Relationships and Families

• Purpose of a Christian family

  To provide a secure environment for a family through marriage:

  • Christians believe marriage is a commitment for the couple to love and support each other and share in the care and upbringing of children. Jesus said 'Love one another; just as I have loved you'.

  To procreate:

  • In the book of Genesis, God said 'be fruitful and multiply'.

  To raise children in the Christian faith:

  • Continuing the keep the religion and its teachings going.
• Marriage in Christianity

  • Many Christians believe the main purpose of marriage is to honour God by following his commandment to leave their parents and become husband and wife ('one flesh').
  • They believe they should have children as God said 'be fruitful and multiply'. Children are seen as a gift from God.
  • Roman Catholic Christians believe the sacrament of marriage is a public sign of totally giving yourself to another person.
• Divorce in Christianity

  • Jesus taught that anyone who divorced and remarried was committing adultery.
  • However, Jesus did allow for divorce in the case of infidelity.
  • Roman Catholic Christians do not recognise divorce except for if a partner dies or if there are grounds for an annulment.
• Same sex relationships in Christianity

  • Some Christians see the quote 'be fruitful and multiply' as a reason against same sex relationships as it can not be fulfilled through natural conception.
  • However, other Christians accept is as they see it as outdated.
  • 'Man shall not lie with another man the same way he does a woman'
• Sex before marriage in Christianity

  • Some Christians discourage sex before marriage as they believe it should only take place within a marriage since the result in children would mean a need for a stable environment.
  • Some Christians choose chastity before marriage.
• Cohabitation in Christianity

  • Many Christians accept that, although marriage is preferred, cohabitation is acceptable where there is loyalty and commitment within a long-term relationship.
• Adultery in Christianity

  • One of the ten commandments in Christianity is 'thou shall not commit adultery'
  • It is also said 'But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so, destroys himself' which supports the view couples should not commit adultery.
• Contraception in Christianity

  • Christianity teaches that children are a gift from God - 'children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him'
  • However, some Christians accept there are phycological, economic and medical factors that impact the decision to have a child.
  • Catholic Christians take the teaching from the bible that states 'be fruitful and multiply' as evidence that God has intended procreation and therefore no artificial contraception is permitted. However, natural methods are accepted.
• Roles of Men and Women in Christianity

  • The book of Genesis states women were created to be helpers.
  • The quote 'women should keep silent in the churches...it is improper for a woman to speak in church' is taken as evidence the church should be led by men and male priests.
  • However, some Christians believe these views do not hold a place in todays society:
  • 'So God made mankind in his own image... male and female he created them'
  • 'Nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ'