Theme A - relationships and family AQA RS GCSE

Key Dates

Leviticus: "Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, that is detestable."
1 Corinthians 6:9-10: "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?…Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men…will inherit the kingdom of God."
Being gay isn't sinful but acting on it is.

Pope Pius: "Every sexual act must be within the framework of marriage."
Corinthians: "Whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?"
The Church opposes sex outside of marriage as the predominant reason for sex is to have children.
Exodus 20: "You shall not commit adultery."
Matthew: "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Barrier contraception not allowed: Physically interferes with sex and destroys the main purpose (to have children), which should be decided by God.
If you aren't ready for children, God won't give you a child - put trust in Him.
Artificial contraception against natural law (moral principles that are part of human nature).
Humanae Vitae: "Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating human life."
Lambeth Conference: "Other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles."
Family planning allowed (note that this doesn’t prevent STDs which challenges this teaching).
Unfair to bring a baby into life of deprivation.

Purpose: Love, Children, Legal and Financial, Lifelong Public Commitment.
Genesis: "A man leaves his mother and clings to his wife and they become one flesh."
Genesis: "Be fruitful and multiply."
Marriage vows: "In sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer to love and to cherish till death us do part."
House of Bishops: Central to the stability and health of human society.

Prevents divorce.
Encourages premarital sex.
Catechism: "The sexual act must always take place exclusively within marriage. Outside of marriage always constitutes a grave sin."

Christianity: "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her." - Mark.
Divorce not allowed in Catholic Church but annulment can be allowed (it was never a true marriage) and they can remarry.
Marriage is a sacrament.

To bring their children up in the church (Christianity).
Deuteronomy: "Impress them upon your children."
Love, care, and raise their children (teach them right and wrong).
Timothy: "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Love is at the heart of all relationships.
Exodus 20: "Honor your mother and father."

Procreation.
Stability.
Protection of children.
Building block of all societies - future generations.
Educating children in their faith.
Good role models - teaching moral values.
Ephesians: "Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
Proverbs: "Listen to your father who gave you life and do not despise your mother when she is old."
Psalm: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him."
Colossians: "Obey your parents in everything. For this pleases the Lord, do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged."

Galatians: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Mary and Martha story - respectful of women.
Genesis: "With painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

Introduction: Definition of gender discrimination (acting against someone on the basis of their gender), circumstances in religion and society where it can be acceptable but goes against human rights.
Paragraph 1: Religious and secular for different roles within the church - Christianity and Judaism, fairness in sport. However, should not be seen as discrimination, and it doesn't mean any other form of discrimination is okay.
Paragraph 2: Religious and secular - all humans are equal by God (Christianity), human rights and feminism (social impacts) - secular.

For - Religious: Parents within a religion can teach and bring them up in the faith.
Deuteronomy: "Impress them upon your children."
Psalm: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, your offspring a reward from Him."
Selfless love teaching in the Bible 'agape' (given by Jesus in the last supper) suggests sexual orientation of children is irrelevant as long as they are providing a nurturing home.
More liberal Christians support same-sex parenting (United Reform) - importance of love and compassion.
Genesis: God made humans in His own image - treated equally with respect.
For - Secular: Just as good, love, thrive, teach, nurture, and nothing they can't do.
Against - Secular: Can argue that a child needs a mother and father for different purposes, misses out on a caring mother or a son could miss out on having a father figure to relate to.
Against - Religious: Christians against same-sex relationships, can't get married in some churches, goes against natural order. Genesis: Leaves his mother and clings to his wife and they become one flesh - suggests that this is ideal family for raising children, both male and female role models to develop fully.

Provide love, care, stability is not determined by sexual orientation of parents. A strong supportive family, regardless of its structure, can raise happy, well-adjusted children.