Relationships, Sexuality, and Marriage
This section of Theme A: Relationships and Families revision covers complex topics like adultery, polygamy, divorce, and human sexuality.
Adultery is viewed as a serious sin in both religions:
• In Christianity, it breaks one of the Ten Commandments
• In Islam, it is considered haram forbidden, with some interpretations of Sharia law suggesting severe punishments
Polygamy:
• Christians completely disagree with polygamy
• Islam allows men to have up to four wives, historically to provide for widows after wars
Divorce and remarriage:
• Views vary among Christian denominations, with Catholics generally opposing divorce
• Islam permits divorce but considers it undesirable
Definition: Polygamy - the practice of having more than one spouse at a time
Human sexuality:
• Both religions generally view sex outside of marriage as sinful
• Christianity traditionally disagrees with same-sex relationships, seeing them as against God's plan for procreation
• Islam generally accepts that homosexual feelings exist but prohibits acting on them
Highlight: Civil partnerships 2004 and same-sex marriage 2013 have challenged traditional religious views in the UK
Marriage:
• In Christianity, marriage is seen as a contract between the couple and God
• In Islam, marriage is a commitment but not a contract with Allah
Example: The Catholic Church's stance on divorce has been a topic of debate within Christianity
Understanding these diverse perspectives is crucial for answering GCSE RE relationships and families questions and preparing for Relationships and Families RE GCSE AQA past papers.
