Marriage and the family Flashcards

Question

How can the parish help families?

Answer 1

supporting couples who are expecting children, e.g. by organising classes and social events organising family events and special family worship services running parental support classes being involved in rites of passage, e.g. christenings or marriages within the family encouraging children to attend Sunday School and special services, e.g. crib services providing counselling support.

Answer 2

Local churches will hold family services, to allow families to worship together. This could involve having a shorter service or involving children within the service. In Sunday School, children learn more about the Christian faith.

Answer 3

Christians believe it is important to follow the teachings of Jesus, who showed humans how to care for each other. They believe that this includes the family as well as all Christians worldwide.

Answer 4

Rites of passage celebrate key points in a person’s life. They include occasions such as a birth or marriage. The Church recognises the importance of celebrating these events as a family. Relatives and friends may attend baptism or marriage ceremonies, as well as members of the wider Church community.

Answer 5

Many Christian communities will offer counselling services such as the Marriage Care or the Catholic Child Welfare Council. They will discuss issues and offer solutions. Ministers or vicars may also counsel couples if they are experiencing confl ict or struggles.

Answer 6

The parish provides practical, emotional and spiritual support. The parish allows Christians to socialise with others who share their faith and beliefs. The support of the parish demonstrates the love of God, as family was part of his intention for humanity. The parish provides a sense of Christian community and strengthens the Church and the people within it.

Answer 7

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:13–14)

Answer 8

This passage is taken by Christians to mean that children are important to God. Some Christians believe it means that they should take their children to church in order to learn about God and Christianity. Others interpret it as the Church having a duty or responsibility to provide for families, including parents and children.

Answer 9

Natural methods of contraception include the rhythm method, which is when a couple has sex when the woman is not fertile (ovulating). * Artifi cial methods are humanmade objects designed to prevent pregnancy. They include the condom and the birth control pill.

Answer 10

Contraception is a challenging issue for Christians. There are no direct teachings in the Bible, since it is a more modern issue, but Christians rely on their Church teachings.

Answer 11

* Every sexual act should be open to the possibility of a child, so artifi cial methods of contraception should not be used. * Contraception prevents one of the main purposes of sex – having children. * Contraception could encourage promiscuity or casual sex, which could lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). * Natural forms of contraception are acceptable as procreation is still possible. * Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae (1968) affi rms that contraception is not acceptable

Answer 12

Some Protestants agree with using contraception because: * the main purpose of sex is procreation, but sex is also for pleasure as an expression of love between a husband and wife * contraception is a sensible method of family planning * using artifi cial methods of contraception does not go against God’s teachings.

Answer 13

Atheists might argue that each person’s situation should be taken into consideration. They believe that people may use contraception because: * they want to plan when to have a family * they are not ready to have children * a couple’s lifestyle may not be compatible with having children * pregnancy could be harmful to the mother * they want to be safe from STIs * the couple carry genetic disorders.

Answer 14

Humanists generally have no issue with the use of contraception. The British Humanist Association argues that if contraception ‘results in every child being a wanted child, and in better, healthier lives for women, it must be a good thing.’

Answer 15

Marriage is intended to be for life – symbolised by the ring given in the wedding ceremony being an unbroken circle. Christians believe that if divorce is needed to end a marriage, the couple should have fi rst tried everything possible to reconcile. If one of the couple dies, the marriage is effectively ended and the partner is free to remarry.

Answer 16

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Mark 10:9)

Answer 17

Divorce is not recognised because marriage is for life. * Jesus said divorce is wrong. * Marriage is a sacrament and divorce would break the promises made with God. * The marriage bond is not broken even if a couple receives a legal civil divorce. * Remarriage is not accepted. If a divorced person remarries, the ceremony cannot be held in a Catholic church. * A legal separation may be acc

Answer 18

Divorce is not to be encouraged, but may sometimes be necessary. * Divorce must be acceptable as UK law allows it. * People can make mistakes and God is ready to forgive sins. * It is up to the individual minister to decide whether a couple is allowed to remarry in their church.

Answer 19

Humanists believe that the breakdown of a marriage can cause problems within the family, but they accept that divorce can sometimes be necessary. They do not associate marriage with religion, so do not feel any promises to any sort of God are broken. * Atheists may hold similar views. They may adopt an ethical standpoint similar to that of situation ethics, where they consider the best action in each individual situation in order to make a decision. If, for example, the marriage is causing arguments and disagreements, especially if children are involved, the best action in this situation may be for the marriage to end through divorce. * Christians will respond differently to these views, depending on their own beliefs.

Answer 20

Men and women were both made in the image of God. God made humans to be different from all other creations. Some parts of the Bible suggest that God made woman as a ‘helpmate’ for man. A literal interpretation could be men are the head of the household with women looking after the home and children. Another interpretation is that men and women are intended to work together alongside each other equally. Many Christians today may feel that a traditional understanding of men as providers and women as carers is outdated. Other Christians today may argue that men and women are equal and either can provide or take care of the home and children. alongside each other equally.

Answer 21

It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him. (Genesis 2:18)

Answer 22

Humanists and atheists are likely to accept more modern interpretations of the roles of men and women within the family unit. They believe in the equality of men and women and support their roles, as long as they are happy in them.

Answer 23

is when a person is judged on their gender to be superior or inferior.

Answer 24

also known as sexism, is when a person is treated differently from another person as a direct result of their gender. This could be positive (in their favour) or negative (against them).

Answer 25

Catholic Christians only accept men to hold the positions of bishop, priest or deacon and pope. They believe that these roles represent Jesus, who was male, and follow the teaching in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that only a baptised man can hold these positions

Answer 26

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)

Answer 27

This verse states that all humans – male and female – are equal before God. Yet gender inequality still exists in the world.

Answer 28

Many Christian organisations promote gender equality, including Christian Aid and Tearfund, which believe gender inequality goes against issues of human rights. They work in partnership with communities to try to tackle inequality. They use Christian teachings such as those of stewardship and all people being cared for to support their views.

Answer 29

Atheists and humanists are likely to share the view that men and women are equal, albeit for different reasons. Humanists and atheists may argue that it is a matter of principle that all people are seen to be of equal value and worth. They may argue that everyone, of whatever gender, should be given the same opportunities. Christians would respond to these views by arguing that it goes beyond simply being a matter of equality that men and women are the same, but that it is a teaching from God (as in Galatians 3).

Marriage and the family Flashcards

(53 cards)