How do religious and non-religious people respond to the issues of relationships?
Issues of Relationships (Unit 2, Theme 3): the nature and purpose of marriage, attitudes to sex, cohabitation, divorce and remarriage, the family and its purpose, the roles of men and women and gender equality, and contraception and family planning, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Relationships for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering marriage, sex, cohabitation, divorce, the family, gender roles and equality, and contraception, with religious and non-religious responses.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers Theme 3: Issues of Relationships, the first ethical theme in Unit 2, Part B. You need to explain religious responses (Christian and Muslim) and non-religious responses (atheist and Humanist) to marriage, sex, cohabitation, divorce, the family, gender roles and equality, and contraception. The (d) question rewards a balanced argument with sources of wisdom and a clear judgement.
Marriage and its purpose
Sex, cohabitation and divorce
The family and its purpose
Gender roles and equality
Contraception and family planning
Try this
Q1. What do many religions teach about the purpose of marriage? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. That marriage is a sacred, often lifelong union for love, companionship and the raising of children; Christians call it a covenant before God (Mark 10), and in Islam it is a sacred contract (nikah).
Q2. Explain one religious and one non-religious view on contraception. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Traditional Catholic teaching permits only natural family planning, while many Christians, Muslims and Humanists accept artificial contraception for responsible parenthood and health.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Unit 2 (c)8 marksExplain religious teachings about the purpose of marriage.Show worked answer →
The (c) explain question (AO1). Reward developed teachings with sources of wisdom.
Teaching one. Many Christians see marriage as a sacred, lifelong union made before God for love, companionship and the raising of children ("what God has joined together, let no one separate", Mark 10).
Teaching two. In Islam, marriage is a sacred contract (nikah) recommended for all, the right context for sex and family, and a means of stability and mutual support.
Teaching three. Both faiths value marriage as the foundation of the family, though some Christians now accept that marriage is also for love and partnership where children do not follow.
Top band. Developed teachings, each supported by a source of wisdom.
WJEC Unit 2 (d)15 marks'Religious believers should never agree to divorce.' Discuss this statement.Show worked answer →
The (d) evaluation question (AO2), with SPaG. Reward a balanced argument with religious and non-religious views and a clear conclusion.
Agree. Some believers hold marriage is a lifelong, sacred vow ("let no one separate", Mark 10); the Catholic Church does not recognise divorce, only annulment.
Disagree. Others accept divorce as a sad but sometimes necessary last resort where a marriage has broken down; Islam permits divorce as a last resort, and many Protestant Christians allow remarriage.
Non-religious view. Humanists judge each relationship by the wellbeing and consent of those involved, accepting divorce where staying together causes harm.
Judgement. Reach a supported conclusion, weighing the sanctity of vows against compassion and the wellbeing of the people involved.
Related dot points
- Issues of Human Rights (Unit 2, Theme 4): human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination (including racism and religious discrimination), social justice and the work of justice, poverty and the responsible use of wealth, and freedom of religion and freedom of expression, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Human Rights for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination, social justice, poverty and wealth, and freedom of religion and expression, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Christianity practices for Unit 2 Part A: forms of worship and prayer, the sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist), the role and importance of the Church and the local community, the major festivals (Christmas and Easter), pilgrimage, and mission and charity (evangelism and helping others).
A focused answer on Christian practices for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2 Part A, covering worship and prayer, the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, the role of the Church, the festivals of Christmas and Easter, pilgrimage, and mission and charity.
- Islam practices for Unit 2 Part A: the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the major festivals (Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha), and the meaning of jihad (the greater and lesser struggle), as expressions of Muslim belief and community.
A focused answer on Muslim practices for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2 Part A, covering the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the festivals Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha, and the meaning of jihad.
- Issues of Good and Evil (Unit 1, Theme 2): the problem of evil and suffering, sources of moral authority and goodness, crime and the causes of crime, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the death penalty (capital punishment), including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Good and Evil for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the problem of evil and suffering, sources of morality, crime and punishment, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty, with religious and non-religious responses.
- The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure: the two units (Religion and Philosophical Themes; Religion and Ethical Themes), the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 assessment objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the extended evaluation question.
A focused guide to the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure and question types, covering the two units, Part A and Part B, the (a) to (d) question ladder and tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the evaluation question.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Religious Studies specification (3120) — WJEC (2017)