marriage

• Marriage


  The creation of status of husband and wife
• The Bible states that a marriage should be monogamous between a man and woman for life
• Purpose of marriage


  The procreation and education of children, and help spouses grow in spiritual perfection and make a lifelong commitment
• Importance of marriage (ceremony)

  • It is a sacrament in which God is involved
• Importance of marriage (gift)

  • Marriage is a gift from God
• Importance of marriage (security)


  • It provides security and a stable environment for children to be raised in as Christians
• Non-religious view of marriage


  A couple making a commitment to each other
• Cohabitation


  Living together without being married
• Christians don't support cohabitation because marriage provides stability and involves sacred vows made in front of God
• Mark 10: '"But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female"'
• Christian view on sex

  It is a gift from God intended for procreation and should only take place within marriage
• Some Christians believe ideas about sexual relations in modern society are outdated and love should be celebrated in whatever form it occurs
• 1 Corinthians 6: 'The body is sacred and sexual relations should not be abused'
• Non-religious view on sexual relationships

  Consenting adults should be allowed to share a sexual relationship provided it doesn't harm anyone else
• The Bible teaches that casual relationships are wrong - marriage is intended for sexual relationships
• The Bible teaches that adultery is forbidden in the 10 Commandments which are rules from God
• The Bible teaches that homosexual acts are 'shameful'
• The Bible advises being sexually pure and many Christians take a vow of chastity before marriage
• The Bible teaches that married couples should be faithful to each other as spoken in the marriage vows
• Exodus: '"You shall not commit adultery"'
• Genesis 1: '"God blessed them and said to them 'be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it'"'
• 1 Corinthians 6: '"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit"'
• Nuclear family


  Husband, wife and children
• Single-parent family


  One parent and children
• Blended family


  Two parents and their unrelated children from previous relationships
• Extended family


  The nuclear family plus grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins
• Family with same-sex parents

  Two same-sex parents and children
• Purpose of the family for Christians

  • -provide the right place for a married couple to have children
  • provide stability and security for society
  • teach children the different between right and wrong
  • introduce children to the Christian faith
• Psalm 127: '"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward for him"'
• Role of parents to Christians

  • -they have a responsibility to get married and have children if able
  • responsibility to love, support and keep their children safe
  • raise their children as Christians
• Role of children to Christians

  • -Bible teaches that children should honour, obey and respect their parents
  • expected to care for their parents in their old age, just as their parents once cared for them
• Importance of the family for Christians

  • -Strengthens society and provides structure and support
  • Family is where people feel safest with the people they love
  • ensures children are raised correctly
  • follow the example of Adam and Eve in Genesis, which is what God intended
• Parish


  Congregation of a church or cathedral
• How the parish can help families

  • -support couples who are expecting children
  • organising family events and special worship series
  • running parental support classes
  • encouraging children to attend Sunday school
  • providing counselling support
• Children learn more about the Christian faith in Sunday school
• The Church recognises the importance of celebrating rites of passage such as birth or marriage
• Why support given by the parish is important to families

  • -Allows Christians to socialise with others who share their faith and belief
  • The parish provides practical, emotion and spiritual support
  • It demonstrates the love of God, as family was part of his intention for humanity
  • It provides a sense of community and strengthens the Church and the people within it
• Catholic view on contraception

  • artificial methods shouldn't be used as every sexual act should be open to the possibility of a child
  • prevents having children
  • could encourage promiscuity or cause sex which could lead to STIs
  • Humanae Vitae affirms that it is not acceptable
• Protestant view on contraception

  • some believe it is fine to use as sex is also an expression of love between a husband and wife
  • it is a sensible method of family planning
  • using artificial methods doesn't go against God's teachings
• Atheist view on contraception

  People may want to use contraception when:

  • they want to plan when to have a family
  • they aren't ready for children
  • pregnancy could harm the mother
  • they want to be safe from STIs