Theme A

Explain two religious beliefs about same-sex marriage.

1) homosexuality is sinful and against natural law. ‘And with a male you shall not lie as one lies with a woman…’ (Leviticus 18:22) - Roman Catholic Church
2) marriage is for procreation - Orthodox Jews follow Genesis ‘be fruitful and multiply’
However The reasons for marriage are as valid for same-sex couples as for heterosexual couples / marriage is more than having children - liberal people

It is wrong to disapprove of homosexual relationships.’ (12)

FOR:
-Homosexual (same-sex) relationships exhibit the same characteristics found in other relationships and marriages, love, care, trust, faithfulness etc.
• ‘God is love’ so surely if any couple love each other that has to come from God.
• How can something God created be wrong? ‘and it was very good’ Genesis
• Modern day same-sex relationships are very different from the same-sex relations that are condemned in some sacred writings.
• Law in the UK permits same-sex marriages so religious believers should not be so critical, etc: ‘follow authority’, Quakers accept
AGAINST:

• Some religious people see same-sex attraction as being against natural law. - ‘be fruitful and multiply’
  • Some religious teachings condemn same-sex relationships; Leviticus religious authority cannot be explained away because it is seen as old and inconvenient.
  • In much religious thought there is great emphasis on having children, this cannot occur biologically between a same-sex couple without a surrogate or donor.
  • Much traditional religious teaching is focused on the continuation of family and communities hence the focus on heterosexuality, etc.

Explain two religious reasons given by believers to support the view that sex before marriage is wrong.

1) sex is a gift from god that should be managed responsibly - ‘one night stands’ treat sex casually and disrespectfully rather than expressing a deep life-long commitment to a partner

2) sex should be reserved for marriage only: ‘Every sexual act must be within the framework of marriage’ = BELEIF BY ROMAN CATHOLIC (not a biblical quote)

Let the marriage bed be undefiled - showing importance of purity before marriage

‘For religious believers, sexual relationships should take place only within marriage.’ (12

FOR:

• Most religions traditionally teach that all sex outside of marriage as wrong. Let the marriage bed be undefiled

• Sex is seen as an expression of what should be a deep, life-long commitment and loving union.

• Sex is seen by many religious believers as a gift of God.

• Sex is a complete self-giving of a husband and wife to each other. :‘For this reason a man will leave his mother and father and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24).

• Sex outside of marriage may have unwanted consequences. - STIs etc

• Sex outside of marriage may undermine self-respect. - one night stands

AGAINST

• Given free will so able to make own decision

• unable to be married

Explain two contrasting religious beliefs in contemporary British society about contraception. (4)

1) some religious believers believe that artifical contraception goes against natural law and prevents the will of God - Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life.’ (Humanae Vitae 1968) - Roman Catholic

2)Those who support the use of artificial contraception see it as a way of more reliably planning families / children are able to be planned making it easier for families to cope and prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections

Explain two religious beliefs about sexual relationships outside of marriage (adultery). (5)

1) Adultery breaks marriage vows made before God at the wedding

against the commandment ‘Do not commit adultery.’

threatens security of any children

Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about the nature of marriage. (4)

• ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24), etc.

• Marriage is a gift from God at creation

• part of natural law

• life-long union blessed by God + it is a covenant before God

Explain two religious beliefs about divorce. (5)

1) marriage is a life-long commitment, ‘To have and to hold from this day forward…till death do us part.’ - divorce goes against this

2) Roman Catholics do not believe in divorce and do not recognise civil divorce

3) Teaching on forgiveness often cited to support those who divorce.

let man not separate what god has joined

Religious believers should never divorce.’ (12)

FOR:

• Religious couples have made vows before God eg ‘till death us do part’, wrong to break them.

• Marriage is a sacrament / sacred bond

• bond made by God: ‘Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’

• Children may be badly affected by divorce.

• “Sanctity of marriage”. “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another (slightly different question) commits adultery.”

• ”For this reason man leaves father and mother and is joined to his wife and they become one flesh”

AGAINST:

Couples may drift apart and find they no longer love each other. -Judaism Permits divorce if a couple no longer love each other as ‘one flesh’ and attempts at reconciliation have failed

• Better for a marriage to end than for an abusive relationship to continue.

• Children may benefit from the couple splitting as greater harm may be done by them remaining in the situation eg experiencing domestic violence / drug addiction / alcoholism.
• Divorce is legal so religious believers should be allowed to do it, etc.

Explain two religious beliefs about the purpose of families. (5)

1) children have a duty to obey, love and respect their parents: ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12) or ‘Listen to your father who gave you life and do not despise your mother when she is old.

2) children should also be raised within the Christian faith: bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of parents in a religious family. (5)

1) parents should set an example to children by living the faith, participate in rites of passage ceremonies, eg. christening, confirmation,  membership ceremonies, attend church, etc - depending on denomination: ‘Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them  up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’

2) Jewish mothers have a particular role in passing their faith on to their children. - as they lead familiy celebration of Shabbat, the mother ‘watches over the affairs of the household’

‘The most important purpose of a family is to educate children in a faith.’ (12)

FOR:
• Religion is a key part of a person’s identity.
• Teaches children about their faith and gives a purpose in life.
• Way for the religion to continue

• Teaches children about service and helping others, etc.

• provides a community

AGAINST:
• Main purpose of a family is procreation. - “Be fruitful and multiply,"
• Raising children in a stable, loving environment is the most important purpose as it allows them to grow and flourish and be the people they should be.
• Family provides protection for children.
• Family may not be religious/ may not have children

• Wrong to ‘force’ religion on children

Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about the roles of men and women. (5)

1) Some traditional Christians believe that men are the head of the family and women should mainly stay at home and care for the children. ‘Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is head of the wife.’ (Ephesians 5:22)

2)Many Christians today see marriage as an equal partnership where the different gifts of the couple strengthen family life.

3) Genesis 1:27 teaches that all humans were created in the image of God so all humans should be treated equally.

Men and women should not have equal rights.’ (12)

FOR:
• women do not have equal rights in practice even if they have them - women’s pay is below that of men’s pay for similar job

• women’s place is in the
  home looking after children/looking after the household - your husband will rule over you

• some religions restrict the rights of women to initiate divorce

AGAINST:

• legislation has given women equal rights/eg Sex Discrimination Act 1975/Equal Pay Act 1970/Equality Act 2010

• religions teach that men and women are equal before
  God/salvation/enlightenment/spiritual reward open to women and
  men

• Everyone is created in the image of God and therefore equal in God’s
  sight (Genesis 1:27)

• consider marriage a partnership in which both men and women
  take equal share in family responsibilities