marriage and family

• Purposes of marriage to Christians

  • To provide companionship and support between two people
  • To enjoy having sexual relationships within marriage and have children
  • To make a lifelong commitment to another person, establishing a permanent relationship, thereby also providing stability to society through the teaching of good moral behaviour
• Marriage


  A sacrament - a ceremony in which God is involved
• Vows at a wedding

  Words that the man and women in a marriage say to one another to show that the marriage is sacred and binding
• God does not want everyone to marry
• Humanist view of marriage

  They do not accept marriage as a religious institution blessed by God however, they do accept marriage as a commitment that a couple make together
• Cohabitation


  Living together in a sexual relationship without being married
• Why some Christians disagree with Cohabitation

  Marriage provides stability and is a stable place for a family, this is why they do not accept cohabitation as an alternative for marriage
• Christians believe the only appropriate place for sex is in a marriage
• Why Christians believe sex was created

  For procreation
• What is forbidden by Christians in terms of sexual relationships

  • Casual sex and relationships
  • Adultery is forbidden in the ten commandments
  • Married couples should stay faithful as they made a promise to god in their vows
  • St Paul in the Bible condemns homosexual acts as 'shameful'
  • Being sexually pure is advised and many Christians take Chastity before marriage
• Alternative Christian views on sex before marriage

  Some Christians allow the idea of sex when you are in a relationship and understand not all couple will wait for marriage if they are in love however, sexual promiscuity is not acceptable
• Humanist view on sex before marriage

  They believe that consenting adults should be allowed to share a sexual relationship provided it does not harm anybody else
• Atheists are unlikely to have a problem with sex before marriage or with homosexuality
• Family types


  • Nuclear family
  • Blended family
  • Same sex family
  • Extended families
  • Single-parent family
• Christian beliefs about the purpose of family

  • To provide the right place for a married couple to have children
  • To provide stability for society, as children can be raised in the correct social and moral setting
  • To teach children the difference between right and wrong
  • To raise children as Christians and introduce them to the Christian faith
• Christian beliefs about the role of a parent in the family

  • They have a responsibility to get married before having kids if able
  • They are responsible to love, support and care for their children and keep them safe
  • Should raise their children in the Christian faith, get them baptised or christened and introduce them to the Christian community
• Christian beliefs about the role of a child in the family

  • The Bible teaches that children should honour, obey and respect their parents
  • Children are expected to care of their parents once they are older, just as their parents once did for them
• Importance of family to Christians

  • They strengthen society and provide structure and support
  • Where people feel safest - with people they love
• Christians are much more accepting of less traditional family types today than in the past
• How the local parish can help families

  • Supporting couples who are expecting children
  • Organising family events and special family worship services
  • Running parental support classes
  • Being involved in christenings or marriages
  • Encouraging children to attend Sunday school and special services
  • Providing counselling support
• Rites of passage


  The celebrate key points in a person's life and include occasions such as, marriage, christening or birth
• There is no direct teaching in the Bible about contraception, since it's a more modern issue, but Christians rely on their church teachings
• Catholic teachings about contraception

  They believe that every sexual act should be open to the possibility of a child, so artificial methods of contraception may not be used. They believe contraception encourages casual sex
• Protestant beliefs about contraception

  They believe that the main purpose of sex is for procreation, sex is also for pleasure and enjoyment and a way to show love for your partner therefore, contraception is a sensible method of family planning and all types are acceptable
• Humanist beliefs about contraception


  Humanists generally have no issue with the use of contraception they argue that if 'every child being a wanted child, and in better, healthier lives for women, it must be a good thing'
• Atheist attitudes to family planning

  • They think people should use contraception when they want to plan when to have a family
  • They are not ready to have kids
  • A couple's lifestyle may not be compatible with having children
  • Pregnancy could be harmful to the mother
  • They don't want STI's
  • The couple carry genetic disorders
• The Bible has different teachings about divorce, but marriage is intended to be for life
• Catholic beliefs about divorce

  • Divorce is not recognised because marriage is for life
  • Jesus said divorce is wrong
  • Marriage is a sacrament and divorce would break the promise made to God
  • The bond of marriage is not broken even if a couple receives a legal civil divorce
  • Remarriage is not accepted
  • A legal separation may be accepted in some cases, where care of children is needed
• Humanist beliefs about divorce

  They believe divorce can cause a breakdown in the family however, they accept that divorce is sometimes necessary - they don't associate marriage with God so they are not going against His word
• Atheist beliefs about divorce

  They may adopt situation ethics, where they consider the best thing to do in each individual situation. And always do the most loving thing
• The Bible has different interpretations about equality between men and women
• Catholic beliefs on gender equality


  Catholics accept that men and women are equal but were given different roles by God. Man was physically created differently in order to work the land and women was made to assist him
• Humanists and atheists are likely to accept more modern interpretations of the roles of men and women, they believe in the equality of men and women and support their roles as long as they are happy in them
• Gender prejudice


  The tendency to hold a hostile attitude toward an individual because of his or her gender but taking no action
• Gender discrimination


  Treating someone differently due to their gender
• Catholics believe only men are accepted in the position of bishop, priest or deacon and pope. They believe these roles represent Jesus, who was a man
• Christian beliefs about marriage

  • Christians believe in the sanctity of marriage- that marriage is a holy gift from God.
  • It creates unity, both physical and emotional (one flesh). Each person agrees to be faithful and only have loving and sexual relations with their partner.
  • It is also a sacrament (ceremonies that are a sign of God's love) for Catholics and other denominations
• Why Christians argue against cohabitation

  It can encourage a casual attitude towards relationships. It is too easy to break up and not talk things through in times of trouble. Children are best brought up in a stable home. This is usually one with two married parents so they can more easily learn about relationships
• SOWA: ''the two will become one flesh'<|>what God has joined together let no one separate'
• Christian view of sexual relationships within marriage

  • Sex should be between a married man and woman. This is because sex is the highest expression of love and the Bible upholds the sanctity of marriage.
  • Married couples should not have sexual relations outside marriage. Remaining faithful to your partner is important for Christians and adultery is a major sin
  • They are permitted in certain cases such as for conceiving a child. Children are a gift from God and are one of the aims of marriage