PRS - Relationships and families

Human sexuality

the ways in which we experience and express ourselves as sexual beings (homosexual and heterosexual)

Human sexuality (Christianity)

"Whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body"

Men and women should be united and "increase in number" (gods plan)

Leviticus written that men should not be in relationships "man shall not lie with another man"

Sexes made for a purpose to symbolise creation and reconciliation

Love thy neighbour -should adapt teachings, slavery disregarded

Church of England welcomes homosexuals but doesn't let them marry

Catholic Church teaches that homosexuals should remain chaste to avoid sinful acts

Human sexuality (Buddhism)

Sex not shameful or embarrassing, passions shouldn't be ignored

Sex involves tanha - wrong

5 moral precepts

Homosexual relations fine - must be loving (right intention)

All can achieve enlightenment

Dalai Lama said Buddhists should not be homosexual

Sex before marriage (Christianity)

"Whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body" "your bodies are temples of the holy spirit"

Sex shouldn't be casual and outside marriage, irresponsible (pregnancy, stds) needs to be loving

Sex is a god given gift, to unify and deepen relationship between a man and wife "every sexual act should be within the framework of marriage"

Sex should only be to procreate which should happen within marriage "increase in number"

Expression of love

Sex before marriage (Buddhism)

Not encouraged without right intention/mindfulness. Not just Tanha

Should live by five moral precepts - be respectful and loving

Breaks five moral precepts

Can corrupt consciousness (five aggregates may lead u to see people just for sex - addiction)

Can create craving and suffering

Become attached to body and self image

Not a problem as long as with the right intention

Live by five moral precepts sex must be respectful love

marriage

The legal unions of a man and woman as husband and wife.

Cohabition

Living together without being married

reasons for cohabitation

Test comparability by spending time together

Too busy/ poor to marry

beliefs about cohabition

Christian Wrong - opposed to sex before marriage "sexual act must take place exclusively within a marriage", gods plan for couples to marry living in sin if not

Modern Christians - it is ok if it is a loving relationship

Buddhism - fine as long as with the five moral precepts in mind, right intention , reduce suffering that rushing into marriage might cause

Wrong - giving into Tanha, wrong intention negative kamma

Why do people have affairs

Boredom

Unhappy in marriage/ trapped

Lust

Lonely

Revenge

Greed

Why are affairs bad

Abuses trust

Betrays loved one

Objectifies people

Destroys sacrality of sex

Causes suffering

Sex outside marriage (Christianity)

"You shall not commit adultery"

Causes pain, breaks promise to god

Sinful act separates from god

Marriage is a sacrament

Corrupts body - houses Holy Spirit + will be resurrected

We should forgive like Christ forgives us

Fault of original sin

Sex outside marriage Buddhism

Unskillful action

Causes suffering

Doesn't show compassion

Become attached to self

Paticcassampuda

Breaks five moral precepts

Gives into craving

Bad intention

Fault of three poisons

We should forgive, karuna, kamma

Contraception

Christianity - wrong - "be fruitful and increase in number"(goes against gods will/natural law) , gift from god, sanctity of life, free will, avoids suffering, disagree with coil life begins at conception

Buddhism - prevents suffering, breaks first moral precepts, free choice, dependent arising

Christianity Purpose of marriage

Sacrament a Union blessed by god's that reflects the love of jesus

Gods gift become "one flesh" and bring life into the world

Buddhism purpose of marriage

Don't have to have children

Develop strong trusting relationships that are important for well being of community due to dependent arising

Against Divorce (50% marriages)

Jesus - "anyone who divorces his wife and marrries another women committed adultery against her", sinful act separation from god. Marriage sacrament can't be broken

Buddhism - divorce last resort try to fix it with karuna, may cause suffering, dependent arising

For divorce

Christianity should reflect the forgiveness of god

Karuna compassionate action stops suffering

Buddhism and purpose of Family

Nuclear and extended family

Practice 4 sublime stated, teach good morals and values, teach Buddhists beliefs

Christian purpose of family

Nuclear family

Should raise children and teach them qualities "here one learns endurance and joy of work, love , forgiveness and above all divine worship in prayer"

Love each other, need gender role models

Where procreation takes place, respect parents "honour your father and mother"

"Anyone who does not provide for their relatives has denied the faith"

Trinity is family, god created life, loved and cared for it follow example

Children should love their parents

Christian nature of family

Men and woman raising children in the faith with love

nature of family Buddhism

Extended families, parents of any gender

gender equality

People of all genders enjoying the same rights and opportunities in all aspects of their lives

gender prejudice

the tendency to hold a hostile attitude toward an individual because of his or her gender

gender discrimination

Singling out or excluding a person based on gender

Buddhism - gender equality

Buddha ordained women

Some Buddhists believe women must be reborn as men to achieve enlightenment

Everyone equal

Christianity - gender equality

Even up to the present day, religious such as Christianity have stood accused of misogyny and of condoning prejudice, discrimination and even abuse of women.

While Christians believe that we are all made in the image of god and that god loves us equally "love thy neighbour8

, certain passages in the bible appear to suggest that women are inferior to men. - "your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you