Human Relationships
Love is used to describe a close attachment to another person.
Sex means sexual intercourse between two people.
Christians are encouraged to love each other in a non sexual way ("Agape")
Christian teaching generally shows that intercourse is wrong unless it happens within a marriage.
God intended for people to live together as married couples but not to live together outside marriage.
Christians say that marriage should be forever (life long union)
The Christian faith values marriage very highly - the bonding between the husband and wife in holy matrimony reflects the union of Jesus with his followers.
"A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh"
Marriage is a legally recognised relationship between a man and woman. It gives both of them equal rights.
The marriage ceremony can be religious or non religious
Order of ceremony
Prayers and readings are a traditional part of Christian worship and remind couples of the seriousness of their vows.
Hyms symbolise the couple starting their life together with the help of God and the religious community.
Guests symbolise the involvement of the community. The opening statement often explains the purpose of marriage.
The couple declare that there's no reason why they can't marry and the guests at the church are asked if there is any reasons why the marriage should not go ahead.
The exchanging of rings is the physical symbol of vows and a life long commitment.
When the couple sign the marriage register - it is a legal requirement in the UK
Christianity generally doesn't approve of civil partnerships
Civil partnerships became legal in the UK in December 2005 - which gives same sex couples the same rights as married couples.
The bible states that homosexuality is wrong.
Some church of England priests go against the rule and bless same sex couples anyway.