1. Marriage and the Family

2. Keywords Cohabitation = living together without being married
Faithfulness = staying with your marriage partner and having sex only with them
Pre-marital sex = sex before marriage
Promiscuity = having sex with a number of partners without commitment
Adultery = an act of sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their marriage partner
Annulment = a declaration by the Church that a marriage never lawfully existed
Re-marriage = marrying again after being divorced from a previous marriage
Nuclear family = mother, father and children living as a unit
Re-constituted family = where two sets of children (step-brothers and sisters) become one family when their divorced parents marry each other
Homosexuality = sexual attraction to the same sex
Civil Partnership = a legal ceremony giving a homosexual couple the same legal rights as a husband and wife.
Contraception = intentionally preventing pregnancy from occurring
Procreation = making new life

3. Changing attitudes in the UK towards Cohabitation, Marriage, Divorce, Families and Homosexuality
Marriage - Pre-marital sex was thought to be immoral and wrong and marriage was the only socially acceptable way to have a sexual relationship. Contraception was hard to obtain and sex before marriage could easily lead to pregnancy which was seen as wrong. Marriage is now much less popular than in the past with many couples choosing to live together.
Reasons for change in attitudes – contraception is now easy to obtain. Society is also generally more relaxed about people have more than one sexual partner in their lifetime.
Cohabitation – this is very popular today however in the past would have been disapproved because marriage was the only acceptable way for a couple to live together.
Reasons for change in attitudes – cohabitation is seen as a way to lower the divorce rate as couples can try living together first. The Church is less important than before so marriage is not seen as a special promise in front of God. Contraception means that couples can enjoy a sexual relationship whilst cohabiting without having children.
Divorce – more than 1 in 3 marriages is likely to end in divorce. Attitudes to divorce have changed so those who now divorce are no longer made to feel like failures by society.
Reasons for change in attitudes – people now see life as too short to be stuck in a bad marriage. Rights for women mean they can divorce their husbands and be financially cared for.

4. Changing attitudes in the UK towards Cohabitation, Marriage, Divorce, Families and Homosexuality
Family Life- in the past the nuclar famil was the norm. However with increases in divorce there are now many re-constituded families with step-brothers and sisiters all living together under on roof.
Reasons for change in attitudes – attitudes to the traditional famil have changes and now peopl believe that what matters most is the those in the family are loved, it doesn’t matter who by.
Homosexuality– before 1967 it was a criminal offence to be gay. In 2005 civil partnerships were started which gives gay couple the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Reasons for change in attitudes – love is love!

5. Source of Authority explaining where this attitude comes from.
Christian attitudes towards Pre-Marital Sex
Church
Attitude towards
pre-marital sex
Source of Authority explaining where this attitude comes from.
Attitude to
adultery and
promiscuity
 Roman Catholic
&
Methodist
- Sex must take place
exclusively in marriage.
- Pre-marital sex is seen as
adultery.
- Therefore cohabitation is not
an option.
- “The sexual act must take place exclusively within marriage. Outside of marriage it always constitutes a grave sin.” Catechism of the Catholic Church
- You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14
Jesus said, “I tell you, anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 19:9
- God wants you to be holy and completely free from sexual immorality. Each of you men should know how to live with his wife in a holy and honourable way…” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
Not acceptable
 Some
Protestants
Church of England
- Prefer that sex is within marriage
- However understand times have changed.
- Prepared to accept cohabitation if it leads to marriage.
- The leaders of the Church of England recognise family life has changed but regret that so many couples are cohabiting.
Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which the husband and wife may know the grace of God. It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust….” Anglican Wedding Vows
Liberal
Christians e.g. Quakers
- Accept that pre-marital sex takes place.
- Main focus is to make sure this sex does not cause harm.
Human sexuality is a divine gift, forming part of the complex union of body, mind and spirit which is our humanity. The sexual expression of a loving relationship can bring joy, delight and faithfulness. Quaker Faith & Practice, 22:11

6. The Purpose of Marriage
Procreation men and women were created to have children
Unity a loving partnership of living together
Rearing children a way for nurture (looking after) and security
Pattern for society a family unit of supporting each other jointly
One flesh sexual intimacy as an expression of love
Sacred a relationship blessed by God
Endless a lifelong faithful partnership   

7. Main Features of a Christian Wedding Ceremony
takes place in a Church in front of God.
Vicar / priest introduces the PURPOSE of marriage and explains how important it is.
Couple make vows to each other:
I, N , take you, N , to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow
Bible readings
Prayers to ask for God’s blessing
Couple will exchange rings as a sign of the marriage. The rings are round with no end hopefully like the marriage itself.

8. Biblical teachings on Marriage
But amongst you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity. Ephesians 5:3
You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14
 At the beginning of creation God made humans ‘male and female’. Genesis 1 : 27
So God blessed man and woman and said to them: “Be fruitful and increase in number.” Genesis 1 : 28
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together let man not separate. Genesis 2: 24
Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.
Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy. Ephesians 5
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3
But amongst you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity.
Ephesians 5:3
You shall not commit adultery
Exodus 20:14
At the beginning of creation God made humans ‘male and female’.
Genesis 1 : 27
So God blessed man and woman and said to them: “Be fruitful and increase in number.”
Genesis 1 : 28
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one.
Therefore what God has joined together let man not
separate.
Genesis 2: 24
Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.
Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.
Ephesians 5
Children, obey your parents in every thing, for this
pleases the Lord
Colossians 3
But amongst you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity.
Ephesians 5:3
You shall not commit adultery
Exodus 20:14
At the beginning of creation God made humans ‘male and female’.
Genesis 1 : 27
So God blessed man and woman and said to them: “Be fruitful and increase in number.”
Genesis 1 : 28
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one.
Therefore what God has joined together let man not
separate.
Genesis 2: 24
Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.
Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.
Ephesians 5
Children, obey your parents in every thing, for this
pleases the Lord
Colossians 3
But amongst you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity.
Ephesians 5:3
You shall not commit adultery
Exodus 20:14
At the beginning of creation God made humans ‘male and female’.
Genesis 1 : 27
So God blessed man and woman and said to them: “Be fruitful and increase in number.”
Genesis 1 : 28
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one.
Therefore what God has joined together let man not
separate.
Genesis 2: 24
Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.
Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.
Ephesians 5
Children, obey your parents in every thing, for this
pleases the Lord
Colossians 3

9. How has legislation and society changed towards divorce?
Non-Religious attitudes towards Divorce
Atheists believe that because it is legal, you can get a divorce freely
They believe marriage is only by law, just a slip of paper- no eternal vows attached, therefore you can end it when you wish
They also believe that you have one life, and shouldn’t make yourself miserable staying in a marriage that you do not enjoy
How has legislation and society changed towards divorce?
Societies attitudes have changed immensely towards divorce, this could be due to the fact that our society is becoming multi-faith, (including atheism) and is changing its laws to suit everyone in the country, as oppose to Christian based laws.
Legislation
1857 – first men or women could obtain a divorce (female had to demonstrate adultery and one other offence had been committed.)
1923 – men and women had the same footing on divorce.
1969 – divorce only obtained if only one person wanted it although a 5 year ‘cooling off’ period was advised to sort out their differences.

10. Christian attitudes towards Divorce
For Divorce in some circumstances e.g.
Liberal Protestants:
Its better than keeping someone in a miserable relationship, which would hardly be a loving, Christian act to do
People should be given a second chance to go right where they previously went wrong
People may have been abused in their previous marriage, and think divorce is the only way out
God is all loving, and would understand why we allow divorce
Golden Rule.
Others claim Jesus allowed divorce in Matthew Ch19 v9 and that Christians are allowed forgiveness and a new chance for sins they confess to! Should have another chance at marriage as long as they are determined to make it work this time.
Against Divorce e.g. Catholics
Marriage is indissoluble, meaning that it can never be broken down as it was a serious promise made to God during the wedding vows.
Jesus seemed to condemn divorce in Marks gospel, “Any man 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.”
When you married you showed you would show commitment, fidelity, love and sacrifice towards your married partner, you made an eternal vow

11. Christian attitudes towards Remarriage
Catholic View: never acceptable unless the person has been widowed. Remarrying is like committing adultery as the promises you made to God in your first wedding can never be broken.
Some Protestants View: divorce is generally accepted but the Church does not allow another religious marriage in church. Divorced couples may be allowed a blessing in Church.
Church of England View: allow remarriage because they believe God forgives sins and allows people to make fresh starts. If a priest is not happy with this he can refuse to carry out the re-marriage.
Annulment
Catholics believe that you can get an annulment, an annulment is the declaration from the Church that a marriage never lawfully existed, because one or both of the couple did not mean their vow, they believe you can re-marry after an annulment
Catholics believe that the only way a marriage can be dissolved is by death of one of the couple, “till death do us part”- because of this, you can re-marry if you’re partner dies

12. Family life
It is pretty self-explanatory, family life is simply life in the family- there are different types of family
Nuclear family- the ‘traditional’ view, mother, father and children
Re-constituted family- 2 separate families joined together by marriage, for example, step-brothers and sisters
Extended family- living with immediate family as well as aunties, uncles etc.
Single parent family- children being brought up by a single parent

13. Why Christians believe that family life is important
Christians believe that children should obey their parents, as they are instructed to in the fourth of the ten commandments, and parents should also treat their children fairly, as stated in St. Paul’s teachings
Christians believe family life is important because you should have a set of morals, that you make your decisions by, and these morals will be enforced during your upbringing
Having a family is an expected outcome of Christian marriage, shown in an openness to fertility

14. How Churches supports bringing up children
Children are an important part of every family, including the family of Church.
Christian churches offer many different things to support children. These include:
Church schools
Youth Clubs
Mummy and baby groups
Playgroup
Family services in the church
Sunday school
Specialist help e.g. helping to care for a child with a disability

15. How Churches help families stay together
Family is really important to Christians an it is improtant that families stay together and are happy.
The church recognizes this is not always easy so they have different things that can support families going through difficult times.
Christian churches offer many different things to support families. These include:
Childcare and clubs to all parents time together
Giving a break to family carers of a disables child
Marriage and family counseling
Short term accommodation if a family is homeless and migh be split up
Marriage course before people get married
Friends from church who support you and listen
Advice and support

16. Morning After Pill (72 hour pill)
Contraception
Abstinence – No Sex!
Morning After Pill (72 hour pill)
The Pill
Implant
Sterilization
The Cap
Rhythm Method
Condom

17. Christians and Contraception
Church of England – sex between man and wife is a good thing. Family size is important so contraception is good as it makes sure families can control the size of their family.

18. Contraception Preventing conception from occurring naturally.
Catholic View
Contraception is not permitted as it prevents the act of sexual love being open to new life. A natural planning method e.g. the Rhythm Method is the only way acceptable.
Preventing conception from occurring naturally.
Video on Christian attitudes to contraception
Church of England View
All methods of contraception are allowed as the Church believes it is the most loving thing to do for a couple to choose when to have a family and the size of the family. It could cause pain if a couple had too many children and they couldn’t afford to care for them.