Relationship and familys

• Human sexuality

  How people express themselves as sexual beings
• In Britain, sex before marriage, having children outside of marriage, and open homosexual relationships have become more common
• The age of consent (when legally old enough to freely agree have sex) is 16
• Heterosexual relationships

  Relationships between members of the opposite sex
• Christianity and Islam views on heterosexual relationships

  • Regarded as natural, part of God's plan for humanity
• Homosexual relationships

  Relationships between members of the same sex
• Some Christians and most Muslims think homosexual relationships are against God's will
• In Britain, homosexual couples can now legally marry
• Genesis 2:24 [NIV]: 'That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.'
• Hadith: 'Marry those who are single among you for [God] will develop their moral traits (through marriage].'
• Qur'an 26:165-166: 'Must you, unlike [other] people, lust after males and abandon the wives that God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds.'
• The Catholic Church teaches that homosexuals are not sinful, but should remain chaste (not have sex) to avoid sinful acts
• Many Muslims also believe that homosexuals should control their actions and not break God's law
• Some Muslims agree with more liberal Christians who accept homosexual relationships that are loving and committed
• The Church of England welcomes homosexuals living in committed relationships, but does not allow marriage in church
• The Anglican and Catholic Churches and Islam teach that sex before marriage (sex between two single unmarried people) is wrong
• All religions teach that sex outside marriage or adultery (voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their husband or wife) is wrong
• In Britain, sex before marriage is widely accepted, but many people, religious and non-religious, think that adultery is wrong because it involves lies, secrecy and betrays trust
• 1 Corinthians 6:18-19 [NIV]: '... whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit...'
• Some liberal Christians think that sex before marriage can be a valid expression of love for each other, particularly if the couple are intending marriage
• Exodus 20:14 [NIV]: 'You shall not commit adultery.'
• Matthew 5:27-28 [NIV]: 'Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'
• Muslims believe sex is a gift from God that must be managed responsibly within marriage
• Under Islamic law (Shari'ah), sex before marriage is considered a serious sin, like adultery and rape
• Hadith: 'A man should not stay with a woman in seclusion unless he is a Dhu-Mahram (relative].'
• Qur'an 17:32: 'And do not go anywhere near adultery: it is an outrage, and an evil path.'
• There are three types of contraception: artificial (e.g. condoms, the pill), natural (e.g. the rhythm method) and permanent (sterilisation)
• In Britain, there is widespread acceptance of contraception to help family planning, prevent unwanted pregnancies, reduce global overpopulation and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections
• Most Christians and Muslims accept family planning (controlling how many children a couple has and when they have them) in certain circumstances, but not to prevent having children altogether
• Catholic and Orthodox Christian views on contraception

  • Artificial contraception goes against natural law/purpose of marriage and can encourage selfishness/infidelity
  • The purposes of sex (having children and expressing love) should not be separated
  • 'Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life.' (Humanae Vitae, 1968)
• Anglican and non-conformist Christian views on contraception


  • People should only have as many children as they can care for
  • Allow contraception to enable couples to develop relationship first/space out pregnancies to avoid harming mother's health
  • The Anglican Lambeth Conference approved artificial contraception used 'in the light of Christian principles (1930)
• Muslim attitudes towards contraception

  • Contraception is not for unmarried people, but may be used for family planning, e.g. if a wife's health is at risk, to space out pregnancies or to avoid serious financial difficulties
  • Some prefer natural methods, but artificial contraception is fine as long as it does not cause an abortion or prevent children altogether (permanent forms)
• Qur'an 4:28: 'God wishes to lighten your burden; man was created weak.'
• Some Muslims think contraception goes against God's will and God gives people strength to cope with any children
• Quran 17:31: 'Do not kill your children for fear of poverty-we shall provide for them and for you - killing them is a great sin.'
• Marriage is a legal union between a man and a woman (or in some countries, including the UK, two people of the same sex) as partners in a relationship
• A civil partnership is a legal union of same-sex couples (2004)
• Same-sex marriage is marriage between partners of the same sex (2014)
• Cohabitation refers to a couple living together and having a sexual relationship without being married to one another
• Christian beliefs about the nature and purpose of marriage

  • Marriage is a gift from God at creation/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 till death
  • It is a spiritual bond of trust that reflects the love of Christ for the Church