What is the Nature & Purpose of Marriage (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

The Nature & Purpose of Marriage in Christianity

The nature of marriage

•  Marriage is a legal and sometimes religious, union between two people as partners in a relationship

• It is a lifelong public commitment

• The legal contract brings security as it protects the rights of each partner

• Marriage is generally between a man and woman, but in the UK and some other countries, it can be between two people of the same sex

The nature of marriage in Christianity

• Christians believe that marriage was one of God’s gifts at creation

• In the Bible, it is described as natural for a man and woman to leave their parents and become ‘one flesh’ through which they bring new life into the world (procreation)

•  Some Christians, including the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, see marriage as a sacrament

  • This means it is a lifelong union between a man and woman, blessed by God

  • The love of the couple reflects the love of Jesus Christ for the Church

  • The couple should love each other

•  Marriage is a covenant (agreement) the couple make before God that they will remain faithful to each other until death

  • They state this in the vows (promises) they make during the marriage ceremony

•  Marriage is a spiritual bond of trust between two people

• There are many purposes of marriage for Christians who believe:

  • It is the proper place to enjoy a sexual relationship

  • It is the proper place for procreation and to raise children within a religious faith

  • It is for love, friendship and support for life through good and bad times

The Nature & Purpose of Marriage in Islam

•  Islam teaches that marriage is important to God. The Hadith says

• Muslims see marriage as a faithful, lifelong commitment

• Adults are expected to marry, as it is a normal part of life

• Husband and wife are an equal partnership under God

• Marriage was intended by God for the sharing of love and companionship

• The Quran says that husbands and wives are like garments for each other (Qur’an 2:187) meaning that they should support and care for one another

• Marriage prevents Muslims from sinning sexually

  • It helps people develop spiritually, which adds value to worship

• Marriage is a social contract that brings two families together and, therefore, has an impact on the wider community

• In Islam marriage is the foundation for family life

  • It is the proper place to raise a family and to teach children Muslim values and traditions

• In Islam, marriages can be arranged (parents help to find a suitable partner) but not forced

  • Young people have the right to refuse, as the Hadith teaches

• It is believed that a Muslim woman must marry a Muslim

• A Muslim man can marry a Muslim, Christian or Jew

Christianity – Same-sex Marriage & Cohabitation

Same-Sex Marriage

•  A civil partnership is a legal union of same-sex couples

  • Civil partnerships have been legal since 2004 in the UK

• Same-sex marriage is a marriage between partners of the same sex

  • This became legal in England, Wales and Scotland in 2014 and in Ireland in 2015

  • The legalisation means that same-sex couples have exactly the same rights and protections before the law as opposite-sex married couples

Christians and Same-Sex Marriage

•  Many Christians, including the Catholic Church, are opposed to same-sex marriage because they are opposed to homosexuality

• These Christians are concerned that permitting same-sex couples to marry changes the nature of marriage, which should be a unique relationship between a man and a woman

  • They are concerned that only a man and woman are permitted to have a sexual relationship that includes the ability to procreate

• The law in the UK protects Churches that do not want to marry same-sex couples

• The Churches are not forced to conduct these ceremonies against their beliefs

• Other Christians think that if the marriage is a faithful, loving, committed relationship then a same-sex marriage is acceptable

Christians and Cohabitation

• Cohabitation is a couple living together and having a sexual relationship without being married to one another

• Catholic and Orthodox Churches are opposed to cohabitation because they see the only valid place for a sexual relationship as within a marriage

• The Catholic Catechism teaches that

• Some Christians, including the Church of England, state that although marriage is the best state, people may cohabit (live together) in a loving, faithful, and committed way

Islam – Same-sex Marriage & Cohabitation

Islam and Same-Sex Marriage

•  Islam forbids homosexual relationships

• Therefore it is against same-sex marriage

• Many Muslims were against the changes that made same-sex marriage legal in the UK

 Islam and Cohabitation

•  Islam sees marriage as important to God

• Muslims are against cohabitation because they believe a sexual relationship should only occur within a marriage