Mosque Initiative works towards ending stigma

Muslim attitudes to sex before marriage

• Casual sex is wrong + a slippery slope — leads to promiscuity, rape + deception

• Sex is a gift from God and it binds a relationship

• Children have the right to be born inot a family

• Qur’an states it is wrong — under Shari’ah law it is Zinah

Christian attitudes to sex before marriage

• Sex requires the commitment of marriage as it is meaningful → only marriage is the right environment for it

• Chastity is important — must be pure for husband/wife

• Others believe sexual relationships can occur in committed relationships even without marriage + it is a valid expression of their love for each other

• Liberal approach that adapts in order to make the faith more “compatible” with the modern world

Christian attitudes to sex outside marriage

• Wrong as it involves secrecy, lies + betrayal of trust

• Breaks the promise Christian couples make before God

• Threatens relationship between parents that is needed for childrens’ stability

Muslim attitudes to sex outside marriage

• Considered a serious sin

• Betrayal of trust + goes against promise made at wedding

• Some countries → punishment for adultery is death by stoning

Christian attitudes to contraception

• All churches agree children are a gift from God

• All accept that there are situations where avoiding bringing kids into the world is acceptable

• Some churches do not all agree on the methods couples use to limit their families

  → Catholic + Orthodox churches against artificial contraception as God’s purpose for marriage is to have a family

  → Sinful as the couple are not being open to new life + are preventing God’s plan

Muslim attitudes to contraception