RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

1. RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The roles of men and women within a Christian family Christian marriage ceremonies i) ways in which these reflect & emphasise Christian teaching about marriage ii) provide guidance Christian beliefs about the ethics of divorce Christian beliefs about sexual relationships and contraception

2. Christian ideas about the roles and responsibilities of MEN and WOMEN within the family • These views can be divided into Traditional and Modern. • Traditional views are that men and women are equal but have different roles within the family. Men are providers, women homemakers and carers. • Modern views are that men and women share equal responsibility for all aspects of family life. • Modern views tend* to be linked to the Church of England, Methodist etc • Traditional views tend* to be linked to Evangelical, Orthodox and Roman Catholic. • *these are generalisations!

3. Being a couple in the 21st century • Many more couples now live together before getting married (in 1971 7% of couples, 48% in 1989) • Fewer people are getting married (405,000 people married in the UK in 1971, but only 292,000 in 1995) • Many more marriages end in divorce (25,000 divorces in 1961, 155,000 divorces in 1996)

4. Bible Teaching on Marriage • The importance of marriage is emphasised by Jesus But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Mark 10:6-9 • This is based on the teaching in the book of Genesis: ‘A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.’ Genesis 2 v 24

5. What is the PURPOSE of marriage for Christians? • Procreation - having children • Union - a loving partnership of living together • Rearing children - providing nurture & security • Pattern for society - family unit of mutual support • One flesh - sexual intimacy • Sacred - blessed by God • Eternal - lifelong faithful relationship

6. Key terms Divorce Annulment The legal dissolving of a marriage so that people are free to marry others. A declaration that a valid marriage never existed. (This is practised by the Roman Catholic Church who do not recognise divorce)

7. A marriage is broken down if one of the following can be proved: The UK has one of the highest divorce rates in the world. Unreasonable behaviour. Divorce – some facts! Two years desertion In 1974 there were 113,000 divorces. Adultery (having an affair). Before a court can grant a divorce, it has to be shown that the marriage has broken down. In 2002 there were 160,000 divorces. The couple have lived apart for two years and the other spouse consents to divorce. The couple have lived apart for five years (no consent is needed).

8. Biblical views on divorce Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.“ Matthew 19:8-9 “Thou shall not commit adultery” Exodus 20:14 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." Mark 10:10-12 “What God has united, man must not divide” Mark 10:9

9. Sex: Christian teaching is generally that sexual intercourse is wrong unless it happens within a marriage. God intended men and women to live together as married couples but not to live together outside marriage. St Paul wrote ‘Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?’ 1 Corinthians 6 18-19 He also wrote that celibacy is a better option for many ‘ Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to ‘ 1 Corinthians 7 v9

10. Contraception:Contra – againstConception – fertilization of an egg by a spermContraception is used by sexually active couples wishing to avoid pregnancy

11. Roman Catholics will not use any form of contraception that interferes with the natural process of conception.Some other Christians believe that life begins at conception, and therefore reject forms of contraception that destroy an embryo.

12. Rhythm Method • There are certain times during a woman’s menstrual cycle when she is less likely to fall pregnant. • This diagram represents a typical, 28 day menstrual cycle. Fertile Time An unfertilized egg lives only up to 24 hours after ovulation. However, sperm cells can live as long as five days in the female reproductive tract. If sperm are present as the egg travels from the ovary through the fallopian tube, fertilization can occur. Therefore, if a couple avoid sexual intercourse during this time of a woman’s monthly cycle, pregnancy is less likely to occur. This method of avoiding pregnancy is acceptable to the Catholic Church. However, it is important to remember that, as most women’s cycles do not conform to a regular pattern, this is a far less reliable method of contraception that the artificial methods available.