RE Relationships and Families

What are the different Christian views on homosexuality?

Catholics - it's not a sin in itself but homosexual activity is, so they believe homosexuals should remain celibate
Evangelical Protestants - it is a sin but can be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit
Liberal Protestants - accept homosexual relationships as long as they are loving and committed

Christian reasons against homosexuality

Sex between two men is forbidden in the Bible
"You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination" Leviticus 18:22
The Bible also says that the sexually immoral including "men who have sex with men" will not inherit the kingdom of God. Corinthians
Homosexual relationships go against the natural law as they can't produce children

Christian reasons for homosexuality

The belief that Christians should love and accept everyone since Jesus teaches agape (unconditional love)
"Love thy neighbour"
Jesus never condemned homosexuality

What are the different Muslim views on homosexuality?

Most Muslims - it's against God's will and is forbidden. They believe homosexuals should stay celibate and not break God's law or be forced to answer to God on Judgement Day
Some Muslims - like liberal Protestants they allow homosexual relationships as long as they are loving and committed

Muslims reasons against homosexuality

The Qur'an and Hadith teach that homosexuality is against God's will and is forbidden
"Must you, unlike people, lust after males and abandon the wives that God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds" Qur'an
Homosexual relationships go against the natural law as they can't produce children, therefore are not what God intended

Muslim reasons for homosexuality

Islam is a religion of tolerance
Many modern Muslims value Allah's teachings of equality and accept homosexuality
It is mentioned very little in their holy texts

Philosophical and ethical reasons for homosexuality

The UK law says homosexuality is legal, and if it's legal then it's acceptable
Love is love, it doesn't matter who it's between
People have free will and can do what they want
Utilitarianism - if it makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone, then it's fine

Non-religious views on sex before marriage

Most accept it as long as sex is consensual, safe and follows the law

Non-religious views on sex outside of marriage

Seen as bad by most non-religious people because it hurts people and often causes unhappiness

What is the Catholic view on sex and marriage generally?

Sex should only take place within marriage because they share a common purpose, to be faithful and fruitful so they should always go together. This is why they are against sex before marriage
"Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband" Corinthians

What is the liberal Protestant view on sex before marriage?

It is acceptable as long as the couple are in a loving relationship and intend to marry. They also accept cohabitation because Jesus taught that love is what mattered most

What is the Christian view on sex outside of marriage?

It is morally wrong because it breaks the vows that Christian couples make before God and threatens the stable relationship needed for their child's safety. It also goes against the Ten Commandments
"You shall not commit adultery"

What is the Muslim view on sex before marriage?

Muslims believe sex is a gift from God that can only take place within marriage. It's an act of worship that fulfils emotional and physical needs. The Qur'an forbids sex before marriage
"The only way to protect all within society is to maintain a society where only a man and his wife share the act of sex" Hadith

What is the Muslim view on sex outside of marriage?

The Qur'an forbids adultery
"And do not go anywhere near adultery: it is an outrage and an evil path"
Married couples should not have to go outside of marriage for fulfillment

What is the main Catholic view on contraception?

-Artificial contraception goes against natural law and defeats the purpose of marriage
-Allows humans to play God and control the creation of life
-The purposes of sex (to be faithful and fruitful) should not be separated
-Using it is intrinsically evil, regardless of the consequences
"Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life" Humanae Vitae
-Allow rhythm method and withdrawal method because there is still a possibility of preganancy

What quotation do Catholics use as evidence about contraception?

"He spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the Lord's sight; so the Lord put him to death also" Genesis
Could be interpreted as God condemning the withdrawal method of contraception, or it could be God condemning adultery

What are the exceptions to the main Catholic view on contraception?

-The Church does not condemn the use of the pill is if it is being used for other reasons like to control periods. The same goes with condoms if they are being used to prevent STD's
-Some think all contraception is fine because there is so little scripture on it, most of which are actually referring to abortion
-It is only spoken about by the Pope, not Jesus

What is the Protestant view on contraception?

-Prefer all non-abortive forms of contraception
-People should have as many children as they can care for
-Children should be wanted and planned
-Sex is one of God's great gifts and couples should be able to have sex without fear of pregnancy to become a stronger family and have a better marriage
-Morality comes from people and their conscience, not outside teachings so people should use contraception as their conscience dictates

What are the different Muslim views on contraception?

-It may be used to protect the health of the mother, to space out pregnancies and to avoid financial difficulties
-Some prefer natural methods but artificial contraception is fine as long as it is not abortive or permanent
-Some Muslims think it goes against God's will and God gives people the strength to cope with any children

Muslim reasons against contraception

It goes against God's will and God gives people the strength to cope with any children
"Do not kill your children for fear of want" Qur'an
This quote is about killing infants once they are born, but some argue it also applies to contraception
Family and children are important in Islam and contraception prevents this

Muslim reasons for contraception

There are no direct teachings in the Qur'an
"Allah wishes to lighten your burden; man was created weak" Qur'an
This could show that God does not want to make life difficult for people so would accept contraception
Muhammad is said to have known of and supported the withdrawal method. If artificial contraception had existed at the time, he would have allowed that too

What do both Christians and Muslims believe about marriage?

-The purpose of marriage is to provide a stable, secure environment for family life
-Marriage is the proper place to enjoy sex, raise children in a religious faith and provide lifelong support and companionship for a partner

What is the Christian view on marriage?

-Marriage is a gift from God and part of the natural law
-It is a sacrament / a lifelong union blessed by God that reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus
-It is a covenant (agreement) before God in which the couple promises to live faithfully until death
-It is a spiritual bond of trust that reflects the love of Christ for the Church
"A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh"

What is the Muslim view on marriage?

-Marriage is a faithful, loving commitment and an equal partnership under God
-It is a social contract that brings two families together, impacting the whole community
-It helps people develop spiritually by avoiding sexual sin and by adding value to worship
"There is no institution in Islam more beloved and dearer than marriage" Hadith
-Marriages can be arranged but young people have the right to refuse. Forced marriages are not allowed
"If a man gives his daughter in marriage while she is adverse to it then such a marriage is invalid" Hadith

What are the different religious views on cohabitation?

Catholics and Muslims - oppose cohabitation as they believe sex should only take place within marriage
Liberal Protestants - believe that whilst marriage is best, people may cohabit in a faithful, loving and committed way without being married

What are the different religious views on same-sex marriage?

Islam - forbids homosexual relationships so are against it
Christianity - many Christians are opposed to it because they think it changes the nature of marriage but some, like Liberal Protestants, think it's fine. The law protects Churches that oppose same-sex marriage and they are not forced to conduct it against their beliefs

What is the Catholic view on divorce and remarriage?

-They don't allow divorce or remarriage
-They do allow annulments if a partner was too young, or if the marriage wasn't consummated etc.
-Allow legal separation to protect individuals in cases of abuse and violence

What is the Liberal Protestant view on divorce and remarriage?

-Allow divorce if it is the lesser of two evils and the option that will cause the least damage
-Allow remarriage because Jesus preached forgiveness so couples should be allowed a second chance for happiness

Christian reasons against divorce and remarriage

-Jesus taught that anyone who divorced and remarried was committing adultery
"Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her."
-Marriage vows made in God's presence should be kept
-The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament that is permanent and cannot be dissolved

Christian reasons for divorce and remarriage

"If a man divorces his wife for any cause other than unchastity he involves her in adultery"
-This shows that divorce is acceptable in some situations
-Jesus preached forgiveness so couples should be allowed to remarry

What is the Muslim view on divorce and remarriage?

-The Qur'an encourages the couple to reconcile their differences
-The Qur'an guarantees the rights of both men and women to divorce, but divorce is "hateful to Allah" Hadith
-They have a process for divorce called the Iddah
-After this the couple can remarry and are encouraged to so particularly if there are children involved
-Assets must be shared equally and the husband is not allowed to leave his wife destitute or in financial difficulty
-The husband must support his children in all cases

What happens in the Iddah?

-The husband must declare his intention to divorce to his wife, then declare it three times over three months
-During this time, the couple continue to live together but don't have sex. This is to prevent pregnancies or allow time for a pregnancy to be discovered. If the wife is pregnant, the couple will stay together until the baby is born
-The couple must try to reconcile and their families must help them

What is the role of parents and children in Christianity?

-Christian parents raise their children in the Christian faith, teaching them to pray. Some parents send their children to religious schools
-Parents teach children right from wrong and pass on values such as generosity, compassion and tolerance, enabling them to form loving relationships

What is the role of parents and children in Islam?

-Muslims bring up children in the faith of Islam: how to pray, keep halal food laws and live a good Muslim life
-They support children in finding a suitable marriage partner
-They send children to a madrassah (mosque school) to learn how to read the Qur'an in Arabic

What is a similarity between the role of parents and children in Christianity and Islam?

Both Christian and Muslim children are expected to respect and obey their parents, and care for them when they are old

What is the Christian view on the nature of families?

-In Biblical times, people lived in extended families through which the religion, customs and traditions were passed to the next generation
-Christians must "love one another" (John) and it is in the family that Christians learn to love
"Honour your father and mother" Exodus

What is the Muslim view on the nature of families?

-The extended family is the basis of Islamic society, part of God's plan for humanity
-The family shapes the moral values and character of children
-Muslims care for elderly parents with kindness and respect because they did the same for them when they were young. Qur'an

What are the religious views on polygamy?

Christianity - there are examples of polygamy in the Bible but Christians generally believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman
"Each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband"
Islam - allows polygamy with the consent of the first wife but only if a husband is able to support, love and treat all wives equally
However polygamy is illegal in Britain

What are the religious views on same-sex parents?

Some Christians believe that the ideal is for children to grow up with a male and female role model as parents
Other Christians believe that it is more important for children to be in a secure and loving family, regardless of the gender of the parents
Muslims oppose it because they believe homosexuality is morally wrong so same-sex parents wouldn't be setting a good example for their children

What do both Muslims and Christians believe about the purpose of families?

-The family is the main building block of society where procreation takes place
-Families create stability, safety and security
-An important purpose of family is the protection of children
-Another purpose is educating children in their faith

What are the Christian beliefs on the purpose of families?

-The family provides stability because it is where people learn to live as a community: parents teach children right from wrong and how to get along with others
-They believe God reveals himself as Father, with Jesus his Son and humankind as children, so the idea of family is very important
-The family reflects Christ's relationship with the Church
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her"

What are the Muslim beliefs about relationships in the family?

-The Qur'an addresses married people as "guarded" and "protected", as if their relationship is like a fortress protecting them from sin, loneliness and danger
-Muslims have a responsibility to care for their elderly parents, so many have them living with them
"He who is good to his parents, blessings be upon him" Hadith

What are Christian beliefs about children in the family?

-Parents and children have responsibilities to each other. Children have duties to obey, love and respect their parents for their care
"Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old" Proverbs
-Children are gifts from God so parents must respect their dignity
-Christian parents are expected to be good role models, teach children their faith, pray with them, teach them moral values and nurture their spiritual lives

What are Muslim beliefs about children in the family?

-Children have a duty to respect their parents, even in adulthood. The Qur'an teaches that to be unkind or disrespectful to one's parents is a great sin
-Children are a blessing from God
-Parents have a duty to provide a stable environment and raise their children to be good Muslims
"Honour your children and perfect their manners" Hadith

What is the Catholic view on gender equality?

-Men and women are equal but different
-Marriage is an equal partnership
-Women can perform all the same roles as men in the Church apart from ordained priesthood because Jesus only chose males to be Church leaders

What is the liberal Protestant view on gender equality?

-Men and woman are seen as equal
-Marriage is seen as an equal partnership
-They allow female ministers

What is the Evangelical Protestant view on gender equality?

-Men and women are equal but different
-They think husbands should rule over their wives
-Women should mainly stay at home and care for their children
-Only men can be Church leaders and teachers

Christian reasons for gender equality

"All people are created equal in the image of God" Genesis
Jesus respected woman, welcomed them as disciples and showed they were capable of more than domestic tasks (Luke)
"Love thy neighbour" means that discrimination is wrong and all people are equal and equally deserving of love
"There is neither...male and female for you all one in Christ Jesus"

Christian reasons against gender equality

Some traditional Christians interpret Bible texts literally
"Wives should submit to their husbands in everything"
"The head of a wife is her husband"

How are men and women treated equally in Islam?

-Islamic law recognises the full property rights of women before and after marriage. A wife can keep her maiden name and be financially supported
-Men and women should be educated equally and share equal responsibility for bringing up children
"The search for knowledge is a duty of every Muslim, male or female"
-Men and women should work
-Both are required to dress modestly

Muslim reasons for gender equality

-God created all people equal, from single soul and with the same spiritual human nature (Qur'an)
-Men and women have the same religious and moral responsibilities, and will be rewarded by God for their good deeds (Qur'an)

How are men and women treated differently in Islam?

-All Muslims must dress modestly but for women there are different interpretations of this such as the hijab, the burqa ( as Muhammad's wife covered her hair) or just a bare head. However this is more of a cultural difference than a religious one and, for most Muslim women, covering their hair empowers them and they are proud of showing their faith
-Men are required to go the Mosque on Fridays but women aren't (many still choose to)
-They worship separately but follow the same Imam
-Women are free to work and are encouraged to since Muhammad's wife ran a successful business, but they must put family first