Relationships and Families - Theme A

• Homosexuality


  Being physically and sexually attracted to persons of the same gender
• The Sexual Offences Act 1967 legalized homosexual acts in England and Wales between consenting men over 21</b>
• Same-sex marriage became legal in the UK in 2013
• Pope Francis: 'Who am I to judge?'
• Every sex act must remain open to the transmission of life


  (Catholic teaching)
• Quran, Surah 26: 'Must you lust after males and abandon the wives God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds.'
• 1 Corinthians: 'Men who have sex with men will not inherit the kingdom of God'
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: 'Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and contrary to the natural law'
• Quakers


  It is the nature and quality of the relationship that matters, not the gender of those involved
• Homosexuality is seen across the animal kingdom and is considered natural and normal by modern science
• The harm principle states that as long as someone isn't causing harm, they should be free to do what brings them happiness
• God's intention for sexual relationships is between a man and a woman (based on Genesis)


  To be fruitful and multiply
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: 'Homosexuality is contrary to the natural law'
• Quran, Surah 26: 'They do not lust over men because God has created wives for you'
• Sex before marriage


  Having sex before getting married
• Cohabitation


  Living together as a couple without being married
• All Christians and Muslims condemn sex outside of marriage (adultery)
• Ten Commandments: 'Do not commit adultery'
• Quran, Surah 17: 'Adultery is an outrage and an evil path'
• Adultery goes against marriage vows and is seen as breaking a promise/sacrament
• Hebrews 13:4: 'The marriage bed should be kept pure and God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral'
• Adultery causes upset and harm, and is not seen as a loving thing to do
• The purpose of marriage in Christianity and Islam is to have children (be fruitful and multiply)
• Sex before marriage is condemned in Christianity and Islam, but views on sex outside of marriage (cohabitation) vary
• Adultery goes against the marriage vows that are made in the presence of each other, witnesses, and God
• Adultery causes upset and harm, it is not a loving thing to do
• Hebrews 13:4 teaches that the marriage bed should be kept pure and that God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral
• The Quran states that those who engage in illicit sex acts will be punished
• Sharia law states that the death penalty can be a possible punishment for adultery, but requires four witnesses
• Contrasting beliefs about sex before marriage


  • Positive attitudes
  • Negative attitudes
• Liberal Christians


  Say sex before marriage is not necessarily wrong between two consenting adults, as long as it is in a loving, committed relationship
• Situation ethics


  As long as the act is loving and not harmful, it is not necessarily wrong
• Islam is very clear that sex must take place within marriage, and 100 lashes is given as a punishment for having sex before marriage
• The Catholic Church considers it a grave sin to have sex outside of marriage
• Saint Paul says it is better to marry than to burn with passion, implying sex before marriage is sinful
• Contraception


  The precautions taken to prevent pregnancy and protect against STIs
• The Catholic Church considers artificial contraception to be "intrinsically evil"
• The Church of England believes contraception is acceptable if used in the light of Christian principles, in a loving, committed relationship
• Methods of contraception


  • Natural methods (rhythm method)
  • Artificial methods (condom, birth control pill)
• Family planning


  When a married couple plans when to have a family and how big a family to have by the use of birth control practices and/or contraception