theme A

• theology of the body


  - marital sex unites and is procreative

  - extramarital sex is a form of exploitation and distorts God's original plan.

  - naked and not ashamed
• contrasting view to theology of the body


  many in Britain have casual sex and use contraceptives
• Catholic teaching on the nature and purpose of sex


  sex = marital, unitive and procreative. men and women are equal

  "God created humankind in his image"

  - sex should be procreative "be fruitful and multiply"

  - sex should be within marriage + be public and exclusive. God creates new life "two shall become one flesh".
• how does Genesis 2 show equality


  - Adam split in half eve comes from his rib "one flesh" women and men equal but different roles.
• valid Catholic marriage


  - needs to be consummated

  - willing to accept children

  - must be in front of Catholic priest

  - act of free will

  - people must not be previously divorced.
• sex before marriage


  - "love is so unique should wait till marriage" - youcat

  - sex before marriage devalues it,

  gift of virginity makes husband and wife special.
• adultery


  - voluntary sex with someone who is not your spouse

  - breaks marriage vows "till death do us apart"

  - causes harm.

  "he who looks at a women with lust has already committed adultery in his heart"
• contrasting views on adultery


  - some may not have made a life long commitment, may be other reasons marriage falls apart.
• cohabitation


  - couple live together without marriage.

  - want to see if relationship works out

  - Catholic: breaks sanctity of marriage destroys sense of family and removes idea of commitment.
• nature of marriage


  - exclusive union

  - loving environment where children can grow.

  - sacrament of God's blessing

  - "for better for worse for richer for poorer in sickness and in health"

  - same promise shows equal commitment

  - difficulties but have to remain faithful

  "love seeks to be definitive"
• homosexuality


  - sex should be procreative, homosexuals should live celibate lives.

  - still loved by God as creation made "very good"

  - Pope Francis says homosexual act is sinful but homosexuals shouldn't be marginalised.

  - same sex marriage legalised in 2015

  - "all one in Christ Jesus".

  "love they neighbour"

  "you shall not lie with a male as with a woman"

  "man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife"
• annulment and divorce


  - annulment marriage wasn't valid one:

  - one partner not exclusive, against free will.

  - remarriage only if partner dies.

  - divorce - stick to promises new union not valid.

  - "two become one flesh"

  - "unbreakable union between them"
• agree with divorce


  impossible to know what the future holds divorce may be a compassionate solution.

  - 48% of people get divorced
• contraception in British society


  - stops STD's

  - prevents unwanted pregnancy

  - stops too many children to support
• contraception Catholic view


  - no STD if wait till marriage

  - pregnancy left up to God

  - use natural family planning

  -"natural family planning demands mutual affection."
• family


  - church in miniature

  - stable family is vital to society

  - family is the best environment to bring children up in

  - purpose of family - teach religion and moral guidance

  - nuclear

  
  

  - some have same sex famillies or single parents
• Gender equality in the bible


  - Genesis 2 - women made from bone of man all together form one human being. "no longer male and female but all one in Christ".

  - Jesus treated women with respect defended a women who was having stones thrown at her "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her"

  
  

  - important women in bible = Phoebe deaconess, Mary Magdeline first to resurrection, Esther helped people escape from persecution.

  
  

  - church of England had female priests since 1992

  - quakers at the centre of the women's right movement.
• Catholic church and gender equality


  - Catholics believe women can't preach, 12 apostles Jesus embodied a man.

  - women don't have same roles =some argue not equal

  - women can't represent Christ

  
  

  - says women should have equal dignity and rights "man and women were made for each other". - equal but diff. roles

  
  

  - Pope Francis - "women should have same rights the disparity is pure scandal" however, defending women's rights shouldn't distract from role in home.