Theme A - Relationships & families

Human sexuality is…

The way people express themselves sexually

What is heterosexuality?

People who are sexually attracted to the opposite gender

What is homosexuality?

People who are sexually attracted to the same gender

Christian beliefs about sex & sexual relationships

→ Sex is a gift from God & therefore should be used responsibly

→ Sex is a deep expression of love that communicates commitment & devotion

→ Adultery is a sin

→ Heterosexual relationships are part of God’s plan as conveyed in genesis - “be fruitful & multiply”

Christians beliefs about homosexual relationships

→ Catholics consider homosexuality as wrong since it defies God’s plan & the purpose of sex for procreation - “be fruitful & multiply”

→ Other Christians believe that loving & committed homosexual relationships are just as important as heterosexual ones

What is cohabitation?

A couple living together & having a sexual relationship without being married

Why do some Christians disagree with sex outside of marriage?

→ Sex is a gift from God & therefore should only be used responsibly in marriage

→ It can lead to pregnancy & it is better to have a stable & committed relationship to raise the child

→ It is the most intimate expression of love & should only be performed in total commitment & devotion

→ Having sex with many people could take away its significance

→ Some view it as adultery which defies commandment " you shall not commit adultery"

→ Could confuse love for lust & Jesus taught against lust

Why do some Christians agree with sex outside of marriage?

→ It is a way to deepen & strengthen relationships

→ Adam & Eve were not married so God must not disapprove with sex outside of marriage

→ God gifted us with freewill & therefore we have the right to choose

Christians beliefs about adultery

→ It is a serious sin because it disobeys the 10 commandments - “You shall not commit adultery”

→ It breaks the bond of marriage & the vows performed before God - “till death do us part”

What is contraception?

A method used to prevent fertilisation / pregnancy

Some are also used to prevent STIs

What are the 3 main types of contraception

Barrier methods → Aim to prevent pregnancy & infection (e.g. condoms)

Hormonal methods → Aim to prevent pregnancy (e.g. the pill)

Natural family planning → Aim to spread awareness of the menstrual cycle & avoid sex during the fertile window, also can be used to help those struggling to conceive get pregnant

Why do some disagree with unnatural contraception?

(Catholics)

→ Life is a gift from God & should be welcomed & respected, not prevented

→ Can encourage promiscuity as it allows sex without consequences

→ If sex only takes place in marriage, people should not feel the need to use contraception unless for the mother’s health

Why do some agree with unnatural contraception?

→ It can prevent disease & infection

→ It can enrich relationships as the couple can be intimate with each other without the pressure of pregnancy

→ Prevents unwanted pregnancies & therefore abortion

→ Helps to combat growing population issues in some parts of the world

What is marriage?

A legal & public declaration of life-long love & commitment

What are the Christian marriage vows?

“I take you to be my husband / wife,

To have & to hold from this day forward

For better or for worse,

For richer or for poorer,

In sickness & in health,

To love & to cherish,

Till death do us part”

Christian beliefs about the nature & purpose of marriage

→ It is a sacrament, meaning that it is a sign of God’s grace & power at work in their lives

→ It is a covenant before God in which the couple promises to live faithfully together “until death do us part”

→ It is the proper setting for sex & raising children

Non-religious beliefs about the nature & purpose of marriage

→ A legal union between 2 people in a relationship

→ A solemn lifelong commitment to each other made in public

→ Provides legal & financial benefits

What is divorce?

A legal process to end the declaration of marriage

What is remarriage?

A marriage that takes place after a previous marriage has ended

What is an annulment?

A statement from the church that declares a marriage was never properly contracted

Christian beliefs about divorce & remarriage

→ Catholics believe that the sacrament & marriage vows cannot be broken “what God has joined together, let no man separate”

→ Jesus says that remarriage is a sin “whoever divorces then marries another, it is if he committed adultery”

→ Some agree with divorce & remarriage because God is all-loving & forgiving

→ Some believe that if the marriage vows are no longer true then it is better to end the marriage than to live a lie before God

Christian responses to struggling marriages

→ Some Christian Churches offer counselling & prayer to support the couple

→ Christian couples can be referred to outside agencies (e.g. Marriage Care & Relate)

What is a nuclear family?

A family unit with 2 parents & their child/children

What is a single-parent family?

A family unit with 1 parent & their child/children

What is a step-family?

2 families joined together after 1 or both partners have divorced their previous partners

What is extended family?

A family unit + relatives

(Grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles…)

What is polygamy?

Having multiple spouses

What are LGBT parents?

Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people raising a child/children as parents

Christian beliefs about the purpose of families

→ Procreation - “Be fruitful & multiply”

→ Educating children in faith - “Fathers, bring your children up in the training & instruction of the Lord”

→ Protecting & providing for children - “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, & especially for their own household, has denied the faith & is worse than an unbeliever”

Christian beliefs about the role of parents

→ Provide love & care for their children

→ Encourage positive morals & values

→ Educate their children about the faith

Christian beliefs about the role of children

→ Continue the religious traditions in the family

→ Love & respect their parents as conveyed in the 10 commandments - “honour your mother & father”

→ Care & support their parents in their old age

What is gender equality?

Giving all genders the same rights & opportunities

What is gender prejudice?

Unfairly judging someone based on their gender

What is gender discrimination?

Acting against someone due to gender prejudice

What are some examples of gender discrimination & prejudice?

→ Women can not be ordained as priests in the Catholic church

→ Some women are paid less than men for the doing the same jobs

→ In the UK, women make up half the workforce but yet men hold a much higher proportion of senior positions

Christian views about gender prejudice & discrimination

→ Everyone is created equally in Gods image - “God created mankind in his own image”

→ Jesus taught against discrimination - “Love your neighbour as yourself”

→ Catholics believe that men & women are spiritually equal but socially different - “Men & women have the same dignity but different duties”