Relationships and families

• Marriage

  An important commitment to one's spouse and God
• Marriage in Christianity

  • It is seen as a stable relationship between a man and a woman
  • It is a sacred bond
  • Its purpose is love, procreation, and serving a family
• Some Christians believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman
• Some Christians accept same-sex marriage
• Some Christians believe divorce is not allowed, while others allow it in certain circumstances
• Divorce

  Becoming more socially acceptable and common in the past
• Reasons for divorce include falling out of love, cheating, abuse, and irreconcilable differences
• Jesus allowed divorce in cases of adultery
• Some Christians believe divorce should be allowed to end unhappy marriages
• Contraception and family planning are accepted by many non-religious people and some Christians, but opposed by others who see it as preventing life
• Family

  • Provides a favourable environment for raising children
  • Parents have a duty to care for and teach their children
• Types of families

  • Nuclear
  • Single parent
  • Same-sex parents
  • Blended
• Some religious people believe only heterosexual couples should have children
• Adoption is legal in the UK
• Ephesians 6:1-4: 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" - this is the first commandment with a promise - "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.'
• Purposes of families

  • To fulfil God's desire to have children
  • To provide security, love, and support for family members
• Contemporary families can include same-sex couples with children
• Some Christians oppose same-sex parents and gender equality
• Many Christians believe in gender equality and that men and women should have the same rights
• Gender prejudice and discrimination based on gender are illegal in the UK
• Examples of gender prejudice and discrimination include being denied jobs, having different legal rights, and facing different expectations based on gender
• The Bible teaches that men and women are equal in God's sight as they are both created in God's image