Theme A

Question 1

When did same-sex marriage become legal in the UK?

Answer 1

2013

Question 2

Give two examples of a positive attitude to homosexuality from religion

Answer 2

Church of England allows same-sex couples to enter into loving relationships though will not let them marry. / Metropolitan Community Church is pro-LGBT. / The Dalai Lama has said “If two people… really feel that way… then okay”

Question 3

Give two examples of a negative attitude to homosexuality from religion

Answer 3

Genesis describes men and women as “one flesh” suggesting that God did not intend homosexual relationships / Leviticus (Old Testament) says “If a man has sexual relationships with a man as one does with a woman… They are to be put to death” / In Theravada Buddhism, homosexual men are not allowed to be ordained due to the elephant keeper incident.

Question 4

Give two religious teachings about sex outside of marriage

Answer 4

Christianity is generally opposed to due the belief that sex is the consummation of marriage / The Buddha taught that a man should only have sex with his wife, and that sexual craving leads to suffering / However, Buddhists in more relaxed cultures are not as worried about sex before marriage because marriage is not a sacrament in Buddhism

Question 5

What are the two types of contraception?

Answer 5

Natural - planning around a woman’s fertility
Artificial - use of manmade contraceptives e.g. condoms

Question 6

Give two examples of positive attitudes towards contraception from religion

Answer 6

The Church of England allows all forms of contraception as long as they are used within marriage / The Catholic Church allows only natural contraception / Most Buddhists believe that contraception is harmless

Question 7

Give two examples of negative attitudes towards contraception from religion

Answer 7

The Catholic Church forbids the use of manmade contraception / Buddhists may worry that widespread use of contraception encourages casual sex and cheating, which will create craving/suffering/bad karma

Question 8

Give three purposes of marriage for a religious person

Answer 8

Christians see marriage as a lifelong union of two people in the eyes of God / Christians believe marriage is the only place where procreation should take place / Marriage for Christians is a sacrament, bringing them closer to God / For Buddhists marriage is a way of building good karma for a layperson, e.g. by raising a child according to Buddhist values / It is an opportunity for religious people to raise children within a religion

Question 9

Give two positive religious teachings about divorce

Answer 9

The Church of England will allow divorce if it is the right thing for the couple / Many Buddhists will allow divorce as they recognise anicca: all things are impermanent, even love

Question 10

Give two negative religious teachings about divorce

Answer 10

Many Christians e.g. Catholics are opposed to divorce and only allow annulment. / The Old Testament teaches that God “hates divorce”. / Buddhists generally discourage divorce if problems can be fixed by healthy communication and patience.

Question 11

Why might some religious people choose not to be part of a normal family structure?

Answer 11

For may religious people they would prefer to become monks / e.g. Buddhists believe in avoiding attachment which could include attachment to family

Question 12

What types of family may religious people object to?

Answer 12

Polygamy / same-sex couples / blended and reconstituted families, if these go against traditionally teachings about sex outside of marriage

Question 13

What is the role of parents in a family?

Answer 13

Providing role models for children / providing emotional and financial stability for their children / committing to each other (marriage vows) / educating their children / raising their children within a religion / arranging a suitable marriage partner for their children

Question 14

What is the role of children in a family?

Answer 14

To respect their parents / to care for their parents in old age / to earn a living and support the family when they are old enough / to continue the family / to live according to the values they were brought up by / to support other members of the family e.g. brothers, sisters, parents

Question 15

When were women given the right to vote (suffrage)?

Answer 15

1918

Question 16

When were women given equal pay?

Answer 16

1970

Question 17

Give two religious arguments for gender discrimination/gender roles

Answer 17

Ephesians (New Testament) suggests that women should obey their husbands / Women cannot be priests in the Catholic Church because the priest represents Christ / Theravada Buddhists teach that women cannot reach Enlightenment because they are born with bad karma / Religious people may agree with secular arguments that some forms of gender discrimination are good for women, e.g. different allowances for childcare and maternity leave

Question 18

Give two religious arguments against gender discrimination/gender roles

Answer 18

Galatians (New Testament) suggests that men and women should be treated equally / In the Church of England women can be ministers / Buddhism was one of the first religions to allow a women’s order of nuns / Mahayana Buddhists believe that women have Buddhanature and are also capable of Enlightenment, as shown in the Lotus Sutra and the story of the Dragon King’s Daughter

Question 19

What is family planning?

Answer 19

Planning when to have a family and how big a family to have by use of birth control practices and/or contraception

Question 20

What is cohabitation?

Answer 20

A couple living together without being married/in a civil partnership

Question 21

What is an extended family?

Answer 21

Family unit comprising two parents and their children, but also grandparents, cousins etc.

Question 22

What is a nuclear family?

Answer 22

Family unit made up of two parents and their children

Question 23

What is polygamy?

Answer 23

The practice of having multiple spouses (wives and/or husbands)