Religion and Life: Issues of Relationships

What you'll learn

This revision guide covers all testable content on Issues of Relationships from the Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies specification. You'll explore Christian and Islamic teachings on marriage, divorce, sexual relationships, gender equality, and homosexuality, alongside how these beliefs influence believers' lives today. This topic requires you to evaluate religious responses to contemporary relationship issues using scripture, tradition, and ethical reasoning.

Key terms and definitions

Marriage — a legal and religious union between two people, traditionally viewed as a lifelong commitment before God

Adultery — voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse; forbidden in the Ten Commandments

Cohabitation — living together in a sexual relationship without being married

Civil partnership — a legal union between two people (originally same-sex couples) giving similar rights to marriage

Contraception — artificial or natural methods used to prevent pregnancy from occurring during or following sexual intercourse

Procreation — the biological process of conceiving children; considered a key purpose of marriage in many religions

Homosexuality — sexual attraction between members of the same sex

Gender equality — the belief that men and women should have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities in society and religion

Core concepts

The nature and purpose of marriage

Marriage holds sacred significance in both Christianity and Islam, though denominations vary in their specific teachings.

Christian perspectives:

• Marriage is a sacrament in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity — an outward sign of inward grace instituted by Jesus
• Anglicans and most Protestants view it as a holy covenant blessed by God but not a sacrament
• Key purposes include lifelong companionship, procreation, and legitimising sexual activity
• Biblical foundation: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24)
• Jesus affirmed marriage permanence: "What God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9)
• Wedding vows typically include promises of faithfulness "till death us do part"

Islamic perspectives:

• Marriage (nikah) is a legal contract and sacred duty, but not a sacrament
• Considered completing "half of one's faith" according to hadith
• Creates lawful sexual relationship and provides framework for raising Muslim children
• Muhammad said: "When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion"
• The marriage contract specifies the mahr (dowry) given by husband to wife
• Polygamy permitted (up to four wives) if husband can treat all equally, though uncommon in UK

Same-sex marriage:

• Legal in UK since 2014 (2020 in Northern Ireland)
• Catholic Church and conservative Protestant churches oppose same-sex marriage, maintaining marriage is between man and woman
• Liberal Protestant churches (Quakers, United Reformed Church) support and conduct same-sex marriages
• Islam universally prohibits same-sex marriage
• Civil partnerships (2004) offered alternative legal recognition

Cohabitation and sex before marriage

Religious traditions generally prohibit sex outside marriage, though societal practice has shifted dramatically.

Christian teachings:

• Traditional teaching forbids fornication (sex before marriage) as sinful
• Bible states: "Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18)
• Catholic Church teaches cohabitation is "living in sin" and couples should marry
• Some liberal Christians accept cohabitation in committed relationships as demonstrating genuine love
• Concerns include lack of formal commitment and potential harm if relationship ends

Islamic teachings:

• Zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) is a major sin in Islam
• Qur'an prescribes severe punishment (Surah 24:2), though rarely applied
• Cohabitation considered completely unacceptable
• Dating culture discouraged; marriage arranged or supervised by families
• Chastity before marriage protects honour of individual and family

Contemporary context:

• Over 3.4 million UK couples cohabit (2021 statistics)
• Many view cohabitation as "testing compatibility" before marriage
• Some religious young people face tension between faith teachings and social norms

Divorce and remarriage

While marriage is intended as permanent, both religions have provisions for ending marriages.

Christian approaches:

• Catholic Church does not recognise divorce: "What God has joined together, let no one separate"
• Annulment possible if marriage was never valid (lack of consent, non-consummation)
• Divorced Catholics may not remarry while former spouse lives; doing so means exclusion from Eucharist
• Orthodox Christianity permits up to three marriages with increasing penance
• Protestant churches generally allow divorce for adultery or desertion (Matthew 19:9)
• Church of England permits remarriage in church at vicar's discretion
• Most Christians view divorce as sometimes necessary evil when marriage has broken down irretrievably

Islamic teachings:

• Divorce (talaq) is permitted but "the most hated of lawful things" according to hadith
• Husband may divorce by pronouncing talaq three times over three-month period
• Wife may request divorce (khul) through Islamic court or may divorce if written into marriage contract
• Iddah (waiting period of three menstrual cycles) ensures woman is not pregnant and allows reconciliation
• Men and women may remarry after divorce
• Qur'an emphasises fair treatment in divorce: "Retain them in kindness or set them free in kindness" (Surah 2:229)

UK context:

• Nearly 42% of UK marriages end in divorce
• Religious believers must weigh scriptural teachings against personal circumstances
• Many churches offer relationship counselling to prevent marital breakdown

Contraception and family planning

Religious positions on contraception relate to beliefs about procreation, natural law, and sanctity of life.

Catholic teaching:

• Artificial contraception strictly forbidden following 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae
• Pope Paul VI argued contraception separates unitive and procreative purposes of sex
• Only Natural Family Planning (observing fertility cycle) permitted
• Each sexual act must remain "open to life"
• Condoms forbidden even to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission (though Pope Francis has shown some flexibility)

Other Christian views:

• Most Protestant churches accept contraception for responsible family planning
• Allows couples to space children and avoid poverty
• Contraception separates sex from constant pregnancy, enabling intimacy
• Emergency contraception debated: does it prevent conception or cause early abortion?

Islamic perspective:

• Most scholars permit contraception if both spouses agree
• Qur'an does not explicitly forbid contraception
• Withdrawal (azl) practised during Muhammad's time without prohibition
• Permanent sterilisation generally discouraged as it prevents future procreation
• Family planning accepted for health, economic or social reasons
• Having children considered blessing and religious duty, but quality of upbringing matters

Gender equality and roles

Religious texts contain passages about gender that spark contemporary debate.

Christianity and gender:

• Genesis 1:27 states humans created male and female in God's image — fundamental equality
• Yet Genesis 3 describes Eve's subordination as consequence of Fall
• Paul wrote: "Wives, submit to your husbands" (Ephesians 5:22) but also "There is neither male nor female... in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28)
• Catholic and Orthodox churches ordain only male priests, citing Jesus's choice of male apostles
• Church of England has ordained women priests since 1994, bishops since 2014
• Liberal Christians emphasise equality and mutual submission in marriage
• Conservative Christians maintain complementarianism — equal worth but different roles

Islam and gender:

• Qur'an emphasises spiritual equality: men and women equally capable of Paradise
• "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women" (Surah 4:34) — interpreted as male financial responsibility
• Women cannot lead mixed-gender prayer
• Islamic feminists argue patriarchal culture, not religion itself, restricts women
• Hijab (modest dress) seen by some as oppression, by others as liberation from objectification
• Muslim women can own property, work, and keep their own earnings
• Divorce, inheritance, and witness testimony laws favour men in traditional interpretation

Contemporary issues:

• Pay gaps, domestic labour division, and leadership roles remain debated
• Religious communities increasingly examine how ancient texts apply to modern contexts
• Progressive movements within both religions advocate full gender equality

Homosexuality

Perhaps the most contentious contemporary relationship issue across religions.

Christian perspectives:

• Bible passages condemn homosexual acts: Leviticus 18:22 ("abomination"), Romans 1:26-27
• Catholic Church teaching: homosexual orientation not sinful, but homosexual acts are
• Expects celibacy from LGBTQ+ Catholics
• Conservative evangelicals view homosexuality as chosen sin requiring repentance
• Liberal Christians argue Bible opposes exploitative relationships, not loving same-sex partnerships
• Context matters: ancient world lacked concept of sexual orientation
• Growing number of churches welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ members
• "Love the sinner, hate the sin" approach criticised as harmful
• Some Christians prioritise Jesus's commands to love over Levitical law

Islamic teachings:

• Story of Lut (Lot) in Qur'an condemns people of Sodom for homosexual acts
• Hadith literature contains strong prohibitions
• All major Islamic schools of law forbid homosexual activity
• Some Muslim-majority countries impose harsh penalties (though not based solely on religion)
• Very small progressive Muslim movement advocates inclusion
• Most Muslims distinguish between same-sex attraction (test from Allah) and acting upon it (sinful choice)

UK legal and social context:

• Homosexuality decriminalised 1967 (partially), 2003 (fully)
• Civil partnerships 2004, same-sex marriage 2014
• Equality Act 2010 protects against discrimination
• Religious LGBTQ+ individuals often face difficult tension between faith and identity
• Conversion therapy increasingly recognised as harmful

Worked examples

Example 1: 5-mark question

"Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about sex before marriage." (5 marks)

Model answer:

One belief is that sex before marriage is morally wrong because it goes against religious teachings. Many Christians believe sex should only take place within marriage as it is a sacred gift from God, and the Bible instructs believers to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18). This means cohabitation and premarital sex are sinful. (3 marks)

A contrasting belief is that sex before marriage is acceptable in committed, loving relationships. Many non-religious people and some liberal Christians argue that as long as both partners consent and care for each other, sex is a natural expression of love that doesn't require marriage. They believe contemporary relationships are based on mutual respect rather than legal contracts. (2 marks)

Example 2: 12-mark question

"'Divorce is never acceptable.' Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should: • refer to Christian teachings • reach a justified conclusion." (12 marks)

Model answer approach:

Arguments supporting the statement (FOR):

• Jesus explicitly taught "What God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9), suggesting divorce violates God's plan
• Catholic Church maintains marriage is permanent sacrament that cannot be dissolved
• Wedding vows promise faithfulness "till death us do part" — divorce breaks sacred promise
• Divorce harms children and family stability
• Couples should persevere through difficulties rather than give up

Arguments against the statement (AGAINST):

• Jesus permitted divorce for adultery: "except for sexual immorality" (Matthew 19:9)
• Church of England and Protestant churches recognise divorce as sad necessity when marriage has irretrievably broken down
• Remaining in abusive, destructive marriage may cause greater harm than divorce
• God is forgiving and offers fresh starts; trapping people in failed marriages seems unmerciful
• Paul permitted divorce when non-believing spouse leaves (1 Corinthians 7:15)

Justified conclusion: Overall, while divorce is never the ideal and violates the original intention for marriage permanence, it seems more consistent with Christian values of compassion and forgiveness to accept divorce in extreme circumstances rather than insisting it is "never acceptable." Jesus's inclusion of the adultery exception suggests even he recognised marriage breakdown sometimes justifies divorce. The focus should be on preventing divorce through support and counselling while showing mercy when marriages cannot be saved.

Example 3: 4-mark question

"Explain two reasons why Christians believe marriage is important." (4 marks)

Model answer:

One reason is that marriage provides the proper context for procreation and raising children in a stable family environment. Christians believe children should be born within marriage where both parents are committed to each other and the family. (2 marks)

Another reason is that marriage is a sacrament (in Catholic teaching) or holy covenant through which God's grace is given to the couple. This sacred bond reflects Christ's relationship with the Church and brings couples closer to God. (2 marks)

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing different Christian denominations — Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant teachings often differ significantly. Specify which tradition you're discussing or acknowledge diversity: "Many Catholics believe... whereas some Protestants argue..."

• Failing to include sacred text references — High-level answers quote or reference Bible (Christians) or Qur'an/Hadith (Muslims). Learn key verses: Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:9, 1 Corinthians 6:18 for Christianity; Surah 4:34, 24:2 for Islam.

• Only presenting one viewpoint — Questions often require "contrasting beliefs" or evaluation. Always show you understand multiple perspectives within and between religions.

• Ignoring contemporary UK context — Connect teachings to modern issues: same-sex marriage law (2014), cohabitation statistics, gender equality debates. Examiners want application, not just historical knowledge.

• Writing narratively instead of analytically — Avoid storytelling ("First they date, then they get married..."). Use precise religious terminology and explain why beliefs matter.

• Confusing moral acceptance with legal status — Something may be legal (divorce, homosexuality) but religiously prohibited. Distinguish clearly between civil law and religious teaching.

Exam technique for "Religion and Life: Issues of Relationships"

• Command words matter: "Explain" requires detailed description with examples; "Evaluate" demands arguments for and against with justified conclusion. "Contrasting" means opposing views, not just different examples of the same view.

• Mark allocation guides depth: 1-mark questions need simple definitions. 4-5 marks require developed explanations with examples or quotes. 12-mark evaluations need balanced argument structure with multiple developed points each side and substantive conclusion.

• Use the PEE structure for explanations: Make a Point, provide Evidence (quote, teaching, example), and Explain how it links to the question. For 12-mark questions, use extended PEE paragraphs with counter-arguments.

• Balance religious and secular perspectives: On controversial topics (homosexuality, gender roles), demonstrate understanding of both traditional religious positions and contemporary liberal/secular challenges to them.

Quick revision summary

Religious teachings on relationships centre on marriage as sacred union for companionship and procreation. Christianity and Islam both prohibit sex before marriage and adultery, though divorce is permitted under certain conditions. Contraception divides Catholics (opposed) from Protestants and Muslims (generally accepting). Gender equality interpretations vary from complementarian to egalitarian. Homosexuality remains highly contested, with traditional believers citing scriptural prohibitions while progressive voices emphasise love and inclusion. Understanding diverse viewpoints within religions and between religious and secular society is essential for evaluation questions.