Religious studies theme A: relationships + families

• What is the nuclear family?


  husband, wife, children
• Nature of Christian families


  In biblical times, people lived in extended family/households, but today most Christians live in nuclear households with their partners as polygamy is rejected
• Nature of Islamic families


  Most Muslims live in extended families as they are found important as care homes aren't liked. And they can be loud as men can have up to 4 wives
• Why is it permitted in Islam for men to have up to 4 wives?


  Islam needed to spread, men who died during the war had wives that needed protection , it was more practical, it was seen to the Prophet Muhammad in the Quran
• Similarities between Christian nature, families and Islam, nature of families


  Both of say, a loving family for children should be created, teach respect and to be treated well

  both must live and believe in their ways of their religion.
• What are the three main roles of Christian families?

  Procreation, stability and protection for children, educating children in the faith
• What are the three main purposes of Islamic families?


  Same as Christian-protection, stability, procreation, educating children in the faith
• Why would Christians say you can only procreate when married?


  God said to Adam and Eve be fruitful and multiply.

  They were already married, so many Christians believe this means you are only allowed to procreate if you're married.
• What would Islam say about procreation before marriage?

  Is a sin and highly permitted, as it is a gift from Allah. As it says that in the Quaran, let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage. Keep them self chase until God gives them means
• What is human sexuality?


  How people express themselves as sexual beings
• What does the Catholic Church say about heterosexual people?


  Believe it's a sin to act upon your feelings (not be chaste) but not a sin to be gay

  Believe it's a violation of the divine law
• What does church of England say about heterosexuality?

  As long as they are in a true committed relationship, they are allowed but cannot marry in the church, although they are welcome
• What church allows heterosexuality?


  Liberty, church in Blackpool says that Jesus loves everyone and forgives everyone who believes in him so allows it
• What does the bible say about sex outside of marriage?


  One of the 10 commandments is 'thou shall not commit adulatory
• What does the bible say about sex before marriage?


  Not allowed

  E.g Joseph and asenath had to stay 'pure
• Islamic beliefs about sex before marriage


  Not allowed and is zinah(a sexual sin) as it takes away from the gift of Allah
• Islamic beliefs about sex outside of marriage


  -serious sin

  - breaks promises made by the couple in their vows

  -considered a Zinah

  -in countries with the sariah law it's punishable by death
• What does Christianity say about contraception

  Roman Catholics :

  - say it's not allowed and is "evil"

  - natural family planning is allowed but nothing else

  
  

  Church of England:

  -allowed in married couples

  -nothing is written against contraception in the bible

  (Non married people can't use them as they believe they shouldn't have sex)
• What does Islam say about contraception?

  -nothing against it in the Quaran

  - some say it's allowed as you should have a child in a good environment and if you can't do that you shouldn't have a child

  -some say it's not allowed as you are killing Allahs creations due to fear
• What does the Christian story of Onan say about contraception?


  Not allowed at all
• what does Christianity say about marriage?

  -gift from God

  - spiritual bond that reflect the love of God
• Beliefs about the nature and purpose of marriage in both religions:


  -it's faithful

  -both people take care of children

  -lifelong partnership
• Why must a woman marry a Muslim?


  Religion gets passed from the father so the religions lives through the father
• What branches of Christianity allow co-habitation and why?


  Evangelicals, Church of England (if it leads to marriage) , liberal Christians

  As there is a lower chance of divorce If you get married
• What religions do not, except co- habitation and why ?

  Islam, Catholics and Baptists, as they believe the values the special value of sex (as they don't believe in sex before marriage) and also say it's a sin to have sex when not married
• Why is Islam against same sex marriage ?


  It's condemned in the Quaran as it says the wrath of God destroyed all people that engaged in same sex acts
• What is annulment and what church believe in it


  Only Catholic church believes in it, and it's ruling that a marriage never existed
• Christian attitude on divorce

  Recognised in most branches of Christianity, as marriage doesn't always work out, but it should be a last resort
• What does the Roman Catholic Church say about divorce?


  It is a grave offence against the natural law
• Christian churches view on the remarriage


  Catholic Church says that once annulled you can marry again,

  Anglicans can marry someone in the church (as long as the priest is comfortable performing the ceremony)

  Protestant churches accept divorce and remarriage no longer than twice.
• Islamic attitudes on divorce


  Is allowed as marriage is seen as a social contract that can be ended, although it is not to be taken lightly and should be a last resort
• Islamic attitudes on remarriage

  Remarriage is allowed, but only after a divorce has been finalised
• reasons for and against divorce

  For:

  -marriage is a contract that can be ended, divorce is the lesser of two evils, more compassionate/loving to allow divorced to be unhappy, Jesus forgives all

  
  

  Against :

  - vows are for life, promise made to God, Muslims believe that Allah disliked divorce, encourages people to throw away their relationship, without trying to reconcile, can lead to broken families
• Christian teachings about polygamy

  -each person should have one marriage partner

  -it is said a man and women become one flesh not many
• Islamic teachings on polygamy

  Allowed- used to be a common practise in Arabia to help women have more protection -prophet Muhammad had up to 9 wives at once- only men can have multiple wives -have up to 4 wives as long as you can treat them equally
• Argument is support and against polygamy

  Support:

  -more than 1 role model to look up to

  -constant support

  -can feel safer and more loved

  -allowed in Islam

  -more selection of partners

  
  

  Against :

  -not possible to treat everyone equally

  -not allowed in Christianity

  -financially difficult

  - difficult with inheritance

  -absent parents as they will have lots of responsibilities
• Christian view on same sex parents?

  - disapprove as they believe the ideal is to have a mother and father

  -should have 2 role models

  -important to have both parents

  - can cause harm to child

  
  

  but they say it is more important to be in a loving, stable, environment
• What does gender equality mean?


  Men and women should be given the same rights and opportunities as each other.
• Christian views on gender, equality


  Men and women have different roles, but this does not mean one is superior or inferior. They are different but equal and the rules of complementary.
• Islamic views on gender, equality

  -Women can work, but have to focus on the home

  -All men and women have different but complementary roles