Sex, marriage and divorce
The Dhamma (Dharma) is a foundational concept in Buddhism, representing the universal truth, the Buddha's teachings, and the path to Enlightenment. It encompasses the nature of reality, the human condition, and the ethical framework required to end suffering.
Topic Overview
This topic explores religious perspectives on sex, marriage, and divorce, focusing on Christianity and Islam as required by the AQA GCSE Religious Studies specification. Students examine teachings from sacred texts (e.g., Bible, Qur'an), religious traditions, and modern ethical debates. Key areas include the purpose of sex (procreation, unity, expression of love), the nature and significance of marriage as a sacred covenant, and the moral and legal considerations around divorce and remarriage.
Understanding these views is crucial because they shape personal relationships, family structures, and societal norms. The topic also connects to broader themes like the sanctity of life, gender roles, and the role of religion in public life. By comparing different religious stances, students develop skills in analysis, evaluation, and empathy—essential for both exams and informed citizenship.
In the AQA exam, this topic appears in Paper 2 (Thematic Studies) under 'Relationships and Families'. Questions often require students to explain contrasting beliefs, evaluate arguments, and apply teachings to modern scenarios. Mastery of this content helps students tackle 12-mark 'evaluate' questions effectively.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Sacredness of marriage: In Christianity, marriage is a lifelong covenant before God; in Islam, it is a solemn contract (nikah) with spiritual and legal dimensions.
- →Purpose of sex: Both religions typically teach that sex should occur within marriage, for procreation, unity, and mutual fulfilment. Adultery is forbidden.
- →Divorce: Christianity generally discourages divorce (Jesus taught against it), but some denominations allow it in cases of adultery or desertion. Islam permits divorce (talaq) but considers it a last resort.
- →Remarriage: Views vary—Catholicism forbids remarriage after divorce unless annulled; many Protestant churches allow it; Islam permits remarriage after iddah (waiting period).
- →Contraception: Most Christians accept artificial contraception (except Catholicism, which only permits natural methods). Islam generally allows contraception if both spouses agree.
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Definition and understanding of the concept of Dhamma (Dharma)
- Explanation of dependent arising (paticcasamupada)
- Identification and explanation of the Three Marks of Existence: anicca, anatta, and dukkha
- Comparison of the human personality in Theravada (Five Aggregates) and Mahayana (sunyata, Buddha-nature) traditions
- Distinction between human destiny ideals: Arhat vs Bodhisattva
- Understanding of Buddhahood and the Pure Land
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Definition and understanding of the concept of Dhamma (Dharma)
- Explanation of dependent arising (paticcasamupada)
- Identification and explanation of the Three Marks of Existence: anicca, anatta, and dukkha
- Comparison of the human personality in Theravada (Five Aggregates) and Mahayana (sunyata, Buddha-nature) traditions
- Distinction between human destiny ideals: Arhat vs Bodhisattva
- Understanding of Buddhahood and the Pure Land
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Ensure you can clearly define the Three Marks of Existence and provide examples for each
- 💡Use precise terminology when discussing the Five Aggregates
- 💡Be prepared to compare and contrast Theravada and Mahayana views on the human personality and the ideal of the enlightened person
- 💡Link the concept of Dhamma to the broader Buddhist path to Enlightenment
- 💡Use precise scripture: For Christianity, quote Genesis 2:24 ('become one flesh') or Matthew 19:6 ('what God has joined together...'). For Islam, reference Qur'an 30:21 ('He created for you spouses...') or Hadith on marriage. This shows depth.
- 💡Compare and contrast: In 12-mark questions, explicitly compare Christian and Islamic views (e.g., on divorce or contraception). Use phrases like 'In contrast to Christianity, Islam...' to demonstrate evaluation.
- 💡Address modern issues: Link teachings to contemporary debates (e.g., same-sex marriage, cohabitation). Show awareness that religious views may differ from secular laws, but stay focused on religious perspectives.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Confusing the Theravada concept of the Five Aggregates with Mahayana concepts like sunyata
- Failing to distinguish between the Arhat and Bodhisattva ideals
- Misinterpreting the Three Marks of Existence as separate concepts rather than interconnected aspects of reality
- Overlooking the specific differences between Theravada and Mahayana perspectives on human personality and destiny
- Misconception: 'All Christians believe divorce is always wrong.' Correction: While Jesus taught against divorce, many Protestant denominations allow it in cases of adultery or desertion (e.g., Church of England). Catholicism holds that marriage is indissoluble, but annulment is possible.
- Misconception: 'Islam forces women to stay in unhappy marriages.' Correction: Islam permits women to initiate divorce (khul) and requires husbands to provide maintenance during iddah. Both genders have rights to end a marriage, though procedures differ.
- Misconception: 'Religious people never use contraception.' Correction: Most Christian and Muslim groups accept contraception for family planning, with exceptions (e.g., Catholicism's natural methods only).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of Christian and Islamic beliefs about God and revelation (e.g., authority of Bible and Qur'an).
- •Familiarity with key terms like 'covenant', 'sanctity of life', and 'sin' from earlier topics.
- •Knowledge of different Christian denominations (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) and their varying interpretations.
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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