Sex, relationships and contraception
- Many Christians believe sex is a gift from God, meant for marriage. Traditional Christians disapprove of sex before marriage and cohabitation; more liberal Christians may accept loving, committed relationships. Adultery is wrong, as the Ten Commandments teach.
- Views on same-sex relationships vary. The Catholic Church teaches that same-sex sexual acts are wrong, although having same-sex attraction is not. Some churches, such as the Methodist Church and the Quakers, conduct same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2014 (and in Guernsey since 2017).
- The Catholic Church opposes artificial contraception and accepts only natural family planning. Most Protestant churches accept contraception for responsible family planning.
Marriage and divorce
- Many Christians see marriage as a lifelong commitment made before God, for companionship, sex and having children. In Islam, marriage (nikah) is a contract and a religious duty.
- The Catholic Church does not accept divorce, although it can grant an annulment (a declaration that a marriage was never valid). Many other churches allow divorce and remarriage in some circumstances. Many Christians cite Jesus' teaching: 'What God has joined together, let no one separate' (Mark 10:9).
- Islam allows divorce as a last resort, after attempts to reconcile.
Families
- Types of family include nuclear, extended, single-parent, same-sex parent and blended (step) families.
- Religions see families as important for having children (procreation), stability, protecting members and passing on faith.
- Local churches support families through baptisms and weddings, parenting classes, Sunday schools, youth groups, family services and counselling for couples.
Gender equality
- Many believers teach that men and women are equal in God's sight (Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28). Some believe men and women have different roles: for example, the Catholic Church ordains only men as priests, while the Church of England has ordained women priests since 1994 and women bishops since 2015.
- UK law bans sex discrimination (the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equality Act 2010).
Key terms
- Cohabitation
- Living together without being married.
- Adultery
- Sex between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.
- Contraception
- Methods used to prevent pregnancy.
- Annulment
- A declaration that a marriage was never valid.
- Nuclear family
- Parents and their children living together.
- Extended family
- A family that includes relatives such as grandparents.
- Procreation
- Having children.
- Gender equality
- Men and women having equal rights and opportunities.