THEME A

• God created men and women


  Both male and female were created in the image of God and so are of equal importance and are designed to complement each other
• It was part of God's plan that Adam and Eve should Be fruitful and multiply
• Catholic Church views on sex

  Sex is exclusively marital (for marriage) as it is unitive (something that joins people together) and procreative (open to creating new life)
• Both men and women are created in the image of God and blessed by him, therefore they are equal
• God created men and women
• Men and women are expected to procreate
• Equality between sexes

  Men and women complement each other. Together each person is able to give to the other what the other lacks, producing a harmony which isn't possible in isolation
• Catholic teaching on the nature and purpose of sexual love

  • Sexual intercourse should be within marriage
  • Sex should be unitive (join people together)
  • Sex should be open to creating new life (procreative)
• Through sex God creates new life
• Marital sex (sex within marriage)

  • Unites a couple in self-giving and love
  • Brings two people into a communion of persons (sharing together)
  • Shows commitment, mutual love and respect, and leads to greater intimacy
  • Gives the possibility of creating new life (contraceptives should not be used)
  • Can make use of natural periods of infertility to reduce the chances of pregnancy. Sometimes it is more loving to express fondness through non-sexual acts
• Extramarital sex (sex outside of marriage)


  • Is a form of exploitation for personal pleasure
  • Can make people selfish, caring only for themselves and not their marriage partner
  • Adultery breaks the marriage vows and shows no commitment to a spouse
  • Is a sin and distorts God's original plan for human beings
  • Can lead people to think of others as sex objects rather than individuals with dignity and value
• Other Christian denominations agree with Catholics that sex should be treated with respect and consideration, and intercourse should only take place within marriage
• Catholic teaching says that sex should be open to the creation of new life
• Some people in Britain have casual sex with many partners
• Many people in Britain, including some Christians, view using contraceptives as a responsible way of preventing sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies
• The gift of virginity offered in marriage

  Makes both husband and wife feel special, privileged and loved
• Sex before marriage

  Devalues or trivialises the gift of virginity
• As there has been no sex before marriage there is no danger of sexually transmitted diseases
• Because love is so great, so sacred, and so unique, the Church teaches young people to wait until they are married before they start to have sexual relations
• Other Christian denominations generally share the Catholic view that sex should be saved for marriage
• Many Christians and non-Christians in British society do have sex before marriage
• Adultery

  Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse
• The teaching of the Catholic Church on adultery

  • It breaks the vows made in marriage: To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse
  • It betrays trust in the marriage and causes harm and suffering to the innocent partner
  • It brings distress and tensions into the home and causes the whole family to be unhappy
  • It can cause the break-up of the marriage
• Other Christian denominations view adultery as wrong as it breaks the promises made in marriage
• Contrasting/non-religious views on adultery: It may break a marriage promise but there may be a reason why, such as if one partner refuses to have sex. Some may not have made a 'life-long' promise. Personal happiness is important even if it may cause harm to someone else. There may be other reasons why the marriage is falling apart e.g. a very unhappy marriage. Maybe the couple made a serious mistake in getting married and have found a more suitable partner
• Catholic Church teaching on homosexuality

  • Sex should be open to the possibility of creating new life
  • Homosexual relations are not acceptable as there is no possibility of new life
  • Homosexuals should live celibate lives
• The Church of England supports the idea of same-sex civil partnerships
• People are loved by God regardless of their sexual orientation, so should be treated with respect
• Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014 in England and Wales, reflecting the views of many in British society
• Some United Reformed churches perform same-sex marriages
• Conditions for a valid Catholic marriage

  • Only the marriage of a man and a woman is valid
  • The marriage must be consummated (the couple must have given themselves to each other physically through sexual intercourse)
  • The two people must consent that they are willing to accept children lovingly from God
• Pope Francis, when interviewed, said the Catholic Church should be more welcoming and less judgmental towards homosexuals
• Valid marriage in the Catholic Church

  Conditions that must be met for the Catholic Church to acknowledge a marriage as valid
• Same-sex marriages are not recognised as valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church, as they do not allow for the acceptance of children from God
• Conditions for a valid Catholic marriage

  • Marriage must be consummated
  • Couple must promise to remain together for life
  • Couple must be free to marry
  • Couple must declare willingness to accept God's gift of children
  • Couple must marry of their own free will
  • Promises must be made in the presence of a Catholic priest
  • Couple must not be closely related
• Consent


  The moment when the couple commit themselves to each other for life
• The consent that binds the spouses to each other finds its fulfilment in the two 'becoming one flesh'
• Catholic view on same-sex marriage

  • Marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman
  • Same-sex couples cannot have children naturally and lovingly from God, so cannot meet the requirements for a valid marriage
• In 2014, the British government legalised same-sex marriages
• Many people in British society (including some Christians) believe homosexuals should have the same rights as heterosexuals and so should be able to marry