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Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies

Relationships and families — Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies revision

Free revision notes, key terms, common exam traps and 5 practice questions with answers. About 7 minutes to read.

Marriage, cohabitation and divorce

  • Marriage is a legal and often religious commitment between two people, usually marked by vows and a ceremony.
  • Cohabitation means living together as a couple without marrying; some religious believers see this as acceptable preparation for marriage, others see it as wrong outside marriage.
  • Christians generally see marriage as a lifelong, God-given commitment, though views on divorce vary between denominations; the Catholic Church discourages divorce but allows annulment, while other churches permit remarriage after divorce.
  • Muslims see marriage (nikah) as a strong recommendation and the proper context for family life; divorce (talaq) is permitted as a last resort but is discouraged.
  • Non-religious people often see marriage as a personal or social choice rather than a religious duty, and generally support the right to divorce when a relationship has broken down.

Sexual relationships and family life

  • Many religions teach that sex should take place within marriage, seeing it as an expression of commitment and a means of having children.
  • Attitudes to contraception vary: the Catholic Church officially opposes artificial contraception, favouring natural family planning, while most Protestants and many Muslims permit contraception within marriage for responsible family planning.
  • Non-religious ethical views often focus on consent, honesty and responsibility rather than restricting sex to marriage.
  • Families are seen as the basic unit of society, providing love, stability, and the upbringing and education of children in shared values.
  • Religious teaching often stresses the importance of procreation and raising children within a stable, loving family environment.

Key terms

Marriage
A legally and often religiously recognised union between two people.
Cohabitation
Living together as a couple without being married.
Divorce
The legal ending of a marriage.
Annulment
A declaration that a marriage was never validly formed, used in some Christian traditions.
Nikah
The Islamic marriage contract and ceremony.
Talaq
The Islamic term for divorce, permitted but discouraged.

Common exam traps

  • Assuming all Christians share one view on divorce — denominations differ considerably.
  • Confusing gender prejudice (attitude) with gender discrimination (action).
  • Thinking all Muslims hold identical views on contraception or gender roles — there is a range of opinion.

Practice questions with answers

  1. 1. What term describes a couple living together without being married?

    • • Cohabitation
    • • Annulment
    • • Nikah
    • • Talaq

    Answer: Cohabitation

    Cohabitation is living together as a couple without marrying.

  2. 2. What is the Islamic term for the marriage contract?

    • • Talaq
    • • Nikah
    • • Zakat
    • • Salah

    Answer: Nikah

    Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract and ceremony.

  3. 3. Which Christian denomination officially opposes artificial contraception?

    • • Catholic Church
    • • Quakers
    • • Methodist Church
    • • United Reformed Church

    Answer: Catholic Church

    The Catholic Church favours natural family planning over artificial contraception.

  4. 4. Give one reason religious believers give for marriage taking place before sexual relationships.

    Answer: It shows commitment and provides a stable, loving environment for any children.

    Marriage is seen as the proper context for sex and family life in many religious teachings.

  5. 5. What is an annulment?

    • • A declaration that a marriage was never valid
    • • A type of wedding ceremony
    • • A form of contraception
    • • A civil partnership

    Answer: A declaration that a marriage was never valid

    Annulment declares a marriage invalid from the start, used instead of divorce in Catholic teaching.

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