Unit 1 - Christian responses to: Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriage Flashcards
When did it become legal in the UK for same-sex couples to have their union recognised in civil partnerships?
21st December 2005
What is civil marriage?
A marriage without a religious ceremony.
What is a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is an alternative to marriage for same-sex couples.
Civil partnerships were introduced in the UK to allow same-sex couples to obtain the same rights and responsibilities as with civil marriage (as they were legally unable to marry).
What does the COE and Catholic Church believe about civil partnerships?
- The CC and COE are both against civil partnerships
- Both Churches teach that marriage is the proper place in which sexual relationships should occur
- The main role of sex is procreation
- Therefore, performing a civil partnership would suggest that homosexual sex is as acceptable as married heterosexual sex, which is completely against their teaching
- Making civil partnerships the same as heterosexual marriages in the eyes of the Church would undermine their teaching that it’s best that children be raised by their biological parents
Are COE vicars allowed to have civil partnerships?
Yes, but they’re required to remain celibate (abstaining from marriage and sexual relations)
What would Liberal Christians believe about civil partnerships/same-sex marriage?
- Should be acceptable to the Church
- Some civil partnerships provide unity and companionship in the same way that heterosexual marriage does
- Civil partnerships reflect biblical equality
- Same-sex couples should have the freedom to marry that other couples have
What is the difference between a marriage and civil partnership?
- By law a marriage requires set words to be said in order to agree the marriage
- A civil partnership just requires a legal document to be signed by the couple
When did same-sex marriage become legal in England and Wales?
March 2014
What is required to end a civil partnership?
Dissolution order
What does the COE believe about same-sex marriage?
- Doesn’t allow COE ministers to carry it out
- Ruled out special services of blessing for married same-sex couples (until very recently)
- Vicars aren’t allowed to enter into same-sex marriages themselves
- COE members may enter same-sex marriages, but the weddings won’t be conducted in the Church
- Teaches that marriage should be between a man and woman
What does the Catholic Church believe about same-sex marriage?
- Homosexual acts are against the natural law since they can’t result in children
- Opposed to same-sex marriage
- Concerned about heterosexual marriage being undermined
Name a Church that allows same-sex marriage to take place
The Episcopal Church of Scotland
Belief that ‘love transcends sexuality and gender’
