A legal, public, declaration of life-long love and commitment
Christian marriage
For some Christians it is a sacrament – a sign of God's grace/power at work in their lives
Purposes of Christian marriage
Procreation – Reproduction... having and raising children together
The 'proper' setting for a sexual relationship – Sex is the proper expression of married love
'Mutual Society' - Growing in a relationship of care and concern for each other
Responsibilities of parents
Raise children as good child –moral values
Provide for them –food/shelter
Education
Raise children in the church. -to teach them the faith
Marriage vows
For better or for worse
For richer, for poorer
In sickness and in health
Until death
Factors that can put marriages under pressure
Parents pressure in children
Step/half families
Money
Work
Health
Different beliefs (Different Religions)
Children
Divorce
A legal process which ends in a deceleration that the marriage is at an end
Divorce Reform Act passed
1973
Irretrievable breakdown
Cannot be fixed (beyond help)
Examples of irretrievable breakdown
2-year separation
Adultery
Violence
Christian approach to marriage breakdown
Uphold and proclaim the sanctity of marriage as it is expressed in Jesus and Church teaching
Respond to people in difficulties as Jesus did, with love, forgiveness, and compassion
Christian agencies helping couples with marriage problems
Counselling for people who have specific problems
Counselling to help people deal with what happens when a marriage ends
Help for couples who want to improve their relationship through therapy and counselling
Divorce in Britain is too easy. We do not do enough to help couples sort out problems in their marriages.
Christian teachings on divorce and remarriage
Divorce + remarriage= adultery (Jesus)
Divorce allowed (Moses/Jewish Law)
Christian teachings on divorce and remarriage
Divorce should be allowed - God forgives when we make mistakes and allows a new start
Divorce should not be allowed - because Jesus said divorce and remarriage is the same as adultery, the vows say commitment for life
Purposes of sex for Christians
Procreation (having children)
Expression of (married) love
For mutual pleasure
Christian attitudes towards sex
Sex is a gift from God
Sex is an important expression of love so it should not be trivialised
Sex is creative; it creates children so that should happen in a marriage which is best for the children
Sex is creative in that it develops relationships and relationships can have their fullest development in a stable relationship such as marriage
Sex is the most intimate expression of love which communicates commitment so it should only be an expression of love when there is total commitment as in marriage
Casual sexual relationships often lead to people being regarded as commodities
St Paul taught that sex outside marriage is wrong
Jesus implied that sex was appropriate only within marriage when he talked about lust being something to be avoided
Christian views on sex before marriage
Some Christians e.g. Catholic and Anglican think sex should only be in marriage
Some Christians e.g. Quakers think couples can be loving and faithful in relationships outside of marriage
Methods of contraception
Hormonal (chemical) methods e.g. pill
Barrier methods, e.g. condoms
Natural Family planning/furtility awarness
Christian beliefs about contraception
Roman Catholic Church - artificial methods of contraception are not acceptable as sex should be open to the possibility of children in a committed relationship
Anglican Church and Quakers - using artificial contraception in a committed relationship is acceptable as there can be good reasons to delay or space your family
Homosexuality
Sexual attraction (relationship)
Christian views on homosexuality
Homosexuality is a sin and should be condemned as it goes against the will of God in creation
Being homosexual is not wrong or sinful, but homosexual acts are not right as they are not the ideal which God gives for sex as an expression of married love between a man and a woman
Homosexual relationships should be judged on the same basis as heterosexual relationships – if they are committed, respectful, loving and exclusive then they are good. Homosexuals are created in the image of God and can reflect his love
Homosexuality is a gift of God in creation and should be celebrated
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill became law in July 2013. The first same sex weddings took place in 2014.
Civil partnership
A legal relationship exclusively for same-sex couples, distinct from marriage
Same-sex marriage
Allows same sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies, and in religious ceremonies where the religious organisation has 'opted in'
Reasons campaigners want same-sex marriage
Separate civil partnerships perpetuate the notion that same-sex relationships are not as valid as heterosexual ones
Legal rights are still not exactly the same as those conferred by marriage
There would be international recognition for same-sex marriage, unlike civil partnerships which differ widely from one country to the next
Religious views on same-sex marriage
Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales - against, to uphold the uniqueness of marriage
Muslim Council of Great Britain - against, calling them "unnecessary and unhelpful"
Jewish - Liberal and Reform synagogues support, United synagogue opposes
Sikh - Lord Singh says it would "dilute" the definition of marriage
Quakers - campaigned in favour and will allow ceremonies