As1 Revision Answers Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are the qualities expected in a marriage partner?
The qualities expected in a marriage partner should firstly be commitment as this is the backbone of a relationship where the foundations of trust, love and mutual respect are built. It is important in maintaining the continuity and health of a marriage by keeping each partner close in their unity and is deemed one of the most important factors in a Christian marriage to keep it life-long and permanent. Another expected quality should be respect as without it, a marriage relationship can become one-sided as one partner makes all the decision and is commanding over the other partner, which can lead to issues such as domestic violence. Respect keepers the balance and love in the marriage bond as each partner feels worth something and independent in the decisions they make in their life, supported by their partner.
What is the symbolism in the rings?
Exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony symbolises the promise of unending love and the exclusive commitment that each partner is making. It shows that you are vowing that you will love and be devoted to one another for the rest of your lives together, showcasing the permanence of marriage. In addition, the circle of the ring represents no beginning and no end as your love for each other is everlasting, while the is side of the ring shows the future that this commitment brings, and for many couples this is one of the most special moments in their lives.
What are the vows in marriage?
The vows in marriage are commitments that each partner in a marriage will have to make for each other and it is required by law although the wording may change from church to church. One example of a more common vow is “for better for worse” which shows how no matter what happens in the future, the married couple will always have each other for comfort and happiness. Also the vow “for richer, for poorer” shows that each partner is committed to being there for each other every step of the way and and do not care about wealth or status but rather their undying love for each other.
What is an organisation that can help a couple?
Relate NI which is a registered charity that provides a range of relationship services to couples and families throughout Northern Ireland, which are confidential and available to people from all ages, class, faith, gender and background.
What is homosexuality?
The sexual or romantic attraction between people of the same sex or gender.
What is heterosexuality?
The sexual or romantic attraction between exclusively people of opposite sex.
What is celibacy?
When a person chooses to abstain from marriage or sexual relations.
Why might a person choose to be celibate?
A person might choose to be celibate due to trauma. Some people may have experienced sexual abuse and find that having another sexual relationship may trigger those memories , so by choosing to be celibate, they may be able to heal from this trauma with God. Another reason may be that putting the desire for sexual gratification aside is freeing and can to focus on things like work or a sporting commitment as they have more energy mentally to put into them. Finally, some people may choose celibacy as they don’t feel comfortable have sex or have sexual problems and may want to avoid an unwanted pregnancy to have to deal with.
What is the teaching on pre-marital sex?
Different teachings on pre-marital include, in the Catholic Church, it states that fornication is a carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of each person and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the generation and education of children. In the Church of Ireland, it states that pre-marital sex devalues the gift of human sexuality from God and any behaviour which hinders its fulfilment within the context of marriage is deeply from upon. Finally, the Presbyterian Church teaches that all sexual acts outside of marriage is fornication and sinful, contrary to the will of God, and destructive to our own person.
Why do marriages fail/end in divorce?
Marriages end in divorce for reasons such as the behaviour of one partner which makes it unreasonable or even unsafe for the couple to stay together due to things like abuse or a lack of commitment by one partner to the other. Another reason could be that the couple married too young and are not prepared mentally or financially as they did not realise the amount of commitment that is required in order to have a happy marriage and so want out of it. Finally, infidelity could lead to a divorce as the main purpose of the marriage may have been to have children, and if that is not possible, then it can drive a wedge between each partner as they see no other reason to be together.
What are the arguments for living together rather than getting married?
Reasons people live together rather than getting married is that firstly they may be too afraid of commitment as many couples want to test their compatibility by spending more time together before getting married. It allows couples to truly get to know one another in a way they might not if they lived separately. Also, cohabiting together means that people can remain financially and legally untangled from their partners, meaning that if a couple want to brea up, it makes the process easier and more informal as they avoid going to court to get a divorce. Moreover, a couple may feel afraid to commit to marriage as they are not prepared to take on the commitment required such as to bear children and so choose to live together rather than break God’s teachings on marriage. However, arguments against living together without getting married are that these relationships do not have legal recognition meaning that if one partner dies, their partner will not automatically inherit anything unless the couple jointly owned property or it is stated in a will. Also if someone inherits something from an unmarried partner such as money or property, they are not exempt from paying inheritance tax, as couples who are married are, making marriage more appealing.
Is marriage for life?
I agree that marriage should be for life as it is stated in the Bible that marriage is life-long and permanent, meaning that from the day when a couple say their marriage vows and God joins two people into one, it should not be separated until death parts a marriage. Also, a couple should know before they get married of the commitment required to live in a happy marriage for life and should not get married unless they feel that 5th can make this commitment and fulfil the spiritual marriage in the way that God wants them to, adhering to the teachings on marriage to maintain their life-long commitment. Moreover, many people believe that marriage being life-long as it helps them to approach marriage with a willingness to work through challenges together, communicate better, and create a good environment for raising children as they spend more time together, building the bond in their relationship. However, Bible teachings do allow the exception for marriage being life-long if one partner is being unfaithful within the marriage, such as by committing adultery, then the other partner is allowed to break this marriage as sexual relations are a very special part of the marital bond and if it is broken, divorce is allowed by the church. In addition, if one partner is suffering abuse such as verbal or physical abuse, then that partner is allowed to escape this unhappy marriage, breaking the spiritual obligation that marriage is life-long.
Celibacy - is it beneficial?
I believe that celibacy is beneficial as it can help people to focus on more important thing in their life such as work or a sporting profession. Priests and nuns are examples of this as they take a vow of celibacy in order to devote themselves to God and the services of other, as Christ did. They do not want any distractions from their duties because of family. Another reason it is beneficial is that it can help a person’s mental health as they are able to have a clearer head due to not having any sexual thoughts about their family. It can reduce stress and help a person to heal from grief or trauma, or to recover from sex addiction, and in doing so, it can build their relationship with God and their faith. Finally, celibacy can help people who want to avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease or an unwanted pregnancy and can help someone to get to know their potential partner a bit easier as they don’t fell the pressure of when it is the right time to introduce sex into the mix. However, celibacy can also not be beneficial as some people might feel that they are missing out on key life experiences, such as marriage or children, by eliminating sexual activities and may find it challenging to engage in romantic relationships. They also can suffer from loneliness due to not having anyone who has a strong bond to them and feel increased anxiety due to not having anyone close who they trust completely who they can relate in times of mental or physical struggle.
