Theme A: Relationships & Families

• Homosexual: To be attracted to the same sex.
• Heterosexual: To be attracted to the opposite sex.
• Arguments for Homosexuality:

  • If it doesn't harm anyone, it is their personal decision and should be allowed.
  • Homosexuals can reproduce with the aid of medical science.
  • It is not an evil as homosexuals are created like that.
  • Jesus preached about love and compassion.
  • Jesus never mentioned anything about homosexuality.
  • The Gospel says 'God is love', so we should love everyone.
  • God is omnibenevolent.
• Arguments against Homosexuality:

  • It goes against natural law as the human body is designed for procreation.
  • The Old Testament and St Paul say it is wrong.
  • The Islamic Shari'ah law says it is punishable by death.
  • The story of Lot/Lut is in the Old Testament and Qu'ran. It presents homosexuality as a moral evil.
  • In Islam, homosexuality led to Sudan being destroyed.
• Promiscuity: Sexual relations with multiple partners on a casual basis.
• Adultery: A married person having sexual relations with someone other than their spouse.
• Celibacy: Refraining from sexual relations.
• Chastity: Being sexually pure (waiting until marriage to have sex).
• Polygamy: Being married to more than one person.
• Cohabitation: Living together as if married. However, as the couple do not have a marriage licence, they do not have the same legal rights as a married couple.
• Cohabitation:

  • Accepted in the modern world as people should live in a way that makes them happy.
  • However, some people see it as 'living in sin' as the relationship is 'unofficial.'
• Polygamy:

  • Illegal in the UK.
  • Under the Islamic Shar'iah law, polygamy is allowed under certain circumstances.
  • Some Muslims marry 'Islamically'. No British marriage license is signed, allowing several marriages. However, this is not recognised under the British law, so the couples have no legal protection.
  • Prophet Muhammed allowed this as many women were widows at the time. Rather than leaving them unprotected, polygamy was condoned.
  • The man must seek consent from his first wife, treat his wives the same, spend time and bring up children which each one and financially support them all.
• Traditional Christian Views on Sexual Relations:

  • Marriage before sex. Catholics believe that every sexual act must be within marriage.
  • Chastity is a virtue.
  • Celibacy is practised in monastic life and priesthood.
  • Your body is a temple, so you should save it for someone special.
  • The Ten Commandments say adultery is wrong. Jesus says this includes even a lustful look.
  • Marriage is a sacrament.
  • Re-marrying after a divorce is a sin.
  • As homosexual sex is unatural, people can be gay but shouldn't have sex.
• Modern Christian Views on Sexual Relations:

  • Sex before marriage is acceptable if the couple have the intention of getting married.
  • Unhappy couples are allowed to divorce and re-marry.
  • Quakers and the Metropolitan Church fully accept homosexual relationships.
• Islamic Views on Sexual Relations:

  • Sex before marriage (Zina) is haram.
  • Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said sex is special within marriage. It is pleasurable and provides the blessing of children if the couple wishes.
  • Marriage and having children is a religious duty.
  • Adultery is a serious sin.
  • Muslims should avoid temptation.
• Buddhist Views on Sexual Relations:

  • Sex is about desire and craving (tanha), which both prevent enlightenment.
  • Buddhism has a strong tradition of celibacy.
  • Sex is natural but a rewarding part a loving relationship, so chastity is encouraged.
  • The Five Precepts say to avoid sexual immorality, including adultery.
  • Sex before marriage and homosexuality are accepted as they are parts of a loving relationship.
• Hindu Views on Sexual Relations:

  • Hindus can only have sex in the married house-holder stage. In the other stages, men should remain celibate.
  • No sex before marriage.
  • Hinduism advises commitment, respect and faithfulness for homosexuality.
  • Sex is essential to building intimacy and well-being.
  • Chastity is important, so a person's only sexual partner should be their spouse.
  • Adultery goes against the virtues self-discipline and respect.
  • Hindus are encouraged to refrain from having sex on 208 days (including festivals and holy days) to help spiritual progress and their focus on God.
• Jewish Views on Sexual Relations:

  • The Torah says women are made to be human's companion, so men and women are expected to marry.
  • Sex within marriage is for pleasure and having children.
  • Humans are to be fruitful and multiply. Celibacy within marriage isn't recommended.
  • Over time, Judaism has moved away from literal interpretations of the Torah. Even if the Torah says something is wrong, it may be acceptable in some parts of Judaism. For example, commited homosexual relationships.
• Sikh Views on Sexual Relations:

  • Sex is a gift from God, but only within marriage.
  • Sex before marriage is wrong.
  • Married life is common.
  • Chastity is highly valued before and within marriage as it shows self-control.
  • Most Sikhs see homosexuality as wrong as it doesn't follow the example of the Gurus.
  • Some Sikhs accept homosexuality as part of what God has created in a person.
  • Adultery is wrong (haumai).
• Contraception: The deliberate prevention of pregnancy through natural or artificial methods. It allows couples to have a sexual relationship without getting pregnant or spreading STDs.
• Procreation: The religious idea that sex should only be for producing children.
• Conception: The moment that the sperm fertilises an egg, creating an embryo.
• Family Planning: When a couple controls how many children they are going to have.
• Artifical Methods of Contraception:

  • Birth control
  • Condom
  • Femidom
  • Pill
  • Coil
  • Sterlilisation
• Natural Methods of Contraception:

  • Rhythm
  • Withdrawal
• Christain Views on Contraception:

  For:

  • Sex is also an expression of love, so contraception can be used if a couple doesn't want children. (Liberal Protestants)
  • Family planning allows families to provide for their children.

  Against:

  • Sexual acts should open the possibility of a new life. Therefore, only natural contraception is okay as conception is still possible. (Catholics)
  • Contraception encourages promiscuity.
• Muslim Views on Contraception:

  • Allah will give people strength to cope with any children they have.
  • Allah does not want to make life more difficult.
  • However, Muslims can and should use contraception as part of responsible parenting.
• Buddhist Views on Contraception:

  • Contraception is allowed to limit family size.
• Hindu Views on Contraception:


  • Hindus encourage contraception and family planning.
  • However, some Hindus believe that a son is required to carry out religious rituals.
  • This may lead to less use of contraception to have a son.
• Jewish Views on Contraception:

  • Orthodox Jews accept contraception.
  • The pill is used as it does not waste the seed, which is forbidden in the Torah.
• Sikh Views on Contraception:

  • Sikhs follow responsible parenting.
  • Contraception is allowed.
• Same-Sex Marriage:


  • Legally protected by civil partnership or in a registry office (marriage).
  • However, many religions still do not accept it.
  • Some religions accept that people are gay but believe they should refrain from sexual relationships.
  • As same-sex couples cannot have a child naturally, some people question the need for a sexual relationship.
  • However, same-sex couples can now have children through the aid of medical science if they wish.
• Modern Attitudes to Sexual Relations:

  • Homosexuality is more acceptable. It used to be illegal to be gay.
  • Many people do not get married anymore.
  • Divorce rates are much higher.
• Christain Marriage

  • Marriage is a gift from God and a symbol of Christ's relationship with the Church.
  • The vows represent the nature of marriage (love and respect, good and bad times, being faithful to each other and lasting life-long).
  • The rings symbolise the everlasting aspect of marriage. Love, like God, is eternal and only death can end this contract.
  • It provides stability and security to both the couple and their children.
  • The purpose of marriage is to create a family. This makes society strong.
  • Marriage builds self-esteem and value.
  • It shows the couple's love and commitment.
• Islamic Marriage

  • Marriage is both the joining of two individuals and two families.
  • A successful marriage is the basis of a successful society as the couple treats each other with love, respect and kindness, so the children will learn this behavior.
  • The dowry shows the respect the groom has for the bride.
  • A marriage contract (Nikkah) is signed, which outlines what each person expects from the marriage, and what their rights are.
  • The signing of the contract shows the couple is together freely. They must be faithful to eachother.
  • Sex and children are only acceptable through marriage.
• Buddhist Marriage

  • Marriage is a cultural act, not religious, but there are some common rituals.
  • It is seen as social good.
  • The vows (being loving, kind, considerate and faithful) set the tone of the relationship.
  • In traditional Eastern Buddhist countries, the wife must perform household duties, be hospitable, protect and invest earnings. The husband must delegate domestic duties and provide gifts.
  • As Buddhism doesn't have a set of rules for marriage, relations between married couples varies in the West.
• Hindu Marriage

  • Marriage is scared and considered one of the spiritual stages in life. It is the commitment of two souls to live together and produce children.
  • During the ceremony, the bride's parents give her away to the groom. The groom's family accepts the bride as their daughter and the couple take a vow in the presence of witnesses, the sacred fire (Agni) and God.
  • The most important part is walking around Agni and the seven steps. Each step has a message for the couple to sustain their marriage.
  • Blessings are given to the couple from parents, elders and witnesses.
• Jewish Marriage

  • A veil is placed over the bride's face to show that the groom will protect his wife.
  • Wine is drunk to show that the couple is at the beginning of building their marriage. Creating success is hard and needs to be worked for.
  • Rings are exchanged. They are undecorated to symbolise the hope in a harmonious marriage.
  • The groom crushes a glass under his foot to reflect the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
  • The marriage contract (Ketubah) is signed in which the couple pledges faithfulness and procreation.
• Sikh Marriage

  • The ceremony is named 'Anand Karaj' or 'ceremony of happiness'.
  • The couple becomes 'one spirit in two bodies'.
  • A hymn with four verses is read by the granthi. It is called Lavan which means 'joining together'.
  • The bride and groom circle the Guru Granth Sahib for each verse and bow to show they've accepted the advice.
  • This is the internal symbol of the couple now being together.
• Roles in Marriage

  • Marriage vows help us understand the roles within marriage
  • People promise to be good to each other, be faithful, love and cherish and support each other through the good and bad until death.
  • The intention of marriage is to make a life-long commitment to someone.
  • Roles include looking after the household and finances.
  • Nowadays, it is often based on what works for the couple rather than what society thinks.
  • Money can affect this decision.