The nature and purpose of marriage

Marriage is a legal and, for many, a religious commitment between partners. Traditional purposes given by many believers include lifelong companionship, having and raising children, and sexual faithfulness.

• Christianity: many Christians see marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant made before God ("what God has joined together…", Mark 10:9).
• Islam: marriage (nikah) is highly valued as the proper basis for family life and is seen as following the example of the Prophet.
• Non-religious view: Humanists value loving, committed partnerships and see marriage as a personal choice, not a religious requirement; some couples marry, some do not.

Same-sex marriage: views differ. Some Christians and denominations support and conduct same-sex marriages; others teach marriage is only between a man and a woman. Humanists generally support equal marriage for all couples.

Cohabitation

Cohabitation means living together as a couple without being married. Views on it vary widely:

• More traditional religious view: many believers prefer sex and living together to happen within marriage, so may discourage cohabitation.
• More liberal religious view: some believers accept cohabitation, especially where a couple is committed and loving.
• Non-religious view: many people, including Humanists, see cohabitation as a normal, valid choice — a couple can be fully committed without a marriage certificate.

Exam tip: when asked for "different views", give at least one religious and one non-religious view — and show that religious believers themselves disagree.

Purpose of marriage

Divorce and remarriage

Divorce is the legal ending of a marriage. Because many faiths value marriage as lifelong, views differ:

• Roman Catholic teaching: a valid marriage cannot be dissolved, so the Catholic Church does not recognise divorce, though an annulment may be possible.
• Many other Christians: accept divorce as sometimes the lesser of two evils, e.g. to escape harm, and may allow remarriage.
• Islam: divorce (talaq) is permitted but described as the most disliked of lawful things; reconciliation is encouraged first.
• Non-religious view: many people, including Humanists, accept that a broken relationship can be ended and that both partners deserve the chance to move on.

Key idea: even where a religion values lifelong marriage, believers weigh this against compassion, safety and forgiveness.

Families and their purpose

Many traditions see the family as important for love, security and passing on beliefs and values. Types of family include nuclear, extended, single-parent, blended and same-sex parent families.

• Religious roles: families may support each other, care for the elderly, and raise children within the faith (e.g. teaching prayer, taking children to worship).
• Christianity & Islam: both stress respect between parents and children ("Honour your father and mother", Exodus 20:12; care for parents is stressed in the Qur'an).
• Non-religious view: Humanists value families as sources of love and support, and accept many valid family structures.

Community support: many religious communities help families through classes, youth groups and support at births, marriages and deaths.

Term → meaning

Tap a term on the left, then its meaning on the right.

Gender equality

Gender equality means treating people of all genders with equal value and rights. Views on gender roles differ within and between traditions:

• Equality of value: many believers teach all people are equal before God — "there is neither… male nor female, for you are all one in Christ" (Galatians 3:28); the Qur'an teaches men and women were created from a single soul.
• Different views on roles: some believers hold traditional gender roles; many others support women as leaders (e.g. women priests and ministers in many Churches), while some traditions restrict certain roles.
• Non-religious view: Humanists strongly support full gender equality in law, work and family life.

Balanced point: "equal in value" and "identical in role" are not the same. Believers can affirm equal worth while disagreeing about roles.

Views on divorce

Sexual relationships

Views on sex differ, but a common thread across faiths is that sex is meaningful and should be treated responsibly.

• More traditional religious view: sex belongs within marriage; sex before marriage or adultery is discouraged or forbidden (adultery is prohibited in the Ten Commandments and the Qur'an).
• More liberal religious view: some believers accept sex within a committed, loving relationship.
• Homosexuality: views differ — some believers and denominations fully affirm same-sex relationships; others teach sex should be between a married man and woman. Humanists support equal treatment regardless of sexual orientation.
• Non-religious view: many people see sex as a private choice between consenting adults.

Contraception

Contraception is the deliberate prevention of pregnancy. Religious and non-religious views differ:

• Roman Catholic teaching: officially opposes artificial contraception, seeing sex as open to the possibility of life (natural family planning is accepted).
• Many Protestants & many Muslims: accept contraception, e.g. to plan a family responsibly or protect health.
• Non-religious view: Humanists generally support contraception as a responsible, sensible choice that helps people plan their lives.

Balanced point: even within one religion, believers can reach different conclusions using the same core value of responsible love.

Views on contraception

Whose view?

Tap a view, then tap whether it is best described as a religious-based or a non-religious (Humanist) view.

Name the concept

Read each description, then tap the correct term.

Gender equality

Cohabitation

What to know

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