Twenty Questions Marriage and Family

Twenty Questions

1. Why do Roman Catholics accept homosexuality but not accept homosexual sex / partnership? The Bible condemns (completely disapproves of) homosexual activity. Sexual activity should be creative (babies) as well as unitive (bringing two people together in a loving relationship. It is the teaching of the Magisterium. People cannot help their sexual orientation so it would be wrong to discriminate against them.

2. Why do Evangelical Protestants believe that homosexuality is a sin? The Bible condemns homosexuality in the Old and the New Testament so it must be wrong. They believe the salvation of Christ can remove all sins. In the past all Churches taught that homosexuality was wrong. They do not accept homophobia and homosexuals should be welcomed into the church as any other person would be.

3. Why do Liberal Protestant Christians accept homosexuality? The teachings of the Bible need to be interpreted in the light of modern knowledge. Anti- homosexual texts in the Bible are a reflection of Jewish belief at that time. The major Christian belief in love and acceptance. Christians should be open and honest about their nature and their life. If homosexual Christians believe they are accepted by the holy spirit – they feel close to God, then it should not be denied.

4. What is the Roman Catholic Christian attitude to contraception? Sex is unitive (a source of joy and pleasure for married couples) Sex is a gift from God. Responsible parenting can be achieved by restricting sex to the infertile period of a woman’s menstrual cycle. All sex should be open to procreation. Using artificial methods of contraception goes against God’s intentions / plan.(WHY)

5. What is the attitude of non-Catholic Christians to contraception? All forms of contraception are allowed. Christianity is about love and justice. Contraception improves a woman’s health and raises the standard of living for the rest of the family. Unitive effect – God created sex for enjoyment and to cement the bond of love in a marriage. The Bible does not forbid contraception. In 1930 the Anglican communion stated it was acceptable to use contraception to limit the size of the family.

6. Why do some Muslims think it is okay to use contraception to limit the size of a family? There are several Hadith which say that Muhammad allowed the use of a form of contraception. From this the Muslim law schools have said that artificial contraception is allowed. The Qur’an says that God does not place extra burdens on his followers. If pregnancy may result in the mother’s death then contraception must be allowed as not using it would be like committing suicide which is banned in the Qur’an.

7. Why do some Muslims think that contraception goes against the will of God? The Qur’an says ‘You should not kill your children for fear of want’. These Muslims believe that this means a ban on contraception as well as infanticide. God created sex for procreation. These Muslims are also against abortion and so would not allow contraceptives that act as abortifacient (that which causes a miscarriage). They believe it is the duty of Muslims to have large families.

8. Why does Islam teach that sex outside marriage is wrong? Sex before marriage is forbidden in the Qur’an. The Qur’an states that boys and girls should be separated after puberty. The Shari’ah states that sex should only take place in marriage. The primary purpose of sex is for procreation, and children should be born into the family of a married couple. Adultery is condemned by God in the Qur’an. Adultery breaks the marriage contract. The Qur’an and the Shari’ah teach that nothing should be done to harm the family. Adultery would harm the family and so must be avoided.

9. What does Christianity say about sex outside marriage? Sex should only take place between a man and a woman married to each other. Sex is for procreation. The Bible says that fornication (pre-marital sex and promiscuity) is sinful. The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns pre-marital sex. All Christians are against adultery as it breaks the wedding vows to be faithful to each other. Adultery is condemned in the 10 commandments. Adultery is condemned by Jesus. Some Christians accept living together as part of a long-term relationship as long as they marry before starting a family,

10. Why is family life important for Christians? One purpose of the family is to have children and bring them up in the faith. The family was created by God as a basic unit of society. Christian teachings make it clear that Christian parents should stay together and look after their children. The family is where children learn about right from wrong. Children are introduced to the faith through baptism and through being taken to church for worship, celebrating festivals, and Sunday school.

11. Why is family life important to Muslims / Islam? Children are a gift from God. On the last day they will be judged on how well they have brought up their children. The Qur’an teaches that the family is the basic unit of society and the only place that children should be brought up. Muhammad married and raised a family. The family is where children learn the difference between right and wrong. The family is where children are introduced to the faith through aqiqa, salah and ramadan, they are taken to the madrasah (Mosque school), and celebrating festivals. The family is important for the faith to grow.

12. What are the important things to talk about in a question on changing attitudes to family life? Changes (remember to learn why these things have changed); Age of marriage Number of divorces Extended v nuclear families Single parent families Co-habiting couples with / without families Re-constituted families Attitudes to homosexual sex Marriage for homosexual couples

13. Why do most Muslims allow divorce? The Qur'an allows divorce. The Shari’ah has laws about how divorce and remarriage should happen. Divorce may be the lesser of two evils. Marriage is a contract in Islam and the contract says what is to happen if a couple divorce.

14. Why do some Muslims think that divorce is wrong? Muhammad said divorce is the most hated of lawful things. Most Muslim marriages are arranged marriages and so there is family pressure not to divorce. Muslims will be judged by God on how well they have treated their children. The Qur’an teaches that families should try to rescue their marriage if at all possible.

15. Why does the Roman Catholic Christian Church not allow religious divorce or re-marriage? Marriage is a sacrament (a promise made before God and blessed by God). Jesus taught divorce is wrong (Mark’s gospel). The Catholic Catechism says that marriages cannot be dissolved. Remarriage is seen as adultery, a very serious sin. The Catholic Church does allow annulment if it can be proved that the marriage was never a true Christian marriage.

16. Why do most non-Catholic Christian Churches think divorce is wrong but allow it if the marriage has broken down? Jesus allowed divorce (in Matthew 19:9) for a partner’s adultery. In certain situations a Christian must choose the lesser of two evils. It is better than living in hatred and quarrelling all the time. Christians can be forgiven and given a new chance if they truly repent (say sorry).

17.What does sex outside marriage mean. Adultery AND Pre-marital sex.

18. How many attitudes to homosexuality are there in the Christian Church.? (Name the different branches of Christianity and what they think). Three. The Roman Catholics think being homosexual is natural but believe that homosexual sex is banned in the Bible. The Evangelical Church believe it is a sin and can be cured by the holy spirit. The Liberal Protestant Church believes that the Christian belief in love and acceptance means that homosexuals must be accepted.

19. Why do MOST Muslims think that homosexuality is wrong? Homosexuality is completely disapproved of (condemned) in the Qur’an. In several Hadith (sayings of Muhammad) Muhammad condemned homosexuality. God said in the Qur’an that marriage between a man and a woman is the only lawful form of sex. The primary aim of sex is procreation. The family is at the heart of Islam.

20. Why do a very few Muslims believe that homosexuality should be accepted? They believe that Islam is a religion of tolerance (allowing variation; showing understanding of other points of view). They believe that God created all people. God loves all people. The scientific evidence says that people are born homosexual and so God must have created them that way.