cohabitation

Q: What is cohabitation?

A: Cohabitation – A couple living together before / without being married.

Q: What does the Qur’an teach about cohabitation? Oppsoing

A: ‘Remain chaste until marriage’ (Qur’an) – Muslims are against cohabitation. The Qur’an teaches to ‘remain chaste until marriage’. This means that Muslim couples must wait until they are married before living together.

Q: How does St Paul’s teaching on passion relate to cohabitation? Oppose

A: ‘It is better to marry than to burn with passion’ (St Paul) – Catholics traditionally oppose cohabitation. They believe that you must wait until you are married before living together and having a sexual relationship.

Q: What does St Paul say about sexual immorality in relation to cohabitation? Oppose

A: ‘Flee from sexual immorality’ (St Paul) – Cohabitation can lead to sex before marriage, which many view as sinful.

Q: How does Joseph Fletcher’s situational ethics support cohabitation? Support

A: ‘Love’s decisions are made situationally’ (Joseph Fletcher) – Liberal Christians may believe that cohabitation can be allowed if the couple are in a loving and committed relationship. It is the nature and the quality of the relationship that matters. St Paul wrote to ‘do everything in love’ – if it is a loving and committed relationship, they can cohabit.

Q: What is the Church of England’s view on cohabitation? Support

A: ‘Trial run before marriage’ (Church of England) – The Church of England allows cohabitation as a ‘trial run’ before committing to marriage. They would allow cohabitation in certain circumstances e.g. when the couple intend to marry. Martha Gill has suggested cohabitation reduces the number of marriages ending in divorce.