What is marriage?
legal union between 2 people
there must be a legal representative and registrar present
recognised in law
What is a religious marriage?
-Christians believe that God unites two people together
-make vows to commit
themselves to one another
- prayers and blessings are often said
- usually long, conducted by a minister in a church
What is a civil marriage?
- short ceremony with at least two witnesses
- usually at a registrar office, hotel or town hall
- they declare their marriage to the other partner
What are the Christian purposes of marriage?
genesis - when people get married they become one flesh, marriage is about living life together
Matthew - “what God has joined together let no man separate”
Ephesians - a wife should love their husband as they love God, women should help men
Corinthians - marriage should be faithful and express their love emotionally and physically
What is are the arguments against cohabitation?
couple live together in a sexual relationship without being married
- God created sex for marriage, where there is greater security
- commitment in marriage provides stability, particulary when a couple has children
What is are the arguments for cohabitation?
- marriages are too expensive for some people
- having a trial before marriage is useful to see if the couple are compatible
- relationships that don’t work can easily be ended
What is a civil partnership?
a legal registration and recognition of a same sex partnership
What are the reasons for marital breakdown?
loss of romance
domestic violence
infidelity (unfaithfulness)
disappointing love-making
What are the ways to prevent marital breakdown?
marriage preparation:
- helps couples learn about each other
- teaches how to deal with problems and change in a marriage
good communication
What are the attitudes towards divorce and marriage?
“what God has joined together let no one separate” - divorce is wrong
Malachi - “the man who… divorces his wife… does violence to the one he should protect” - God gives husbands the responsibility to protect their wife for all their life
Church of England allows divorces in exceptional circumstances as they recognise people make mistakes
What is the importance of family and the elderly?
Children can bring joy and happiness, and brought up to be valuable members of society
elderly people have wisdom
care for the elderly - Proverbs - “do not despise your mother when she is old”
