Explain the major Christian teachings on marriage and how they pose challenges for society today

If a marriage is secure this will most properly lead to a secure society. Also results of surveys show that if children come from a stable background and secure family it is more likely they will themselves have a stable family with no divorce. The Christian Church believes that divorce is only right under certain circumstances if for instance the couple are constantly arguing and it is affecting the people around them or their children. But the Catholic church believes that divorce is not right under any circumstances but this is not always viable.

Another teaching on marriage is that the marriage must be exclusive. Matthew 5:27-29 says " You have heard that it was said 'Do not commit adultery' But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to posses her is guilty is his heart". This bible reference says that you should not commit adultery even in your thoughts. Exclusive means that the marriage should be only the couples business and not any one else's. The way in which society challenges this is by "Chat-Shows" these make you dissect your problems in front of an audience and is then broadcasted on the television for entertainment. But the interfering isn't always public it can be private. Families often interfere in the marriage causing conflict. A large majority of families do not get along because of this such interference.

Exclusive also means the all-important no adultery. This goes without saying that either partner should not commit adultery. But in society today affairs are another thing that are glamorised in the media and television. The husband is seen as a "stud" if he "plays away from home" so this will put pressure on it. If one of the couple do have an affair then this shows there is a problem in the marriage. They then need to talk this over themselves. But in society today this is not always possible so this brings it back to the chat shows and interfering families. But you don't have to actually commit adultery to be unfaithful. Its not just physically it is also mentally. The couple must learn to not carry on their sexual thoughts if they see somebody attractive in the street but to control and stop those thought if they are truly committed to their partners. Pope John Paul said " Marriage should be Total union of love, an unbreakable alliance of total mutual self-giving". This is a good idealistic way of an marriage and I'm sure most married couples would want this but if the couple are constantly together never away and always giving they could quite possible drive each other away (or up the wall).

Another teaching that Christians believe in is the marriage should be fruitful. This does not mean the marriage has to have children and if they don't they are having a pointless marriage. It means that the marriage should be open to having children. But once again society today does not make this easy. At the moment lots of women are very strongly career minded and are putting off having children in favour of having a good career. Children are seen as a burden they are very expensive and a couple cannot always afford to have them and they are very time consuming they involve lots of time which is not what a career minded woman would usually have. But some people are not so lucky and do not have the choice to have children. They may be infertile. With the ever rising number of cancer victims and GM foods which some have been linked to infertility it is not surprising that many people are finding themselves unable to have children.

But as it is not the couple's fault the church considers this OK.

The married couple should become one. Sexually, financially, socially and emotionally. Financially to have a joint bank account. Socially because you should not be embarrassed to be seen out with your partner, you should attend celebrations or gatherings together. Emotionally because if the couple do not talk or understand each other's emotions then it will lead to trouble in the marriage. These are sensible rules but are very idealistic. The rules are not always possible for everyday living such as financially. If there are two bank accounts then you could be earning more money on interest. But if you had a joint ban account the partners could not surprise each other with gifts or other surprises and the marriage could get rather dull. But on the plus factor one of the partners could not be using the money for unwholesome things.

The Christian church wants people to follow lots of rules, which are good in theory but not always in practice. I think that couples should take example of the teachings but not follow them literally. This will lead to a better society and above all marriage.

Alice Hillis ~ 11 Campion ~ RE Coursework ~ Candidate no ~ 8380 Centre no ~ 13156