Theme A - Relationships And Families

Question 1

What is the general view of most religious believers on polygamy?

Answer 1

Most religious believers do not support polygamy; it may be viewed as adultery

Question 2

What is typically seen as the ideal form of marriage?

Answer 2

Monogamy

Question 3

What are some potential issues associated with polygamy?

Answer 3

Unfair treatment of one wife, jealousy, instability in family, sexual immorality

Question 4

What historical context exists for the practice of polygamy in many religions?

Answer 4

Multiple wives symbolized status and power, or a first wife was unable to conceive

Question 5

What do Buddhists generally think about polygamy?

Answer 5

Buddhists do not encourage polygamy - lacks karuna, Metta, causes suffering. May stem from greed; 3 poisons

‘ a woman’s worst misery is to quarrel with her co-wives’
‘Being a co-wife is painful’

Question 6

Did the Buddha forbid polygamy?

Answer 6

No, the Buddha did not forbid polygamy

Question 7

What is suggested by the Buddha regarding polygamy?

Answer 7

It may cause suffering and be seen as unskilful action against the Five Moral Precepts

Question 8

What should a family be built on according to Buddhist beliefs?

Answer 8

Love and respect for each other

Question 9

How do Christians view polygamy?

Answer 9

Christians are against polygamy, believing marriage should be between two people only

Question 10

Christian quote against polygamy

Answer 10

‘Each man should have his own wife and each woman should have her own husband’

Question 11

What is a cultural exception regarding polygamy among Christian converts in Africa?

Answer 11

They are permitted to keep their wives but must promise not to marry again

Question 12

What historical practice allowed polygamous marriage within Mormonism?

Answer 12

Historically, Mormon practice allowed polygamous marriage

Question 13

views from the RCC about sex

Answer 13

• Always have potential to lead to procreation.
• Within marriage
• outside marriage is seen as adultery - breaks one of ten commandments

Question 14

CofE views about sex

Answer 14

Couples are permitted to cohabit - presumed that they’re having sex - as a step towards marriage

Question 15

Christian quotes AGAINST homosexuality

Answer 15

-‘you shall not lie with a man as you do a woman’
-‘a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife. They become one flesh’
- ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered’

Question 16

Christian views about homosexuality

Answer 16

• no chance of procreation so RCC forbids it

Question 17

Buddhist views on homosexuality

Answer 17

As long as it doesn’t cause suffering then it’s ok

Question 18

Roles of parents

Answer 18

• provide a stable environment
• ‘ be fruitful and multiply’
• Dissuade kids from doing evil
• ‘ spare the rod, spoil the child’ ; Christian quote for using physical force to discipline children
• Teach them about morals
  -Be present kind and forgiving

Question 19

Role of children

Answer 19

• respect parents
• Look after parents
  -Bring joy and happiness
• ‘ children obey your parents for this pleases the Lord’
• ‘ honour their mother and father’
• ‘ parents are the pride of their children’

Question 20

RCC response to sex outside marriage

Answer 20

• ‘ the sexual act must take place within marriage. Outside marriage always constitutes a grave sin.’
• Every time sex occurs there should be a possibility of procreation but not outside marriage as this means kids we brought up in an unstable environment

Question 21

CofE response to sex outside marriage

Answer 21

• teachers that marriage is the proper place in which sexual relations should occur because sex is an act of love and loyalty reflecting total commitment as expressed in the marriage vows
• Christians except that cohabitation including sexual relationship is for many people are stepped towards commitment to marriage

Question 22

Reasons people may cohabit

Answer 22

• To show commitment
• Pleasure
• Because they love each other
• Not ready or able to get married

Question 23

Christian teachings about adultery

Answer 23

• ‘ thou shall not commit adultary’ : 10 Commandments
• it breaks the marriage vowels made before God
• jesus said that even looking at another woman lustfully is adultery
• jesus tells the adulterous woman to “leave her life of sin” however he says that she shouldn’t be judged by others as all people sin

Question 24

Buddhist teachings about adultery?

Answer 24

• Abstain from sexual misconduct as it causes suffering
• Most Buddhist monks and nouns take a vow of celibacy when they become ordained
• For lay Buddhists, sex is not viewed as wrong or shameful
• Sexual attraction involves craving which is one of the main causes of suffering and it must be approached ethically
• Sexual behaviour should be guided by kindness, generosity honesty and awareness
• Sex before marriage is acceptable and no less moral than sex within marriage
• What is wrong is to cause harm to others through sex
• Some Buddhists wait until marriage to have sex but that is likely to be influenced by local culture practices are not by religion.
• Adultery is unskilful because it involves deceit and causes harm

Question 25

Buddhist teachings about marriage

Answer 25

- buddhism does not view marriage as a religious duty it is seen as a social contract - Buddhist weddings are not religious occasions - Buddhists are not expected to fill any religious obligation or pressure to have children and it should be the personal choice of a couple

Question 26

Is marriage important in today’s world?

Answer 26

Yes : - sex is only acceptable within marriage for procreation - You become “one flesh” - in RCC, marriage is a sacrament and an expectation - Cement relationships - Provides stability for children - Financial benefits and stability - christians believe it is a traditional religious duty - Declaration of love No: - Some people may not be able to get married due to financial reasons or it may be illegal in their country - Cohabitation is acceptable in Buddhism and Church of England, but not Roman Catholic Church - Not as many people are religious in today’s society - Marriage is a personal choice - It is not a sacred act in Buddhism - Society has changed it is acceptable to have kids outside marriage - You can still provide a stable home for children outside marriage

Question 27

Why may a couple divorce?

Answer 27

- physical or mental abuse - Financial problems - Adultery - Wanting to follow different paths in life - Falling out of love

Question 28

What is annulment?

Answer 28

The Catholic Church ruling that a marriage was never valid

Question 29

Roman Catholic views about divorce

Answer 29

- A couple can separate but should not remarry in a Catholic Church while their spouse is alive - Marriage is a sacrament and is permanent and exclusive and lifelong it cannot be broken - If they obtain an annulment, they can marry again in church - Marriage is for life - Marriage should be kept sacred - Couples struggling in their marriage should seek counselling and aim for reconciliation

Question 30

Church of England views about divorce

Answer 30

- sometimes divorce is the lesser of two evils - Divorced people can remarry in church with permission as long as the priest in charge is happy to perform the ceremony - Other churches allowed divorced and remarriage they believe that church should reflect the forgiveness of God

Question 31

Quotes for divorce

Answer 31

- ‘A wife must not separate from her husband, but if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And her husband must not divorce his wife.’ - ‘ what God has joined together let man not separate. Anyone who divorces his wife and married another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.’ - ‘ anyone who divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness causes her to become an adulteress’ - ‘ anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery’

Question 32

Buddhist teachings on divorce and remarriage

Answer 32

- there is no religious content to marriage between Buddhist and so “undoing” that marriage is not a religious problem - puts should work hard to try and improve the marriage and divorce should only be considered when a couple can’t reconcile - An unhappy marriage may cause anger and therefore Buddhist Mayfield divorce is the best option to avoid further suffering - Most Buddhists argue that clinging to an attachment that produces suffering goes against the Buddhist teachings - Divorce may be considered a compassionate action