The Study of Religion: Paper 2

Relationships and Family

Revision Cards
 Human Sexuality
Key Terms Definitions
Christian views to Human sexuality
Human Sexuality How people express themselves as sexual
• Part of God’s plan for humans to have
beings
sex.
• Man and women should ‘increase in Heterosexual To be sexually attracted to members of the
number’ opposite sex.
• Some Christians believe that they should Homosexual To be sexually attracted to members of the
do the most loving thing therefore their same sex
teachings should adapt into a changing
world. (Homosexuality/ sex before
marriage)

Muslim views to Human sexuality Contemporary British Attitudes:

• Today sex before marriage, multiple sexual
• It is a way for humans to express themselves.
partners, children outside of marriage,
• It is natural.
adultery or homosexual relationships are more
• Forming heterosexual relationships should lead
accepted.
to having children.
• Today the age of consent is 16 years old.
• It is part of being human.
• It protects anyone under the age from
• Sex is for pleasure not just reproduction.
exploitation and abuse.
• Humans have natural sexual instincts.
• Islamic teachings don’t specify an age of
• Human body is created by God and all parts
consent.
have a purpose.
• Sex should only take place within a
• Being celibate is wrong.
marriage and dating is not encouraged.
• Sex between husband and wife is a blessing
from God.
 Homosexuality
Christian views Christian views Muslim views on Homosexuality
against accepting
homosexuality homosexuality • Homosexuality is forbidden.
• In most Muslim countries it is against the law.
• Against God’s • No detail on • Human sexuality is a choice but choosing to be drawn to the same sex is
command to homosexual not right.
increase in relationships • It is against the natural law of God.
number- can’t between women as • It is against God’s will.
reproduce. there is no • Homosexuals should control their actions and not break God’s laws.
• Sexual penetrative sex. • Some believe homosexuals will have to answer to God on judgement day,
relationships • Homosexual
between men are relationship aren’t “ Must you, unlike other people, lust after males and abandon the
forbidden in the sinful (as long as wives that God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds.”
Bible. sex is not involved)
• Not allowed to • Church of England
get married allows
within a Church. homosexuality as Contemporary British Attitudes:
long as they are • Today homosexual relationships are
faithful and more accepted.
“ Do not have committed to one • It is now legal to be in a
sexual relations another. homosexual relationship and
with a man as one • Some believe Bible couples can now marry or convert
does with a teachings need to civil partnership into marriage if
women; that is be updates to this they wish,
detestable.” modern society- • Some Muslims believe that
therefore making it homosexuality should not be
acceptable. accepted in Islam.
 Sex before marriage
Christian views on sex before marriage Muslim views on sex
Acceptable Unacceptable before marriage
• Some accept as it is a valid expression for • Sex expresses a deep, loving lifelong union
their love for one another. after marriage, • Sex is a gift from God and
• Should be sexually pure before marriage. therefore must be used
• Sex should not be for temporary pleasure. responsibly.
• It is wrong to use people for sex, and it is • Muslims believe that causal
irresponsible to spread STI’s or risk sex is wrong and detracts
pregnancy from the dignity of those
involved.
“Every sexual act must be within the framework • Sex should not cause harm-
of marriage,” Children could be born out
of wedlock.
• Casual sex could lead to
Contemporary British Attitudes: promiscuity and other evils
• Sex before marriage is commonly accepted. such as rape and deception.
• Films, TV programmes, books and magazines reflect • The Qur’an forbids sex
the belief that it is usual for couples who are dating before marriage.
to have sex. • It is considered the same as
• Sometimes young people can deal pressure to have adultery and rape and is a
sex before marriage. serious sin.
• People want to make sure they are sexually “ The only way to protect all
compatible before they marry,
within society is to maintain
• Young British Muslims can sometimes feel caught in-
between values of their religion and values from the a society where only a man
culture they live in. and his wife share the act
of sex.”
 Sex outside of marriage
Key Terms Definitions
“ A man should not
Muslim views
stay with a women in
• Adultery is a serious sin. Sex outside of Sex between two people where at least one
seclusion unless he
• Muslims should avoid situations marriage of them is married to someone else;
is a relative.”
that could lead to sexual sins. adultery, having an affair.
• Adultery often destroys marriage
because of betrayal of trust.
It goes against the promises made
Christian views
• “And do not go
at the wedding. anywhere near “You have heard • It is wrong because it involves
• In some Muslim countries under
adultery, it is an that it was said ‘you secrecy, lies and a betrayal of
Shari’ah law, the punishment for
outrage and an evil shall not commit trust.
adultery is death by stoning.
path.” adultery’ but I tell • It can effect children and
you that anyone cause pain to all concerned.
who looks at a • Adultery breaks the promises
women lustfully made before God during the
had already wedding.
committed adultery • It threatens the relationship
Contemporary British with her in his between parents and
Attitudes: heart” therefore children can suffer.
• Jesus taught that lust, could
• Many non-religious lead to adultery which is wrong.
people would agree • Marriage is unbreakable that
that sex outside of demands total faithfulness.
“You shall
marriage is wrong. • Jesus forgave a woman who
not commit
was caught in adultery, but
adultery”
ordered her to ‘leave her life
of sin.’
 Contraception and Family Planning
Christian views Muslim views Contemporary British
What is
attitudes
contraception?
• A way of Acceptable to use Acceptable to use Acceptable to use
preventing • Economic, environmental, physical and • Allowed within the context of a • It is responsible to
pregnancy physiological reasons are acceptable reasons marriage. address unwanted
when a couple for not bring children into the world. • A couple should be able to decide pregnancies in a
have sex. • Catholic church is not against family planning, when to start a family and also society that is having
but they should use the rhythm method to how many children to have. sex, casual sex and sex
Methods of space out their children. • Acceptable for the mother’s before and outside of
contraception • Natural methods are not reliable and medical health, to help space out marriage.
• The pill methods should be used as long as they do not pregnancies or to avoid serious • Controls population
• Injection cause an abortion. financial difficulties. growth.
• Condoms • Help against STI’’s • No teachings in the Qur’an. • Stops the spread of
• Spermicidal • Unfair to bring unwanted babies into the world • Muhammad knew about birth STI’s
jellies or or children that you cannot take care of. control and accepted it.
creams • Allowed if it effects the mothers health.
• The coil
• Sterilisation
Unacceptable to use Unacceptable to use Unacceptable to use
• It should not be used to limit their families. • If it is to prevent children. • If they can cause
Natural methods
• Contraception goes against natural law. • Interferes with God’s plan abortions they are
• Having sex at
• God’s purpose for marriage is to have a family. • God gave people the strength to unacceptable.
certain times
• Prevents God’s plan. cope with children.
of the month
• Sex is for making new life- therefore the two
to reduce
purposes should not be separated.
chances of
• It encourages selfishness and infidelity.
pregnancy
• The rhythm
method
 Marriage
Marriage: Same Sex Marriage
A legal union between a • In 2004, same sex couples were allowed to register and get a civil partnership that gave them the same
man or woman (or in legal rights as married couples.
some countries, including • Same sex marriage became legal in England in 2014.
the UK, two people of • Christians were against this because it was changing the nature of marriage.
the same sex) as • Churches are not forced (by law) to conduct same sex marriages against their beliefs.
partners in a relationship • Islam forbids homosexuality

Marriage for Christians:

Marriage for Muslims:
• God’s gift at creation.
• Marriage is the foundation for family
• It is natural for a man and women to leave
life.
their parents and bring new life into the
• When a man marries half of his
world.
religious responsibilities are
• Marriage is a sacrament, a lifelong union
complete.
blessed by God.
• Marriage was intended by God for
• Reflects the love of Jesus and the
the sharing of love and
agreement with God when a couple makes
companionship.
promises before God.
• Husband and wife are equal in
• A married couple share companionship
partnership the God.
through good and bad times and try to bring
• Adults are expected to marry as it is
up children the way God would want.
a normal part of life.
• Marriage is a spiritual bond.
• Poverty should not stop marriage.
• The purpose of marriage is to provide a
• Marriage prevents sinning.
stable, secure environment for family life.
• Marriage adds value to worship.
• Only place to enjoy sex.
 Cohabitation
Key Terms Definitions
Cohabitation A couple living together and having a sexual relationship without being married to
one another.

Christian Muslim

• Some people decide to live

together before they get • Christians who • Muslims are
married . are opposed against
to sex before cohabitation
• Some want to see if their marriage because they
believe that believe a sexual
relationship will work before cohabitation relationship
deciding to marry and having a is sinful. should only
family. • Anglican and occur within a
Protestant marriage.
Churches
• Some will never marry, but live accept
and raise their children although
together in a loving partnership marriage is
the best.
 Divorce
Divorce in Britain Christian views on divorce
• Divorce is Unacceptable What does the Church do to help divorces or
allowed after • Vows are made before God and should not be broken. prevent them?
one year of • For Catholics, marriage is a sacrament that is permanent and lifelong. • They are compassionate to anyone going
marriage if the through a divorce.
Acceptable • Christian clergy offer support to couples
marriage cannot who are having problems in their marriage,
• There are times where it might be more compassionate and loving for a divorce.
be saved. • Catholics accept annulments under certain circumstances to make it as though it through counselling, prayer and
was never a true marriage. sacraments.
• Divorce might be the lesser of two evils. • They might refer a couple to an outside
Why can marriages • Methodist and United Reformed Church accept civil divorce. agency.
fail? • The Eastern Orthodox Church grants divorce but not more than twice. • Christians should try to forgive and
reconcile to make a marriage work.
• Growing apart
• Immaturity
Muslim teachings on divorce:
• Addiction
• Muslims allow divorce as a last resort.
• Domestic
• Divorce is hateful to God.
violence
• For a man to divorce: he must declare to his wife verbally or in
• Inability to have
writing. The couple must wait 3 months without having sex
children
but living together.
• Work and money
• If a women is pregnant they must wait until the baby is born
pressures
before the divorce can be issued.
• Disappointed in
• A wife can go to court to force her husband to issue the
sex
divorce.
• Illness
• The Husband must continue his responsibility for his
• Disabilities
children.
• Adultery
• The Qur'an encourages Muslims to try and reconcile their
• No
marriage and family members should try to help.
communication
• A man must support his wife until she is remarried.
 Remarriage
Remarriage for Christians: Muslim views to
• Jesus said that anyone who “Anyone who divorces his wife and married another remarriage
divorced and remarried were woman commits adultery against her. And if she • Remarriage is acceptable-
committing adultery. divorces her husband and married another man, she Muhammad married a divorced
• The Catholic Church do not commits adultery.” women,
accept remarriage.
• Men should support their ‘ex’
• However they allow remarriage
wives until they remarry.
if their first marriage was
annulled.
• Divorced Anglicans can
marry someone else in
church with the Bishop’s
permission.
• Protestant and Methodist
Christians allow remarriage
in church as long as the “Divorced women shall
couple take their vows
also have maintenance
seriously.
• The Church should reflect as is considered fair;
the forgiveness of God and this is a duty for those
allow people who have made who are mindful of God.”
mistakes the opportunity to
find happiness in a second
marriage,
 The nature of family
Key Terms Definitions
Family A group of people who are related by blood, marriage or adoption.
Nuclear Family A couple and their children regarded as a basic social unit.
Stepfamily A family that is formed on the remarriage of a divorced or widowed person and that includes a child or children.

Extended family A family that extends beyond just parents and their children by including grandparents and other relatives as well.
Polygamy Having more than one wife at a time
Bigamy The offence of marrying someone while already married to another person.

Muslim beliefs about the nature of family

Christian views on the nature of
families • Muslims believe that extended families are a part of God’s plan. Role of Parents- Christians
• Christians place a high value on family • Families shape the moral values an character of children. • Good parents love, care for
life because it is in a family that a • Muslims should care for the elderly with kindness and respect and raise their children to
child learns to love. (because they cared for you when you were young. know right from wrong.
In Biblical times people lived in • Islam allows men to have more than one wife.
•
• Prophet Muhammad had several wives.
• Religious parents are
extended families- so both young and expected to raise their
old could be looked after. They also
then continued religious traditions and
children within their faith.
Role of parents and children- Muslim
values within the family. • Men are expected to work, provide and take responsibility for
• Christian parents want to
• Some people practised polygamy. major decisions. raise their children with
• Christians believe that the ideal • Women look after the home, raise children and make decisions Christian values.
marriage is between one man and about the home.
woman. • A mother commands great respect and obedience from her “Here one learns endurance
• Bigamy is illegal in the UK. children.
• Some Christians disapprove of same
and the joy of work… love,
• Muslims parents are expected to love and care for their children
sex parents because they feel the and bring them up in the faith of Islam.
generous, and even repeated,
ideal is for children to grow up with a • Sometimes they will help them to find suitable marriage partners. forgiveness and above all
male and female role model. • Some send children to mosque school. divine worship in prayer and
• Some say as long as children are loved • Muslims do not accept same sex parenting because they should the offering of one’s life.”
it does not matter. have male or female role models.
 The purpose of family
Christian views on the purpose
The purpose of family
of family Muslim views on the purpose of family
• The idea of family is deeply • Family is the main building block • The Qur’an addresses married people are
ingrained in Christian beliefs about of any society. guarded and protected.
God. • It is where procreation takes • Family prevents sin, loneliness and outside
• God is the Father and Jesus his son place and the needs of children danger.
and humankind his children. are met. • This is extended to all members of the family.
• Christians should educate their • Happy families create stability
children about the faith. for members of the family.
• Parents should be good role models. • Protection of children is
• Some parents will make worship part important for family life.
of their lives, send children to faith • Parents teach their child right
schools or take them to church. from wrong and how to get along
with others and fit into society,

Children
• Children are a blessing from
Children The elderly God and the family should be
• The Christian church • Old age is an important time in life when a stable environment for
teaches that children have people can focus on their faith. their upbringing.
Parents
responsibilities to their • Older people have a great deal of wisdom • Parents have a duty to raise
• The Christian Church
parents. and experience to offer younger people. their children to be good
teaches that parents have
• ‘Honour one’s father and • Islam honours the elderly. Muslims.
responsibilities to their
mother’- respect the • Muslims should take care of their parents • Children also have a duty to
children.
elderly member of the when they become ill or frail. be respectful to their
• Children are gifts from
family. • Some will not put parents in a care home parents and elders.
God, they must respect
• Children must love and but take care of them themselves. • Being unkind or disrespectful
their human dignity.
respect their parents for • It is an honour to repay them for their to one’s parents is a great
all they have for to help childhood. sin.
them grow.
 Gender Equality
Gender equality Christian views Muslim views
• Most people agree with the idea of • All people have been created as equals in • Muslims believe that God created everyone
gender equality. the image of God. equal.
• Gender prejudice is often based on • ‘Love thy neighbour’ shows that • The Qur’an teaches that men and women
sexual stereotyping. discrimination is wrong. were created from a single soul and have the
• Sexual stereotyping can lead to • Jesus treated women with respect, same spiritual human nature.
gender discrimination. • Jesus had female disciples who were more • Men and women have the same religious and
• In the past, men have had roles of capable of things other than just domestic moral responsibilities.
power and had more rights than tasks, • Muhammad taught that anyone, man or
women. • Some traditional Christians believe that women, who does a good deed for God’s sake
• Just because roles are different men are the head of the family and that will be rewarded.
does not meant they are not equal. women should mainly stay at home and care • Mother’s are of high value within Islam. They
for children. bring up the children.
• Some see marriage as an equal partnership • Modern Muslims in the UK share financial and
where the different gifts of each person, raising the children as both their
male and female, strengthen family life. responsibilities.
• Some non-Muslims believe that Muslim women
suffer prejudice because of wearing the
hijab or veil- but this it not always the case.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, “People, We created you all from a
neither slave nor free, nor is there single man and a single woman, and
male or female, for you are all one in made you into races and tribes that
Christ Jesus.” you should recognise one another.”