What do religions teach about marriage and divorce?
Religious teachings on the purpose and nature of marriage, cohabitation, same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage in Christianity and Islam.
A focused answer on marriage and divorce for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the purpose of marriage, cohabitation, same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain religious teachings on the nature and purpose of marriage, attitudes to cohabitation and same-sex marriage, and views on divorce and remarriage in Christianity and Islam. Show contrasting views, especially between Catholic and Protestant Christians and between traditional and liberal positions.
The purpose of marriage
Both faiths see the main purposes of marriage as love and companionship, faithfulness between the partners, the procreation and raising of children, and providing the proper, stable setting for a sexual relationship. The Bible says "the two will become one flesh" (Mark 10:8), expressing the unity of marriage, and Islam describes spouses as "garments" for one another (Qur'an 2:187), expressing closeness and protection.
Cohabitation and same-sex marriage
Divorce and remarriage
Attitudes to divorce vary, and this is a common contrast. The Catholic Church does not recognise divorce, because marriage is a permanent sacrament, "what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9); it may instead grant an annulment if the marriage was never valid. Most Protestant churches accept divorce as a regrettable last resort when a marriage has broken down, and allow remarriage. Islam permits divorce (talaq) but treats it as the most disliked of lawful things, encouraging reconciliation and a waiting period first, after which remarriage is allowed. The shared ideal is lifelong marriage, with traditions differing on how to respond when it fails.
For the exam, the most useful contrast is between Catholic Christianity (marriage is a permanent sacrament, so no divorce, only annulment) and Protestant Christianity (divorce permitted as a last resort), alongside the Islamic view (divorce allowed but strongly discouraged). Be precise about terms: an annulment declares a marriage was never valid, which is not the same as a divorce ending a valid marriage. Link this dot point to families and gender roles and to sexuality, since views on cohabitation and same-sex marriage flow from the same beliefs about the purpose of marriage. A strong evaluation also weighs the religious ideal of lifelong commitment against the reality that some marriages break down, and considers whether compassion for an unhappy couple or the welfare of children might justify divorce even where the tradition discourages it.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20172 marksGive two purposes of marriage in Christianity.Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 question. Any two of: love and lifelong companionship, faithfulness between the couple, having and raising children, and a stable, secure place for sexual relationships. One mark each for two correct, distinct purposes. No development is needed at this tariff.
AQA 20204 marksExplain two religious attitudes to divorce. Refer to scripture or another source of religious belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Attitude one: the Catholic Church does not allow divorce because marriage is a permanent sacrament, "what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9), though it may grant an annulment. Attitude two: most Protestant churches and Islam permit divorce as a regrettable last resort after reconciliation has failed, allowing the couple to remarry. Markers reward two distinct, developed attitudes plus a source. Attribute each view to a tradition.
AQA 202212 marks"Marriage should be for life." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: marriage is a lifelong covenant before God, "what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9), giving stability for the couple and children. Arguments against: most Protestants and Islam allow divorce when a marriage has irretrievably broken down, since forcing people to stay can cause harm, and God is merciful. Use terms (covenant, sacrament, nikah, divorce, annulment). Reach a justified conclusion weighing the ideal of lifelong marriage against compassion when it breaks down.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)