Most Christians prefer to get married in a church. The main reason people get married in a church is because the church is the house of God. This is also to do with tradition and when they were young and saw weddings at their local church, they had probably presumed that they too would get married in a church. For some Christians it is impossible for them to get married in a church, this is because they have been married before and have divorced (without being given an annulment). That is when according to God the marriage never took place (it was never consecrated). These people must get married in a Registry Office.
Gavin Martin
St Paul believed that the husband is the head of the household. A woman must abide by her husbands instructions. A husband must care for his wife as he cares for himself. These views are outdated today; most women would not do as their husbands say. St Paul’s views were written in a time when women didn’t have equal rights to men as they do today. Jesus taught (as well as all Christians) that marriage is for life and adultery is a sin.
Non-Christians could have a completely different view. Although devout Christians committed adultery in mediaeval times by Lords who had “concubines” this worked much like a Harem. In many middle-eastern countries men are allowed to have more than one wife depending on how important they are. They believe that Jesus was one of Gods prophets but they still go against what he said. It could also be said that the Lords in medieval times were worse. They were committing adultery and everybody knew it. The middle-eastern religions though treat each wife as if each wife was the sole special person. They are all treated with respect deserving of them. They would think that Christians are the ones that defy Jesus’ and God’ word.
People might get divorced for many reasons. The ones that are accepted by God is if the other spouse commits adultery or if the marriage was never consecrated, other than those all other reasons are not accepted by God so if the people want to get re-married it cannot be in a church. More social reasons for people to get divorced might be that they always argued, didn’t love each other anymore. This then leads to even more problems about any children. If the couple had children while they were married then there would be many arguments about who had “custody” of the children (who would look after them). Most of the time the person who did not win custody of the children would have to pay money to the children’s parent to look after them.
In 1971 a law was passed making it a lot easier for people to get divorced. It states that divorce may be allowed only when the marriage is “irretrievably broken down” proof of this must be shown and then and only then can the couple divorce. Although the passing of this law would not affect the Christian denominations that did not believe, in divorce. It is hard to see how this would lead to an increase in divorces, because most Christians would work hard at their marriage if they truly wanted it to work in the fist place. The law passed in 1971 would mainly affect those who were married by law and not religiously (e.g. in a registry office not a church).
The different views taken towards divorce by most of the major denominations of Christianity are that it is a very last resort. Some denominations (e.g. Roman Catholic) completely advocate divorce unless the marriage has not been consecrated or one of the couple has sinned by adultery. Other denominations (e.g. Church of England) do allow divorce but only when all other options have been tried and haven’t worked. Even the law (not religious) marriages have to be together for at least 1 year before a divorce can even be considered, this however doesn’t stop a married couple from living apart but that isn’t even trying to rectify the marriage and so is unlikely to end in a divorce.
Gavin Martin
Question Two:
“For Christians sex is only right within marriage.”
Christians believe that both pre marital and extra marital sex are wrong. Christians believe that this is wrong partly because they have married each other and made a vow to be faithful, but mainly because of the seventh commandment; not to commit adultery.
I believe that after marriage extra marital sex is wrong; The couple have made vows to stay faithful to one another. Christians believe that God told them not to commit adultery, the seventh commandment, so extra marital sex is considered a sin. I can see why some people may choose to have sex outside of their own relationship; the relationship has broken down or they do not feel loved by their partner.
My personal opinion is that sex should only take place between two people who really love and care for one another; sex is a way of showing their love to one another, and nobody has the right to choose when the couple decide to have sex. I do not agree that people should just go round having sex with who they like when it suits them, but instead, they have the freedom to choose who they wish to have sex with, without having to make a very serious commitment. I don’t feel that the couple should be confined by marriage to express their love.
Many people do stay faithful and stay with their partner in one relationship; this gives stability to the couple’s lives, and intimacy between the couple that nobody else has; if you and your partner have problems, you are there for each other to talk about them. The chance of disease and unwanted pregnancies is also greatly reduced.
Some people are still not happy with one sexual relationship. This can be bad because the risk of disease is increased as a person has sex with more people and spreads infection. The numbers of unwanted pregnancies rise because of ‘quick thrills’, and one night stands with no protection.
In conclusion, I personally do not agree with the statement. I believe that sex is a very special time only to be shared by two people who deeply love each other, but I also feel strongly, that their love for each other should not be confined to marriage. Instead, they should be free to share their love, albeit with one partner.
In conclusion I can see why Christians believe pre and extra-marital sex as wrong. For them, sex is much more serious than a one night stand it is made after marriage and only during marriage, this is sacred to Christians. Only God has the power to end relationships by taking the life of one partner. Even if they die many people have trouble re-marrying as they still feel attached to the previous partner.