Marriage and the family

RS EDEXCEL GCSE CHRISTIANITY TOPIC 2

Quote showing marriage established by god

what god has joined together let no one separate

god created marriage because?

-lifelong relationship

-children brought up christian

-support and comfort of one another

(is a sacrament in roman catholicism)

marriage important why?

-created by god as a way of establishing and preserving society

-its the only acceptable way to have a sexual relationship

non religious attitudes to marriage

-up to the individual to make decision on commitment and accept cohabitation

-sex before marriage permitted

-it provides a stable legal and financial backing

-it gives a more stable family home

christian responses to non religious attitudes on marriage

Roman catholics- object cohabitation + no sex before marriage

Liberal protestants - accept cohabitation but should marry when starting a family. only accept sex befo marriage when in a committed relationship

premarital sex

sex before marriage

cohabitation

living together without marriage

extramarital sex

sex with someone other than husband or wife

non religious views on sex

-consensual

-between those of age

-adultery considered offencive

-sex should be safe

Christian views on sex

-gift from god for between man and woman

-given for joy and procreation

-all christians against adultery as stated in 10 commandments and breaks vows

-promiscuity as sinful

Christian views on homosexuality

Catholic - bible condemns homosexuality + sex should be to procreate.

Evangelical protestants - its a sin + bible condemns it + salvation can remove sin (i.e homosexuality)

LIberal protestants - acceptable and are welcomed into church - teachings need reinterpreting + christianity centered on love and acceptance

Nuclear family

married couple, opposite sex, live together w kids

blended families

2 separate families joined when parents cohabit or marry

Christian attitudes on family

-created by god as a basic unit of society and the only place where children should be brought up

-duty of teaching morals

-children have a duty to look after parents - 10 commandments

-some believe its not duty to make their children christian

-it is not a child’s duty to obey

Humanist attitudes to family

-bring up children safely and securely

-pass on moral values

-provide emotional and financial support through life

Parish

The area surrounding a local church, each having a priest or vicar.

How do local parishes help families?

-local schools connected to the church, finance the school building, provide christian teaching.

-sunday schools - children learn about christianity

-provide baptism and confirmation services

-marriage counseling services

why do parishes help families?

-it is their responsibility to support families to bring up children

-the family is where children are introduced to the faith, so helps to teach sacraments and help to grow a christian family

catholic attitude to contraception

-artificial contraceptives go against god's intentions

-contraception is a major cause of sexual promiscuity, stds and divorce rates.

-some contraceptives are abortifacient so go against the teachings of the sanctity of life

non catholic christian attitudes to contraception

-all forms of contraception acceptable as long as used to restrict family size

-contraception raises standard of living if family size is smaller and mother’s life protected

-nothing in the bible that forbids contraception

-sex should be about enjoyment and cementing marital bonds

non religious attitudes to contraception

-results in every child being a wanted child

-healthier lives for women

-situation ethics - most loving thing would be to use them to reduce risk of unwanted pregnancy, abortions and stds.

Why increase in divorce?

-new laws make cheaper and easier

-woman no longer prepared to accept unequal treatment

-women more financially stable and independent after divorce

Catholic attitudes on divorce

-does not allow divorce or remarriage as marriage is a sacrament

-the church does acknowledge civil divorce if impossible to live together but are still married in the eyes of the church.

-marks gospel, jesus taught divorce was wrong

-the couple have a covenant with god which no earthly power can break

-the catechism of the catholic church makes their beliefs about divorce clear.

quote on christian divorce attitudes

‘i tell you anyone that divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery’

non catholic christian attitudes on divorce

-most think divorce is wrong but allow if marriage has broken down.

-most churches allow remarriage but ask for repentance.

-jesus allowed divorce in matthew for adultery

-’lesser of two evils’

-christians allowed forgiveness following repentance

non religious attitudes on divorce

-all couples have right to divorce

-should make sure that financial stability is granted and children provided for

-divorcees have right to remarry

-situation ethics - look at advantages and disadvantages of divorce in specific situation and decide from that.

genesis 1 quote on role of women

so god created man in his image, in the image of god he created them; male and female he created them. (equal)

genesis 2 and 3 quote on role of women

‘i will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labour you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.’

st paul quote on role of women

‘a man should love his wife like his own body. he should feed and care for his body and so should his wife too.’

Evangelical protestant attitudes to role of women

-men and women have separate roles.

-women to bring up children and dress modestly

-men to provide for family - only men as church leaders or teachers

-adam was created before eve

-jesus’ disciples were all men

-st pauls teachings

liberal protestant attitudes on role of women

-men and women equal but separate roles

-genesis 1 teachings

-’nor is there male and female, for you are all one in jesus christ’

-jesus treating women as his equals in the gospels

catholic attitudes on role of women

that men and women should have equal roles in the family

‘may her husband put his trust in her and recognise that she is his equal’

non religious attitudes on role of women

-men and women equal

-sex discrimination act and equality act

-universal declaration of human rights - everyone equal

-women make significant political, scientific and social contributions

gender prejudice

believing one sex is superior based on feelings

gender discrimination

putting prejudice into practice and treating people differently because of sex

evangelical protestant views on gender prejudice and discrimination

-they do not view their attitudes as discriminatory because it is what god ordained in the new testament

-st paul taught that women should not teach or speak in church

-genesis teaches that men have been given more rights as it was eve who led adam astray.

catholic views on gender prejudice and discrimination

-against gender discrimination as men and women are equal

-women able to study, teach, be ministers, visit the sick and take funerals in the church

liberal protestant views on gender prejudice and discrimination

-men and women should have equal rights in society and the church

-women can be ministers, priests and bishops

-as evidence suggests female priests in the early church

what is the MOW

movement for the ordination of woman - campaigns for female ordination in the church of england

non religious attitudes to gender prejudice and discrimination

-most against sexism and promote women’s rights

-believe it is wrong for religion to discriminate against women and to refuse to ordain them

-there are still issues with gender prejudice and discrimination in society, showing many non religious people still have this mindset