Welcome to Unit 6: Personal and Family Issues
Welcome! This chapter explores how Christians make moral decisions regarding human relationships, marriage, divorce, sexuality, contraception, and the family. In the CCEA GCSE Religious Studies (Specification 4610) exam, you will need to explain different Christian viewpoints (AO1) and evaluate ethical arguments from multiple perspectives (AO2).
Don't worry if this seems like a lot to learn! We will break down every key idea step-by-step, explain tricky vocabulary, and look at exactly what examiners expect you to know.
---1. The Nature and Purpose of Marriage
What is Marriage?
Marriage is a legally recognized and/or spiritually sanctioned union between two individuals. In Christian thought, marriage is far more than just a legal contract; it is a sacred relationship rooted in God's creation.
Sacrament vs. Covenant: Two Christian Views
Different Christian denominations understand the spiritual nature of marriage in distinct ways:
- Roman Catholic Church — A Sacrament: Catholics view marriage as an indelible sacrament. This means it is an outward, visible sign of inward divine grace, established by God. Because it is a sacrament, it creates an unbreakable spiritual bond between the couple and God.
- Protestant Traditions (Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist) — A Covenant / Ordinance: Protestants generally view marriage as a holy covenant (a sacred, binding promise made in the presence of God) or an ordinance. While profoundly sacred and lifelong, it is not classified as a Catholic sacrament.
The Three Core Purposes of Marriage
To easily remember why Christians marry, remember the mnemonic P-C-R (Procreation, Companionship, Regulation):
- Procreation: To have children and nurture them within the Christian faith.
Key Scripture: Genesis 1:28 — "Be fruitful and multiply." - Companionship / Lifelong Union: To love, comfort, and support one another in a lifelong, faithful partnership.
Key Scripture: Genesis 2:24 — "A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." - Regulated Sexual Expression: To provide a safe, loving, and holy context for sexual intimacy, guarding against promiscuity.
Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:2 — "Each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."
Key Takeaway: Marriage provides lifelong companionship, a faithful context for sexual intimacy, and a secure environment to raise children in the Christian faith.
---2. Alternatives to Marriage & Modern Cohabitation
What is Cohabitation?
Cohabitation means living together in a romantic and sexual relationship without being legally or religiously married.
Christian Perspectives on Cohabitation
- Traditional / Conservative Christian View: Discouraged or seen as sinful. Traditional Christians argue that sex is a gift reserved exclusively for marriage. Living together and having sex outside marriage is seen as premarital sex (fornication), which lacks the public, lifelong covenantal vow made before God and the community.
- Liberal / Contemporary Christian View: More accepting. Many liberal Christians recognise that modern society and living costs have changed. If the couple shares genuine love, mutual respect, and long-term commitment, cohabitation can be a positive and responsible stage in their relationship.
Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriage
Legal developments offer legal recognition to couples outside traditional religious frameworks. Secular law recognizes civil partnerships and same-sex marriages to provide equal legal rights, inheritance protections, and next-of-kin status.
Key Takeaway: While traditional Christians view marriage as the only proper context for sexual relationships, liberal Christians prioritize the love and fidelity of the couple over traditional structures.
---3. Divorce, Annulment, and Remarriage
Key Definitions
- Divorce: The legal ending of a marriage by a court of law.
- Annulment: A formal declaration by an ecclesiastical (church) court that a valid sacramental marriage never existed in the first place.
- Remarriage: Marrying again while a former spouse is still alive.
Denominational Stances
This is a classic exam topic. Make sure you do not confuse the Catholic and Protestant approaches!
1. The Roman Catholic Church
- No Divorce: The Catholic Church teaches that a valid, consummated sacramental marriage cannot be dissolved by any human authority.
Key Scripture: Mark 10:9 — "What God has joined together, let no one separate." - Legal Separation: If living together becomes dangerous or unbearable, the Church tolerates physical separation, but the spiritual marriage bond remains.
- Annulment (Declaration of Nullity): An annulment is not a "Catholic divorce." It is a finding that the marriage was flawed and invalid from the very beginning. Grounds for annulment include:
- Lack of genuine free consent (e.g., forced marriage).
- Lack of intent to be faithful or have children.
- Psychological incapacity to understand marital vows.
- Remarriage: A Catholic cannot remarry in church while their previous spouse is alive unless they have received a formal annulment.
2. Protestant and Evangelical Churches
- Divorce: Regarded as a sad and tragic consequence of human weakness and sin, but recognized as a legal and social reality.
- Jesus' Exception: Many Protestant theologians point to the "exception clause" in Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9, where Jesus states that a man should not divorce his wife except for sexual immorality / marital unfaithfulness.
- Remarriage: Many Protestant churches (such as Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist congregations) allow remarriage in church at the discretion of the minister, provided the couple shows genuine repentance, forgiveness, and a sincere commitment to their new vows.
Key Takeaway: Catholics believe marriage is indissoluble (cannot be broken) and offer annulment only if the marriage was invalid from the start; Protestant churches permit divorce and often allow remarriage, emphasizing God's mercy and forgiveness.
---4. Human Sexuality and Contraception
Human Sexuality
- Traditional Christian View: Heterosexual marriage is the only God-given context for sexual intercourse. Extramarital sex (adultery) violates the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14: "You shall not commit adultery"), and premarital sex is seen as contrary to God's plan.
- Homosexuality — Conservative View: Believes that homosexual practice is incompatible with scripture. Passages such as Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26–27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 are interpreted as forbidding same-sex sexual acts. Many conservative Christians distinguish between a person's orientation (which is not a choice) and their actions, teaching that homosexual Christians are called to live celibate lives.
- Homosexuality — Liberal View: Emphasizes the central Christian message of unconditional love (agape), equality, and justice. Liberals highlight Galatians 3:28 ("There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus") and argue that stable, loving, faithful same-sex relationships reflect God's divine love just as much as heterosexual marriages.
Contraception (Family Planning)
Contraception refers to methods used to prevent pregnancy during sexual intercourse. It is split into two categories:
- Artificial Contraception: Medical or barrier devices (e.g., condoms, the birth control pill, IUDs).
- Natural Family Planning (Rhythm Method): Tracking the woman's natural fertility cycle and abstaining from sex during fertile periods.
Denominational Views on Contraception
- Roman Catholic Church: Forbids all forms of artificial contraception.
- In the 1968 Papal encyclical Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI reaffirmed that every marital sexual act must remain open to the transmission of new human life.
- Sex has two inseparable purposes: unitive (bringing the couple together) and procreative (making babies). Artificial contraception deliberately blocks the procreative purpose.
- Natural Family Planning (NFP) is permitted because it works with the natural cycle created by God rather than artificially blocking it.
- Protestant Churches: Allow artificial contraception.
- Major milestones (such as the Anglican Church's Lambeth Conference in 1930) accepted artificial birth control.
- Protestants believe that God gave humans medical knowledge and reason to practice responsible family planning. It allows parents to plan their families according to their health, financial stability, and emotional well-being while strengthening marital love.
Key Takeaway: Catholics strictly forbid artificial contraception because sex must always be open to procreation; Protestant churches allow it as a tool for responsible family planning.
---5. The Family and Child-Rearing
Types of Modern Family Structures
- Nuclear Family: Two parents (mother and father) living with their biological or adopted children.
- Extended Family: Parents, children, and other relatives (e.g., grandparents, aunts, uncles) living together or in close contact.
- Single-Parent Family: One parent raising one or more children.
- Blended / Reconstituted Family: Formed when divorced or widowed parents remarry, joining children from previous relationships.
- Same-Sex Parent Family: Two parents of the same sex raising children together.
The Purpose of the Family in Christian Life
In Christian ethics, the family is regarded as the cornerstone of society. Its key purposes include:
- Providing Safety and Nurture: Meeting children's basic physical, emotional, and social needs.
- Moral and Spiritual Education: Teaching right from wrong and guiding children in Christian faith and worship.
Key Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 — "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." - Mutual Respect and Honour: Building healthy relationships across generations.
Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:1–4 — Children are instructed to obey and honour their parents, while parents are warned not to exasperate their children, but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Key Takeaway: The family is the primary environment where children receive care, learn moral values, and are nurtured in their relationship with God.
---Exam Tips & Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Avoid the "All Christians Think..." Trap
Never write "Christians believe..." as if all Christians agree. To reach the highest mark bands (Level 4 and Level 5), you must distinguish between Roman Catholic, Conservative/Evangelical Protestant, and Liberal Protestant views.
2. Annulment \(\neq\) Catholic Divorce
Never say that the Catholic Church allows divorce. In the eyes of the Catholic Church, a valid sacramental marriage cannot end until one partner dies. An annulment simply states that a sacramental marriage never existed in the first place.
3. Structuring 10-Mark AO2 Evaluation Questions
When answering an extended 10-mark question in Section B (e.g., "Divorce should never be permitted. Assess this view."), follow this checklist:
- Present a clear, balanced argument (give strong reasons for both sides of the statement).
- Include relevant Christian denominations and explain their differing viewpoints.
- Quote or accurately reference biblical passages (e.g., Mark 10:9 vs. Matthew 19:9).
- Include secular/contemporary arguments where relevant.
- End with a justified personal conclusion evaluating which argument is strongest.
- Check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar, as Quality of Written Communication (QWC) is formally assessed on these questions.
Quick Revision Match-Up
Review the key pairings below before moving on:
- Roman Catholic Church on Contraception: Forbids artificial methods; permits Natural Family Planning (Humanae Vitae, 1968).
- Protestant Churches on Contraception: Permits artificial methods for responsible family planning (Lambeth Conference, 1930).
- Sacrament: Outward sign of inward grace (Catholic view of marriage).
- Covenant: A sacred promise before God (Protestant view of marriage).
- Mark 10:9: "What God has joined together, let no one separate." (Anti-divorce scripture).
- Matthew 19:9: Jesus' exception clause for marital unfaithfulness.