arguments for homosexuality
-Christian, God created mankind equally
-Sunni, nothing can happen without Allah’s will
arguments against homosexuality
- Qur’an “must you unlike others lust after males and abandon the wives that Allah has provided for you”
-Christianity “be fruitful and multiply”
-Leviticus” do not lie with a man as with a woman, for this would be an abomination
arguments against pre-marital sex
- lustful ~ 7 deadly sins
-catholic church - it is a grave sin to have sex outside of marriage (catechism) - marriage is a declaration of faith before god
- may result in procreation outside of marriage. marriage is recognised as the most table environment for a child “family is the bedrock of society”
arguments for sex before marriage
-liberal Christians (quakers), not wrong between two adults. nature of relationship key - may be a healthy way to express love within a modern committed relationship
-situation ethics/ Christianity, “morality of an action is dependant on the situation” as long as the act is loving and not harmful it is not necessarily wrong
Christians belief on adultery
- The 10 commandment teach Christians very clearly “do not commit adlutery”
- Adultery goes against marriage vows that are made in the prescence of god
- Causes upset and harm
Muslims belief on adultery
- Qur’an describe adultery as an “outrage” and an “evil path” surah 17:32
- The hadith says those who engage in illicit sex will be “punished”
arguments for contraception
- Liberal Christians – contraception is a sensible method of family planning
- Some Muslims – god wants to help people “lighten their burden” because “man was created weak”- contraception can be sued within marriage to helping with family planning/ health reasons
arguments against contraception
-church- contraception is intrinsically evil. it defies the transmission of life, every sex act must remain open to the transmission of life
* Conservative Christians- contraception may make sexual immorality more likely. Makes sex about pleasure rather than procreation. “be fruitful and multiply”
* Some Muslims – the purpose of sex is procreation. It interferers with God’s plan
Christian belief about the purpose of marriage
- “To become one flesh” – genesis 2:24
- To have a committed and loving sexual relationship
- Procreation “be fruitful and multiply”
- To fulfil the sacraments
Islamic beliefs about the purpose of marriage
- Procreation
- To support/protect once another
- To fulfil religious responsibilities “there is no institution… dearer to god than marriage” hadith
- To provide stability to society
Arguments for divorce
- Islam- divorce is a last resort -it should follow a “cooling off” period surah. Not encouraged but is sometimes acceptable
- Jesus – Jesus allows divorce in the case of sexual immorality
- situation ethics, compassion – do the most loving things in every situation, divorce may be that E.g. in a deeply unhappy marriage
arguments against divorce
- Catholics- marriage means you become “one flesh”. Its a sacrament where you become one in the eyes of god
- Catholic church – divorce is a “grave offense” its wrong
- Islam – divorce is seen as “detestable” to god. Muhammed didn’t divorce, Muslims should follow his example.
Islamic beliefs about the purposes of families
- Reproduction
- Education
- Stability and protection of children “heaven is under the feet of mothers “ hadith
- To care for elderly relatives “do good to your parents” -surah
Christians beliefs about the purpose of families
- Reproduction “be fruitful and multiply”
- Education -teach about god “fathers bring your children up in the… instruction of the lord” Ephesians
- Provide for your family
Positive attitudes to gender prejudice and discrimination
- Theists – believe both a made by god
- St Paul - “you are all one in Christ Jesus”
- Jesus- fair treatment of women” they marvelled that he was talking to a women”
- Christians believe that men and women are spiritually equal and have the same dignity “male and female he created them” genesis
- Muslims believe that men and women are spiritually equal and will be judged in the same way on judgement day “both male and female, gardens graced” surah
Negative attitudes to gender prejudice and discrimination
- Traditionalists believe custom from the past should remain
- genesis teaches that eve was made out of Adams rib - less important
- Conservative Christians believe in tradition gender roles “same dignity but different duties” . a women should not take a public leadership role but should focus on child care
