SHORT COURSE GCSE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Transcription

1 SHORT COURSE GCSE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE REVISION BOOKLET Background Revision File Section 3: Marriage and the Family Key Words 1

2 Cohabitation Marriage Faithfulness Pre-marital sex Promiscuity Adultery Divorce Re-marriage Nuclear family Extended family Living together without being married. A man and woman legally joined so that they allowed living together and, usually, having children. Staying with your marriage partner and having sex only with them. Sex before marriage. Having sex with a number of partners without wanting a relationship. A married person having sex with someone other than their marriage partner. The legal ending of a marriage. Marrying again after being divorced. Mother, father and the children living as a unit. Grandparents/aunts/uncles living as a unit with mother, father and the children; or living very close and having a lot of contact. Reconstituted family Where two sets of children become one family when their divorced parents marry each other. KEYWORDS fill in using key words and definitions 1. Cohabitation 2

3 2. Marriage 3. Faithfulness Social Facts Many more couples now live together before getting married (in 1971, 7% of couples, in 1989, 48%) 3

4 Fewer people are getting married (405,000 people married in the UK in 1971, but only 299,000 in 1993). Many more marriages end in divorce (25,000 divorces in 1961, 165,000 divorces in 1991). There could be many reasons for the rise in divorces: It is easier and cheaper to divorce; People live longer and have more leisure time so they spend a longer time together, which may make them bored with each other; Women are less prepared to put up with bad treatment from their husbands than they used to be. The rise in the number of divorces means there are many more oneparent families and many people think children need to be brought up by two parents. Changes in jobs means that people have to travel around the country more looking for work which tends to break up the extended family. This means that parents have less help from relatives bringing up their children. Marriage and Family Life 4

5 Christianity Revision File Section 3: Marriage and Family Life Sex outside marriage Most Christians believe that sex should only happen in marriage and so sex before marriage is wrong. They believe this because: The Bible teaches that fornication is wrong and many Christians believe fornication is sex before marriage; Church leaders and the Catholic Catechism say that sex before marriage is a sin. Some liberal Protestants believe sex before marriage is all right as long as the couple love each other, are in a long-term relationship and intend to marry eventually. They believe this because: Jesus taught that love is the most important thing; The Bible does not specifically condemn sex before marriage; The Church has to come to terms with modern attitudes to cohabitation. All Christians believe that adultery is wrong because it breaks the marriage vows and the seventh commandment. 5

6 CHRISTIANITY SEX OUTSIDE MARRIAGE MOST CHRISTIANS They believe this because: SOME LIBERAL PROTESTANTS They believe this because: 6

7 Christianity Marriage Christians regard marriage as a gift from God, but they do not have to marry. The reasons (purposes) for Christian marriage are: For a couple to be able to live together in love; For a couple to have lawful sex; For a couple to have comfort and companionship; For a couple to have children; For a couple to create a Christian family. The main features of a Christian wedding are: Exchange of vows (promises) before God and witnesses; Exchange of rings blessed by God; Prayers, Bible readings on marriage, sermon or talk on the duties marriage; Communion to unite the couple with Christ and each other. Christian marriage is for life; as a vow (promise) in the marriage service says, to love and to cherish in sickness and in health till death parts us

8 CHRISTIANITY MARRIAGE (Purposes of) MARRIAGE (Features of)

9 Christianity Divorce Roman Catholic Christians believe there can be no divorce because: Jesus banned divorce; When people marry, they make a covenant with God which cannot be broken without God s consent, therefore a couple can never be divorced according to God s law. Catholics do have Marriage Tribunals which can decide that a marriage never existed (annulment), but there can be no divorce and Catholics who have state divorcees are not allowed to remarry. Most Protestant and Orthodox Christians disapprove of divorce, but believe that if a marriage goes wrong and there is no chance of bringing the couple back together, then there can be divorce. They believe this because: God is always prepared to forgive sins if people are determined to live a new life; In St Matthew Jesus allows divorce for adultery.

10 CHRISTIANITY DIVORCE Roman Catholics believe Because: Most Protestant and Orthodox Christians Because:

11 Christianity Family Life All Christians believe that children should be brought up in a family with a mother and father (unless one of them has died). The New Testament and the Christian Church teach that: Parents should love their children and provide them with food, clothes etc; Parents should set their children a good Christian example and encourage their children to go the church and be confirmed/baptised; Children should obey and respect their parents; Children should look after their parents if they can no longer look after themselves. Christians believe that the family is important because: The Bible has many references to the importance of family life; Christian marriage services refer to founding a family and bringing children up in a Christian environment as major purposes of marriage; Christians believe the family was created by God to keep society together; Christians see the family as the basis of society.

12 CHRISTIANITY FAMILY LIFE

13 Christianity How Churches help with family life Most Churches have infant baptism where parents dedicate their children to God and make promises about bringing their children up in a loving Christian home. Churches which have believers baptism (being baptised when you are old enough to believe for yourself) have dedication services where similar promises are made. These promises, the services and the prayers made at them must help parents in bringing up their children. Some Churches run schools which teach the National Curriculum in a Christian environment. Most churches run Sunday Schools and provide classes for confirmation. Churches welcome families and have monthly family services and special services at Christmas and Easter to bring families together. Many churches run uniformed organisations (cubs, brownies, girls and boys brigades etc.) and youth clubs and youth activities. Ministers / vicars / priests also act as a marriage and family counsellors and some churches (e.g. the Catholic Church) run marriage and family guidance services.

14 CHRISTIANITY HOW CHURCHES HELP WITH FAMILY LIFE

15 Islam Revision File Section 3: Marriage and Family Life Sex outside marriage Judaism does not allow sex before marriage or adultery. This is because: Orthodox Jews are completely against sex outside of marriage. They separate boys from girls at puberty and men and women worship separately in the Synagogue. The Talmud says that sex should only take place in marriage. The primary purpose of sex is for the procreation of children. You shall not commit adultery 10 Commandments. Some Reform and Liberal Jews do allow cohabitation as long as the couple are committed and will marry in the future. They think this because they believe that Judaism must adapt to the modern world. Judaism

16 They believe this because: ISLAM Marriage

17 MARRIAGE All Jews are expected to marry because it is commanded in the Torah. The reasons (purposes) for Jewish marriage are: So the couple can share Sex in the way God intended. To share a life of love; To have children and bring them up as good Jews. The main features of a Jewish wedding ceremony are: The couple meet in the Synaagogue and stand under the Huppah (canopy) The bride circles the groom seven times. Wine is blessed and drunk. The marriage contract (ketubah) is read and given to the bride. The groom smashes the glass to remind them of the danger of breaking/damaging their relationship. Like the glass you can put it back together but the cracks will always be there. Judaism

18 Judaism Divorce Quote If a man divorces his first wife, even the altar of the temple sheds tears (The Talmud)

19 As marriage is a contract in Judaism all Jews allow divorce. However Jews discourage divorce and encourage couples to stay together. Not all Jews agree with other about divorce. Orthodox Jews only allow men to divorce women. A man must apply for a get (certificate of Divorce) from the BET DIN (Jewish Court). Most orthodox Jews believe a man should not refuse his wife a divorce but it is up to the man to decide. They think this because the Torah says in Deutronomy 24 that a man must give his wife a certificate of divorce. The Halakah says that only a man can apply to the Bet Din for Divorce. Liberal/Reform Jews allow men and women to divorce and don t ask for a get they think a UK civil divorce is enough. They believe that the Torah and the Talmud are not the direct word of God and Judaism needs to be updated in the modern world. Judaism DIVORCE Divorce is This is because:

20 However, This is because: Judaism Family Life Family life is at the centre of Judaism. There are many teachings about family life in the Torah: Parents have a duty to look after their children; Children must respect their parents (honour your father and mother 10 Commandments). Jewish Children should look after their parents when they are no longer capable of looking after themselves. Parents must teach their children Jewish beliefs and keep the home Kosher. Parents must send children to the heder to learn Hebrew and prepare for Bar/ Bat Mitzvah.

21 Parents should set a good example to their children. The family is important in Judaism because: It was created by God to keep society together. It is the way God wants children to be brought up. It is the place where children learn about Judaism through the weekly observation of Shabbat. Children learn right from wrong through the family. Without the family there would be much more evil in the world. Judaism FAMILY LIFE

22 Family is important in Judaism because: Judaism How the Synagogue helps with family life; Many Synagogues run evening classes which teach Children about the Jewish faith Synagogues provide classes for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and teach the Hebrew language. Many Synagogues also provide social activities for young children which help keep them off the street and away from bad influences. Jewish schools provide a broad based education in a Jewish way so Jews can keep the faith. Many Rabbis try to help and give advice in issues of divorce or family financial problems.

23 Judaism HOW THE Synagogue HELPS WITH FAMILY LIFE

24 Non-Religious Attitudes to Cohabitation FOR It enables a couple to get to know each other before making the life long commitment of marriage. It gives a couple a chance to find out if they are sexually compatible. If things go wrong, a couple can split without the hassle of divorce. A couple can always marry if they decide to have children. AGAINST This encourages a casual attitude to relationships based on selfishness rather than caring for each other. They can know if they are compatible without living together. It is too easy to break up, couples will separate over differences which could be patched up. Marriage when a couple want to have children is happening less and less and society relies on families for social stability. Children need a stable home with two parents and this is best achieved by marriage.

25 NON-RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES TO MARRIAGE The fact that there are civil marriages (marriages in registry offices, rather than religious buildings) shows that marriage is undertaken by non-religious people. PURPOSE of a non-religious marriage: For a man and a woman to comfort and help each other; To have a happy sex life; To bring up children in a stable family. KEY ELEMENTS in a non-religious marriage are: Public witness that there is no reason why a couple cannot marry each other; An exchange of vows promising to live together in whatever circumstances until death; An exchange of rings signifying the marriage. REASONS for non-religious people to get married and not have sex outside marriage. Those who marry restrict sex to each other (so preventing sexually transmitted diseases such as Aids. Children are happiest and have the least suffering when they are brought up by two parents in a stable family, which is best achieved by marriage. The fact that marriage is a legal contract means that people cannot just walk out if they have a row. Therefore it is more likely that married people will stay together for life than those who just live together.

26 NON-RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES TO DIVORCE Although non-religious people believe marriage is intended for life, most would approve of divorce in the case of marriage breakdown. However, they may think divorce should be difficult to obtain. REASONS for this attitude might be: If there is no love left in a marriage, this will cause suffering not only to the parents, but also to the children who may be upset by rows between parents; If a mother / father have devoted their lives to their partner and the upbringing of the children, then they deserve some protection from the law. Without this people might be discouraged from devoting themselves to bringing up children and society would suffer.

27 QUOTES FOR REFERENCE CHRISTIAN TEACHING ON MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE CHRISTIAN TEACHING ON ADULTERY Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity. Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. CHRISTIAN TEACHING ON DIVORCE Mark 10:6-9 But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and be united with his wife and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. Mark 10:10-12 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery. Matthew 19:8-9 Jesus replied, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your

28 QUOTES FOR REFERENCE CHRISTIAN TEACHING ON FAMILY Ephesians 6:1-4 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise that it may go well with you and that you many enjoy long life on earth. Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Exodus 20:12 Honour your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

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