2022

• Generally a distinction is seen between natural contraception which works with the woman’s natural cycle and artificial contraception which, whilst more reliable than natural methods, is seen by some religious believers as going against natural law
• encouraging infidelity
• preventing the will of God / preventing people carrying out their religious duty
• most religions would see permanent contraception, ie sterilisation, as unacceptable unless a medical necessity, etc.
• Those who support the use of artificial contraception see it as a way of more reliably planning families / children are able to be planned making it easier for families to cope
• prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections
• prevents transmission of genetic disorders / so reduces suffering and pain
• may prevent the mother’s life from being put at risk, etc.

Christianity

• All denominations permit natural contraception however some (eg Roman Catholic and Orthodox) do not permit artificial forms of contraception seeing it as against natural law
• against the purpose of marriage / ‘Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life.’ (Humanae Vitae 1968)
• Many other Christians accept the use of artificial contraception in family planning for health, financial and other reasons
• seen as a matter of personal conscience
• some have reservations about the morning after pill considering it abortion rather than contraception
• Church of England approved the use of artificial contraception at the 1930 Lambeth Conference, ‘The Conference agrees other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.’

Judaism

• Contraception impedes the will of God
• a large family is a blessing from God / ‘Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.’ (Psalm 127: 4&5)
• Orthodox Jews permit contraception if the mother’s life is at risk
• not acceptable for social or economic reasons or reasons of convenience
• use of the pill is preferred as it does not interfere with the sexual act or destroy semen
• sterilisation is forbidden as it damages the body created by God
• Reform and Progressive Jews accept contraception for social reasons, eg welfare  of the family / financial reasons / to protect the mother’s mental or physical health / the couple is free to use contraception of their choice, etc.

Spec 2

• Should not be used to prevent having children altogether can be used for spacing children
• economic reasons, eg prevent child being born into deprivation
• mother’s health
• welfare of other children
• allow couple to develop relationship before having children
• prevent STDs
• use of contraception considered wrong by some religions, eg purpose of marriage is procreation/ sex act should be open to possibility of conceiving a child
• God will not send more children than a couple can care for/should be acceptable only within marriage

2022

• Generally a distinction is seen between natural contraception which works with the woman’s natural cycle and artificial contraception which, whilst more reliable than natural methods, is seen by some religious believers as going against natural law / encouraging infidelity
• preventing the will of God / preventing people carrying out their religious duty
• most religions would see permanent contraception, ie sterilisation, as unacceptable unless a medical necessity, etc.
• Those who support the use of artificial contraception see it as a way of more reliably planning families / children are able to be planned making it easier for families to cope
• prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections
• prevents transmission of genetic disorders / so reduces suffering and pain
• may prevent the mother’s life from being put at risk

Christianity

• All denominations permit natural contraception however some (eg Roman Catholic and Orthodox) do not permit artificial forms of contraception seeing it as against natural law / against the purpose of marriage
• ‘Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life.’ (Humanae Vitae 1968)
• Many other Christians accept the use of artificial contraception in family planning for health, financial and other reasons
• seen as a matter of personal conscience / some have reservations about the morning after pill considering it abortion rather than contraception
• Church of England approved the use of artificial contraception at the 1930 Lambeth Conference, ‘The Conference agrees other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.’ 

Judaism

• Contraception impedes the will of God / a large family is a blessing from God / ‘Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.’ (Psalm 127: 4&5)
• Orthodox Jews permit contraception if the mother’s life is at risk
• not acceptable for social or economic reasons / or reasons of convenience
• use of the pill is preferred as it does not interfere with the sexual act or destroy semen / sterilisation is forbidden as it damages the body created by God
• Reform and Progressive Jews accept contraception for social reasons, eg welfare of the family / financial reasons
• to protect the mother’s mental or physical health / the couple is free to use contraception of their choice, etc.

Spec 1

Christianity

• There are contrasting views within Christianity. Orthodox and Roman Catholics teach artificial contraception within marriage is wrong- against natural law and purpose of marriage; might encourage infidelity. Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life (Humanae Vitae, 1968).
• Other Christians accept its use in family planning for health, financial and other personal reasons. The Church of England approved the use of artificial contraception at the Lambeth Conference in 1930: ‘The Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.’

Judaism

• A large family is a blessing from God, fulfilling God’s command to ‘be fruitful and increase in number’ (Genesis 1:28).
• Orthodox Jews only allow the use of artificial contraception within marriage if the mother’s health is at risk, and not for social or economic reasons.
• The pill is preferred as it does not destroy semen or interfere with the sexual act.
• Reform and Progressive Jews accept the use of artificial contraception for reasons of the mother’s mental or physical health or the welfare of the rest of the family

2023

Arguments in support
• Expectation that children will be born in a marriage, contraception prevents this.
• Contraception goes against natural law.
• Contraception may encourage infidelity.
• Contraception prevents people from carrying out their religious duty.
• Some contraception acts by expelling a fertilised egg / so goes against sanctity of life, etc.

Arguments in support of other views
• Contraception is useful to plan a family, eg a couple newly married and may not be able to afford children straightaway / most religious believers agree with family planning 
• Natural methods are fine to use as they work with the woman’s natural cycle and so cause no harm.
• Artificial contraception more reliable than natural methods so people are better able to plan families by using it.
• Contraception may prevent the passing on of sexually transmitted infections.
• Contraception prevents serious genetic disorders from being passed on and so prevents pain and suffering.
• Contraception may help to prevent mother’s health and life being put at risk.
• Contraception helps to limit population size, etc.

Christianity
All denominations permit birth control / some (eg Roman Catholic) do not permit artificial forms of contraception / against natural law / ‘Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life.’ (Humanae vitae 1968) / for other denominations it is a matter of individual conscience / some Christians have reservations about the morning after pill considering it to be abortion rather than contraception, etc.

Judaism
Family planning is seen as helpful provided it is not used to prevent children altogether / many Orthodox Jews will only allow contraception in order to prevent risk to the mother’s health / delay having children / to space them out / limit the number of children if this is thought to benefit the family / some Orthodox Jews do not believe in contraception at all, believing God will decide the size of their family / Reform Jews allow contraception for other reasons such as social / financial reasons / Orthodox Jews prefer to use the contraceptive pill as this does not interfere with the sexual act / or destroy semen / sterilisation is forbidden as it damages the body God created, etc.

Spec 2

• In general, all religions oppose sex outside marriage (adultery) because
  it is a betrayal of trust/breaks marriage vows
• cause pain to all including children
• is selfish
• irresponsible
• dishonest
• involves secrecy and lies
• goes against the nature and purpose of marriage, etc.

Christianity

• Adultery breaks marriage vows made before God at the wedding
• threatens the whole purpose of marriage
• threatens security of any children
• against the commandment ‘Do not commit adultery.’ (Exodus 20:14)
• against Jesus’ teaching: ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’ (Matthew 5:27–8), etc.

Judaism

• The Torah teaches ‘Do not commit adultery’
• ‘You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife’ (Exodus 20:14 and 17)
• in ancient times penalty of death
• marriage promises broken
• breaks the spiritual bond of marriage
• destroys family life
• considered so wrong that Jewish law requires a man whose wife has been unfaithful to him to divorce her even if he is willing to forgive her, etc.

2021

• Most religions teach that marriage is intended as a faithful / long-term commitment / for the sharing of love / companionship / raising of children, etc.

Christianity

• Marriage is a gift from God at creation
• part of natural law
• life-long union blessed by God
• reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus
• it is a covenant before God
• couple promise to live faithfully until death
• it is a spiritual bond of trust that reflects the love of God for the Church
• within some branches of Christianity it is a sacrament
• ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24), etc.

Judaism

• Marriage not just a social contract
• it is the spiritual binding together of a man and woman in love
• in a life-long commitment to each other
• part of God’s plan at creation,‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh.’ (Genesis 2:24)
• ews see their partner as their soulmate
• marriage shows the love of God for his people of Israel / covenant relationship

2023

Generally most religious believers do not support polygamy, having more than one spouse at the same time may be viewed as adultery / believing that marriage should be between two people only / monogamy generally seen as the ideal / possibility of unfair treatment of one wife / may lead to jealousy / instability in family / may be considered sexually immoral / polygamy is illegal in most countries / religious believers should follow the law because it is believed to be inspired by God / polygamous marriage is legal in Islam according to Shariah law / some historical context of polygamous practice in many religions / includes where multiple wives were a symbol of status and power eg. Solomon / or where a first wife was unable to conceive eg, Abraham/Ibrahim / social protection of women, etc.

Christianity
Christians are against polygamy believing marriage should be between two people only ‘ …a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they shall become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24) / ‘each man should have his own wife and each woman should have her own husband.’ (1 Corinthians 7:2) / there are Old Testament examples of polygamy eg Abraham with Sarah and Hagar / in some parts of Africa, Christian converts who have more than one wife because of their cultural practice in the past, are permitted to keep their wives but must promise not to marry again (Lambeth Conference 1988) / historically Mormon practice allowed polygamous marriage / 1Timothy 3:2-5 forbids leaders having more than one wife, etc.

Judaism
Judaism does not support polygamy today /‘Therefore does a man leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and they become one flesh.’ (Genesis 2:24) / historically it was supported as there are examples of it in the Tenakh eg Abraham with Sarah and Hagar, etc

2024

Arguments in support
• You do not need a marriage certificate to show commitment to your partner.
• Many marriages end in divorce so it is obviously not regarded as being that important today.
• Alternatives to marriage exist such as civil partnerships.
• One can be totally committed to a partner without going through a ceremony.
• A loving and stable home life can be provided without marrying.
• Not everyone is able to marry.
• Same-sex couples are not permitted to marry in some countries.
• In countries where same-sex marriage is permitted, it is not always possible to have a religious marriage service eg Church of England.
• Marriage ceremonies are increasingly expensive so a couple may not be able to afford costs.
• Other things may be more important for the use of money for example, house / family.

Arguments in support of other views
• Marriage is still very important around the world as it brings stability and helps to order society.
• As the couple’s relationship within marriage develops and strengthens, so in turn it can strengthen the surrounding community.
• There remains an expectation not just with religions but within many families and society at large that marriage will take place.
• Marriage provides a public declaration of love and commitment to each other by the couple.
• Marriage shows the community that a new family unit has been established.
• Marriage is legally important for inheritance matters

Christianity
Marriage seen as a gift from God / given at creation / ‘a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24) / marriage is beginning of a covenant relationship between couple and God / a sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church / marriage is a spiritual bond of trust / reflects the love of God / couple should love each other ‘as Christ loved the church’ (Ephesians 5:25) / marriage provides a stable, secure environment for raising a family / seen as the proper place for a sexual relationship / provides support and companionship to partner, etc.

Judaism
Marriage is more than just a social contract / it is the spiritual binding of a couple in love / in life-long commitment / part of God’s plan from creation / ‘a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24) / marriage seen as a covenant relationship / reflects God’s covenant with his people / the love between the two reveals the love of God for his people / marriage provides a secure foundation for raising a family / right place for sexual relationship / provides companionship / ‘It is not good for man to be alone’ (Genesis 2:18) / marriage provides foundation for a couple to grow together physically and spiritually / develops their faith, etc.