Spec 1

• Should be based on the marriage of two people – male and female
• extended family
• ordained by God or commanded in scripture
• a duty to marry
• a vocation for some believers only.

Spec 1

• Should be based on the marriage of two people – male and female
• extended family
• ordained by God or commanded in scripture
• a duty to marry
• a vocation for some believers only.

2019

Generally all religions view the main purpose of families as:
• providing stability for family members and society
• protects children, supplying their basic needs and keeping them safe
• place where children are socialised so they can grow up and contribute to society
• place to educate children in a faith
• place for companionship and mutual love between the adults who cannot or choose not to be parents, etc

Christianity

• Couples should ‘submit to one another out of reverence for the Lord’ (Ephesians 5:21) / meaning there should be love and respect between them
• children have a duty to obey, love and respect their parents
• ‘Listen to your father who gave you life and do not despise your mother when she is old.’ (Proverbs 23:22)
• ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12) / children are gifts from God so parents should respect their dignity
• ‘Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’ (Ephesians 6:4)
• children should also be raised within the Christian faith, etc

Judaism

• Children are commanded to ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12)
• to respect them
• ‘Listen to your father… and do not despise your mother…’ (Proverbs 23:22)
• the mother in particular passes down the faith to the next generation
• children learn through the celebration of festivals within the home both religious practices and the values of charity and hospitality, etc

2022

• All religions teach that the main role for parents is to provide a secure and stable environment for children to grow up in
• provide children with all that they need to be able to grow and develop
• specific traditional roles for fathers and mothers
• bring them up in the faith
• teach them right from wrong
• to discipline children, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ (Proverbs 13:24)
• set an example to the children by living the faith
• teach children to pray – worship at home or in the place of worship
• encourage them to become full members of the faith
• persuade them to do good
• give them a good education
• have children – ‘Be fruitful and multiply’ (Genesis)
• be role models for the children – ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12)
• ‘Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’ (Ephesians 6:4)
• ‘And you shall teach them (God’s words) to your children, to speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way…’ (Deuteronomy 11:19)

Spec 1

• All religions teach that a key role for parents is to provide their children with all the necessities of life/provide a secure and stable background for children to grow up in/teach their children right from wrong/giving them moral standards to live by.
• All religions teach parents should set an example to children by living the faith/educating and raising children within the faith/bringing them to maturity and full membership of the faith
• teaching them to pray
• take part in worship in the home or in the place of worship.

Christianity

• It is the duty of Christian parents to raise their children in the faith.
  Depending on their denomination, Christians are expected to ensure
  their children receive religious instruction
• attend religious schools
• participate in rites of passage ceremonies, eg. christening, confirmation,  membership ceremonies, attend church, etc.
• ‘Honour your father and your mother.’ (Exodus 20:12)
• and Paul’s teaching ‘Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them  up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’ (Ephesians 6:4)

Judaism

• Jewish mothers have a particular role in passing their faith on to their children.
• The Torah commands parents to teach God’s words to their children (Deuteronomy 11:19
• Parents should keep a kosher home
• ensure children take part in rites of passage ceremonies, eg Brit Milah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, etc.
• lead family celebration of Shabbat and festivals such as Passover/in some religious families, father and mother have equal but different roles/father working to support the family, mother at home looking after the children eg Orthodox Jews/the mother ‘watches over the affairs of the household (Proverbs 31:27)
• some Orthodox Jews will arrange suitable marriage for their children.

2023

Generally, all religions see children as having a duty to obey their parents which is part of showing respect to them / respect should be shown in return for their parents’ love and commitment to them / many religions see children has having roles within the family such as helping out with chores / looking after siblings / learning about their religious faith / participating in religious practices eg. being taught their religion, taking part in worship / they continue the family and traditions / care for parents (in old age) / bring joy and happiness to parents, etc.

Christianity
Children told to ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12) / applies to children of all ages / includes giving care / respect to the elderly member of the family / ‘Children obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord.’ (Colossians 3:20) / children bring joy to parents – ‘Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children’ (Proverbs 17:6), etc.

Judaism
Jews are taught to ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12) / ‘Listen to your father who gave you life and do not despise your mother when she is old’ (Proverbs 23:22) / ‘Grandchildren are the crown of their elders and the glory of children is their parents.’ (Proverbs 17:6) / The Talmud teaches that honouring parents involves much more than just giving them food and drink, clothes and shoes, if they wish to go out then they should be able to go out and return home safely, implying children have a responsibility for their parent’s wider welfare, etc.

2019

Arguments in support
• Religion is a key part of a person’s identity.
• Teaches children about their faith and gives a purpose in life.
• Way for the religion to continue.
• Initiation ceremonies welcome children into the faith.
• Provides structure and behaviour codes to help development.
• Provides the best environment in which to raise children.
• Religious upbringing can help children be happy and be equipped to go out into the world.
• Teaches children about service and helping others, etc.

Arguments in support of other views
• Main purpose of a family is procreation.
• Raising children in a stable, loving environment is the most important purpose as it allows them to grow and flourish and be the people they should be.
• Family provides protection for children.
• Family may not be religious / meaning raising children in a faith is irrelevant.
• Learning about the faith is important but not the most important purpose.
• Wrong to ‘force’ religion on children / they should be allowed to make up their own minds when older.
• Purpose of family is to help, support and care for all members of the family or extended family not just children.
• Family may not have children / meaning other aspects such as love, companionship are the most important purposes, etc.

Christianity

• Family provides stability as it is where people learn to live as a community
• children learn right from wrong from their parents
• Christians believe God reveals himself as Father and Jesus as Son and humans as his children so family is central
• family reflects Christ’s relationship with the Church, ‘Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.’ (Ephesians 5:25)
• ‘Honour your father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12)
• ‘Children obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord.
• Fathers do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.’ (Colossians 3:20-21), etc.

Judaism

• Family provides Jews with security and stability they need to practise their faith and pass it on
• gives children a sense of identity with other families it gives families a chance to have friends who share their beliefs and practices
• provides a place of safety for the sick/disabled/elderly/children are to be taught the faith / ‘Take to heart these instructions…Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away…’ (Deuteronomy 6 :6-7), etc.