What do religious believers teach about marriage, divorce and sexuality?
Religious teachings on the nature and purpose of marriage, sexual relationships, contraception, divorce and remarriage, and same-sex relationships.
A focused answer on religious teachings about marriage, sexuality, contraception and divorce for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering the purpose of marriage, sex before and outside marriage, contraception, divorce and remarriage, and same-sex relationships, from Christian and Muslim perspectives.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain religious teachings on marriage (its nature and purpose), sexual relationships (sex before and outside marriage, and same-sex relationships), contraception, and divorce and remarriage, from the perspective of your chosen religion (Christianity or Islam), with non-religious views. This is the heart of the Relationships and families theme. The topic feeds evaluation questions on divorce, sex and same-sex marriage, so you need the content, both religions' views, the range within each, and the sources.
The nature and purpose of marriage
Sexual relationships
Traditional Christian and Muslim teaching is that sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed within marriage, so:
- Sex before marriage is traditionally seen as wrong; chastity is valued. "Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18); the Qur'an says "do not go near adultery (zina)" (Surah 17:32). Some liberal Christians are more accepting of sex within a committed, loving relationship.
- Adultery (sex with someone other than one's spouse) is condemned by both religions as a betrayal that breaks the marriage bond; it breaks a commandment ("You shall not commit adultery", Exodus 20:14).
- Same-sex relationships. Views vary widely. Some liberal Christians fully accept and bless same-sex relationships and marriage; traditional Christians and most Muslims teach that sex should be within heterosexual marriage, while still calling for respect for gay people. The legalisation of same-sex marriage in civil law has sharpened this debate.
Contraception
Views on contraception depend on the tradition. Many Protestants and Muslims permit contraception within marriage for responsible family planning. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that sex should remain open to procreation, so it permits only natural methods (such as natural family planning) and not artificial contraception. Where preventing the spread of disease is concerned, some take a more flexible view. Humanists see contraception as a sensible, responsible choice.
Divorce and remarriage
This range is exactly what the evaluation question on divorce tests: the sanctity and permanence of marriage against compassion and the reality of breakdown.
Try this
Q1. What is an annulment? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. A declaration by the Roman Catholic Church that a marriage was never valid in the first place; it is different from divorce, which ends a valid marriage.
Q2. Explain why traditional believers teach that sex belongs within marriage. [Short explanation]
- Cue. They see sex as a sacred gift from God tied to lifelong commitment and the raising of children, so it belongs within the faithful union of marriage ("flee from sexual immorality", 1 Corinthians 6:18; "do not go near adultery", Surah 17:32).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J625 20202 marksGive two religious beliefs about the purpose of marriage.Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark AO1 question, 1 mark per point. Give two distinct purposes, for example that marriage is for the lifelong, faithful union of two people, and for having and raising children. Other acceptable answers include companionship and mutual support, or (for Christians) that it reflects God's love and is a sacrament. Markers want two separate points, so do not repeat the same idea.
OCR J625 20216 marksExplain religious teachings about sex before marriage. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 6-mark extended AO1 question. Explain that traditional Christian and Muslim teaching is that sex belongs within marriage, so sex before marriage is wrong; chastity before marriage is valued. Develop why (sex is sacred and tied to commitment and procreation), and note that some liberal Christians are more accepting in committed relationships. Anchor in sources: "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18), the Christian view of the body as a "temple of the Holy Spirit", and the Qur'an's command "do not go near adultery (zina)" (Surah 17:32). The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources and any range of views.
OCR J625 202315 marks"Religious believers should never allow divorce." Discuss this statement. In your answer you should: refer to religious teachings and sources of wisdom and authority; give reasoned arguments to support this statement; give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view; reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark AO2 evaluation question. Argue both sides. Arguments for the statement: marriage is a lifelong, sacred bond; Jesus taught "what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9), and the Roman Catholic Church does not recognise divorce. Arguments against: many Christians (Protestant, Orthodox) and Islam permit divorce as a last resort when a marriage has broken down (in Islam it is "the most hated of permitted things"), to prevent greater harm; compassion may require it. Use specialist terms (marriage, divorce, annulment, remarriage). A justified conclusion weighs the sanctity and permanence of marriage against compassion and the reality of breakdown, noting differences between traditions.
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