Unti 10 - Ethics

Question 1

What is the purpose of marriage for Catholics?

Answer 1

The purposes of sacramental marriage are known as the marks, or the external signs of marriage.

Loving - having a relationship of love and faithfulness.
Lifelong - having the lifelong support and comfort of each other.
Exclusive - being committed to only one marriage.
Fruitful - having the opportunity to procreate, have their own children, and the opportunity to bring up a Christian family. Infertile couples are not excluded from this.

Question 2

Catholic teachings about marriage

Answer 2

Catholics believe marriage is a gift from God with these main elements:
• Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love.
• Marriage opens a couple to the giving of new life.
• Marriage is a way to respond to God’s call of holiness.
• Marriage calls the couple to be a sign of Christ’s love in the world.
• The vows are the sacrament and the couple enters into a covenant, while the signing of the register at the end of the service is the legal marriage. The legal contract can be ended, but the covenant can not.
• The sacrament of marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

Question 3

Marriage in society

Answer 3

• Civil marriages are considered important events by many as they make a public declaration of two peoples love and commitment.
• Other Christian’s may consider marriage a religious ceremony and conduct it in a church, but may not see it as a sacrament.
• Humanists campaign for humanist weddings to be recognised as legal. Currently couples must also have a civil ceremony.

Question 4

Different views on marriage

Answer 4

• Same sex couples can marry in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014. Before this they were only allowed a civil partnership. The Catholic Church does not permit same sex marriages but other Christian churches may grant permission if they choose.
• Not all couples wish to marry. Some same-sex couples may choose a civil partnership or to cohabit. However legal rights of cohabiting couples are not the same as those in a civil partnership or marriage.
• Cohabiting couples are the fastest growing family type in the UK. The Catholic Church see cohabitation as a temptation to have premarital sex.

Question 5

What is the Catholic teaching on sex?

Answer 5

Sexual relations are:
• Unitive
• Marital
• Procreative

Question 6

Churches teaching on pre-marital sex?

Answer 6

This is sex before marriage. The church believes that sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed by a married couple to unify them as one and create children, so couples should abstain until married.

Question 7

Churches teaching on cohabitation?

Answer 7

This is when a couple lives together before marriage. Usually they are also in a sexual relationship. The church teaches it can encourage pre-marital sex.

Question 8

Churches teaching on same-sex?

Answer 8

This is sex between two men or two women. The Catholic Church teaches that to be homosexual is not a sin, however, homosexual relationships are.

Question 9

Churches teaching on extra-Marital?

Answer 9

This is adultery - sex outside of marriage with a person who is not your husband or wife. This breaks the promises of matrimony, and would be grounds for a civil divorce. A sacramental marriage cannot be dissolved and a divorced couple would still be married in the eyes of the Catholic Church.

Question 10

Different attitudes towards relationships?

Answer 10

• Family life has changed in the UK since the 1960s. Previously people were expected to wait until marriage to have sex, be married in a church by the age of 25, live as a nuclear family and not get divorced.
• Many people in the UK do not wait until marriage to have sex.
• 47.5% percent of babies in the UK are born to unmarried parents indicating how many couples cohabit.
• Same sex marriage has been legal in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014.

Question 11

Non-religious views about sex?

Answer 11

• People should behave morally but should have freedom within the limits of morality.
• Sexual relationships between 2 consenting adults are acceptable whatever their form. This should be a carefully thought through decision - what contraception should be used and couples should be faithful.

Question 12

Catholic views on sex?

Answer 12

• Catholics would not agree sex before marriage is acceptable.
• The Church teaches all forms of artificial contraception are wrong.
• Catholics agree couples should be faithful.
• The church does not recognise same sex marriages.

Question 13

Catholic Church’s understanding of the importance of family?

Answer 13

• The family is the principal place where the child is educated in morals.
• The family is a ‘communion of love’ where children can grow in security and care.
• Family Life is seen as a vocation for Catholics and something that is to be continued.

Question 14

Purpose of the family

Answer 14

• Lifelong relationships of love and faithfulness
• Support and comfort of each other
• To procreate and have children.
• To bring up a Christian family who receive the sacraments
• To be a sign of Christs love in the world.

Question 15

Differences between Catholic, human and atheist beliefs on family?

Answer 15

• Families are the consequences of a loving marital union.
• Catholics take their beliefs from the teachings of God.

Question 16

Different types of families

Answer 16

• Nuclear family - 2 parents and their children.
• Extended family - including grandparents, aunts, uncles living together.
• Single parent
• Same-sex parents
• Blended - a couple where one or both have children from previous relationships

Question 17

The Catholic Church’s reasons to all types of family?

Answer 17

• The church recognises that different types of family exist, but believes the nuclear family is the best way to raise a faithful catholic family.
• There was a synod on the family in 2015, which reiterated the pastoral responsibility of the family. Despite some Catholics being outspoken about issues concerned with cohabitation, same-sex marriages, divorce and remarriage the church has not changed any of its teaching on this topic.
• Familiarise Consortio its highlighted that:
• Parents should educate children in faith
• Church has a pastoral responsibility to support families. Also, the Catholic Church recognises that all types of families need support, it does not endorse all types of family.

Question 18

How does the Church support the family:
Family worship

Answer 18

• Attending the Mass is an opportunity for a family to be together.
• A liturgy more suitable for children also encourages attendance at the Mass for younger families.

Question 19

How does the Church support the family:
Classes for parents

Answer 19

• Catechism for baptism or first Holy Communion helps parents better understand the sacraments and catholic teaching.
• Classes exist to train parents in how to be a good Catholic parent.
• Marriage preparation classes teach family planning.

Question 20

How does the church support the family:
Groups for children

Answer 20

• Mother and toddler groups, Youth clubs, Guides and Scouts give children time to socialise with other young Catholics.
• Children’s liturgy during Mass gives children time to grow in their faith and allows parents times to worship.

Question 21

How does the church support the family:
Counselling

Answer 21

• Most parish priests are trained counsellors and are supported by parish or diocese volunteer teams.
• Organisations such as Marriage Care provide free counselling for couples experiencing issues with their relationship.
• Natural family planning is promoted at diocesan level and often forms part of marriage preparation courses.

Question 22

How does the church support the family:
Family group movement

Answer 22

• Parish friendship groups, any member of the parish is welcome to join them.
• Encourage monthly meetings where members take part in a low-cost activity, and enjoy time together in support of each other and love of Jesus.
• Their inclusive nature, encourages families, couples and individuals to come together.

Question 23

How does the church support the family:
Other help

Answer 23

• Charities such as St Vincent de Paul might help with donations of furniture for a struggling family.

Question 24

What is the Catholic teaching on family planning?

Answer 24

• Pope Paul VI said that preventing pregnancy ‘contradicts the will of the Author of life’. Catholics who use contraception are defying Gods will.
• Couples should not be forced to have children, but can space the, out using natural methods.
• Contraception can encourage sex outside marriage.
• Abortion is expressly forbidden.
• Pro-life is the term for religious and secular campaigns for the rights of the unborn.
• In the UK, abortion is legal under some circumstances.
• Some Catholic countries, such as Ireland, only allow abortion to save a mother’s life.

Question 25

What are other Christian attitudes towards family planning?

Answer 25

• Most other Christians allow non-abortive contraception methods - preventing pregnancy rather than terminating it - this means allowing condoms but not the morning after pill, for example.
• The Church of England say ‘contraception is not regarded as a sin or going against God’s purpose’
• Individual Christian’s may believe in situation ethics - that they need to decide what is right or wrong depending on the circumstances.
• The Catholic church does not agree it argues that:
• Humans do not have the power to contradict the will of God regarding life.
• Sex outside of marriage is wrong.
• Life begins at conception, and the unborn child is created in the image of God.

Question 26

What are non-religious attitudes towards family planning?

Answer 26

• Many humanists and atheists argue that contraception helps couples to be responsible and regulate births.
• Most non-religious people believe individuals should make decisions for themselves on issues such as contraception, family planning and abortion.

Question 27

Divorce

Answer 27

Ending of a legal marriage by a court of law.

Can they get remarried?
Not in the Catholic Church but other Christian Churches allow it.

Question 28

Annulment

Answer 28

A declaration that the marriage was never valid.

Can they get remarried?
Allowed in the Catholic Church as long as legal divorce is also obtained.

Question 29

Remarriage

Answer 29

One or both people getting married have been married before.

Can they get remarried?
Catholic Church states that marriage only ends when one of the partners dies. A Catholic can get remarried at this point if they wish.

Question 30

Church teaching

Answer 30

• The Catholic Church does not believe that a valid Catholic marriage can be dissolved because God has joined the man and woman together.
• The Church does allow for legal separation and civil divorce if this is in the interests of the safety or health of the couple and children.
• However the couple remain married in the eyes of God and the Church and so cannot marry anyone else.

Question 31

Other Christian attitudes towards divorce

Answer 31

Many other Christians allow divorce and remarriage. This is because:
• Some suggest Jesus allowed divorce when someone has been adulterous.
• Christianity is based on forgiveness so people should be allowed a second chance if they confess and are truly repentant.
• Christian’s sometimes need to pick the lesser of the two evils and the effects of remaining in a broken down marriage are, some would say, worse than getting divorced.

Question 32

Non religious attitudes towards divorce

Answer 32

• Marriage is not considered sacred, so most support liberal divorce laws.
• Most non religious people do not object to remarriage.
• Some believe in situation ethics - that the decision depends on individual cases.

Question 33

Catholic response to Non-religious attitudes toward divorce

Answer 33

• Marriage is a sacrament it cannot be ended.
• The Church can support couples in need of it, therefore divorce should not be the first option. Sometimes a civil one is necessary in unhappy circumstances.
• The needs of the family comes first not the individual.

Question 34

Examples of how gender equality is shown in the Catholic Church

Answer 34

• The Church teaches that men and woman should have equal roles and rights.
• Both men and woman can teach catechesis, distribute the Eucharist and perform many other jobs and lay roles within the Church.
• Women cannot be ordained.

Question 35

What does the creation narrative teach about the roles of men and women?

Answer 35

Similarities:
• Both were created in the image of God.
• Both disobeyed God.
• Both are cursed for disobedience.

Differences
• Eve was created from Adam’s rib so they would compliment and fulfil each other’s needs (neither is superior)
• They are cursed for their disobedience in different ways - women will experience pain when giving birth and men will have to work hard to make land produce crops.

Question 36

Church teaching on roles of men and women

Answer 36

• Men and woman have an equal role within the family.
• Both husbands and wives are called to give themselves in commitment.

Dignity of work in the home:
• The Church recognises the value of domestic work - whoever does it, it is not less important than work to generate income.
• The Church teaches that a man or woman who dedicates their life to work in the home should not be judged by society or financially penalised.

Question 37

Divergent Christian views towards roles of men and women?

Answer 37

• Other Christian Churches, such as the Church of England and Methodists, have female clergy or ministers.
• Many Christian’s agree women should be supported as they juggle home and careers. Some would also argue men should be equally supported in balancing their work and home lives.
• The importance of the family is agreed upon by all Christian Churches. Equality is increasingly accepted and promoted by most mainstream Christian groups, reflecting the attitudes of many non-religious people and society in general.

Question 38

Gender prejudice

Answer 38

Believing one gender is superior/inferior (belief/thought).

Question 39

Gender discrimination

Answer 39

Treating people less favourably because of their gender (action).

Question 40

Catholic opposition to prejudice and discrimination

Answer 40

• “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ”
—> God has no preferences between people.
• “Wives be subject to your husbands for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church”.
—> Ephesians made it clear that everyone should be submissive to God and wives likewise should submit to their husbands.
• “Women should keep silence in the Churches.
—> Scholars believe Paul was trying to reduce chaos in the early church. Earlier in 1 Corinthians 14, he speaks positively about women praying.

Question 41

Jesus’s examples of gender prejudice and discrimination

Answer 41

• The Samaritan woman at the well.
• The woman caught in adultery.
• The Greek woman.

Question 42

Divergent Christian attitudes

Answer 42

• Catholic, Orthodox and some Evangelical Churches oppose women’s ordination.
—> Jesus was male and did not have female disciples.
—> Some believe Ephesians 5:23 suggests women should not be ordained.
• Women still play an active role in the church.
• Some Baptist and Pentecostal churches have been ordaining women for nearly 100 years.
• The Church of England ordained its first women priests in 1994, and had its first woman bishop in 2014.