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GCSE · Thematic Studies

RS.TA3 Marriage and Same-Sex Marriage

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 55 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used when discussing marriage.

(a)State what is meant by marriage.(1)

(b)State what is meant by a civil partnership.(1)

(c)State what is meant by same-sex marriage.(1)

(d)State what is meant by cohabitation.(1)

(e)State what is meant by adultery.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Give three facts about the law on marriage in England and Wales.

(Total for Question 2 is 3 marks)

Explain two religious teachings about the purpose of marriage. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about same-sex marriage.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

This question is about religious and non-religious perspectives on marriage and same-sex marriage. It is the AQA-style 24-mark, five-part question.

(a)State one belief that many religious believers hold about the purpose of marriage.(1)

(b)Give two reasons marriage is important to religious believers.(2)

(c)Explain two religious teachings about the purpose of marriage. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.(4)

(d)Explain two contrasting beliefs about same-sex marriage, religious and/or non-religious. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority or another source in your answer.(5)

(e)Evaluate this statement: 'Same-sex couples should be able to marry in a place of worship.' In your answer you should: refer to religious teaching, refer to different points of view, reach a justified conclusion.(12)

(Total for Question 5 is 24 marks)

Explain two non-religious reasons why some people support the right of same-sex couples to marry.

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

Give three reasons why marriage remains important to many people in Britain today.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TA3 Marriage and Same-Sex Marriage

Question 1

(a) B1 the legal and/or religious union of two people as spouses, oe
(a) Answer: The legal and/or religious union of two people as spouses.
(b) B1 a legally recognised partnership, giving similar legal rights to marriage, that can be formed without a religious ceremony, oe
(b) Answer: A legally recognised partnership, giving similar legal rights to marriage, that does not need a religious ceremony.
(c) B1 a legal marriage between two people of the same sex, oe
(c) Answer: A legal marriage between two people of the same sex.
(d) B1 living together as a couple without being married, oe
(d) Answer: Living together as a couple without being married.
(e) B1 a married person having a voluntary sexual relationship with someone other than their spouse, oe
(e) Answer: A married person having a voluntary sexual relationship with someone other than their spouse.

Question 2

B1 the minimum legal age to marry is 18, oe
B1 same-sex marriage has been legal since the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, oe
B1 a marriage must be registered, with witnesses present, to be legally valid, oe
Answer: Any three: minimum age to marry is 18; same-sex marriage legal since the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013; a marriage must be registered with witnesses to be legally valid.

Question 3

B1 point 1: many Christians believe marriage is intended to unite a couple in a lifelong, exclusive relationship, oe
B1 development: Genesis 2:24 describes a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife, so that 'they become one flesh', oe
B1 point 2: many Muslims believe marriage provides companionship and stability for a couple, oe
B1 development: Islamic teaching describes spouses as a source of comfort and tranquility for one another, and marriage as the proper foundation for family life, oe
Answer: E.g. Christian teaching that marriage unites a couple as 'one flesh' (Genesis 2:24); Islamic teaching on marriage as a source of comfort and stability.

Question 4

B1 belief 1: some Christian denominations and individual congregations now conduct or bless same-sex marriages, believing marriage should be open to same-sex couples on the same terms as opposite-sex couples, oe
B1 development: this reflects a belief that all people are made in God's image and equally deserving of a loving, committed relationship recognised by their faith community, drawing on Genesis 1:27, oe
B1 belief 2: other Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, along with mainstream Islamic teaching, do not recognise same-sex marriage as a valid form of religious marriage, oe
B1 development: this is based on the traditional teaching that marriage, as described in Genesis 2:24, is between a man and a woman, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: some Christian denominations conducting/blessing same-sex marriage (Genesis 1:27, equal worth) vs other denominations and mainstream Islamic teaching maintaining marriage as between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24).

Question 5

(a) B1 e.g. marriage unites a couple for life / provides a stable environment for raising children / is a relationship blessed by God, oe
(a) Answer: E.g. marriage unites a couple for life.
(b) B1 it provides a lifelong, committed relationship in which children can be raised, oe
(b) B1 it is often understood as a relationship blessed and witnessed by God, or by the community of faith, oe
(b) Answer: E.g. provides a stable, committed relationship for raising children; understood as blessed by God/witnessed by the faith community.
(c) B1 point 1: many Christians believe marriage exists to unite a couple as 'one flesh' in a lifelong, committed relationship, oe
(c) B1 development: Genesis 2:24 describes a man leaving his parents to be united to his wife, so that 'they become one flesh', oe
(c) B1 point 2: many Muslims believe marriage is important because it provides comfort, stability and a foundation for family life, oe
(c) B1 development: Islamic teaching describes spouses as a source of tranquility for each other, reflecting marriage's role in providing emotional support, oe
(c) Answer: E.g. Christian teaching that marriage makes a couple 'one flesh' (Genesis 2:24); Islamic teaching on spouses as a source of tranquility.
(d) B1 belief 1: many non-religious people, and some religious believers, support same-sex marriage on the basis of equality, believing all couples deserve the same legal and social recognition, oe
(d) B1 development: this is reflected in UK law since the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which gives same-sex couples the same legal status as opposite-sex married couples, oe
(d) B1 belief 2: other religious believers do not recognise same-sex marriage as compatible with their tradition's religious teaching on marriage, oe
(d) B1 development: this is based on the traditional teaching that marriage, as described in Genesis 2:24, is a union between a man and a woman, oe
(d) B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority or another appropriate source made accurately, oe
(d) Answer: Contrast: equality-based support for same-sex marriage (Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013) vs religious teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24).
(e) L4 (10-12): A well-argued, balanced answer that considers more than one point of view in a developed way, using accurate and detailed references to religious teaching and/or scripture to support each point, and reaches a clear, justified conclusion.
(e) L3 (7-9): A clear and reasoned answer that considers more than one point of view, supported by relevant references to religious teaching and/or scripture, though the justification of the conclusion may be less developed.
(e) L2 (4-6): A reasoned answer that considers at least one point of view, with some relevant supporting evidence, but with limited or no consideration of an alternative view.
(e) L1 (1-3): One or more relevant points are made, but with little or no supporting evidence and no reasoned conclusion.
(e) L0 (0): No relevant content.
(e) Indicative content:
- Agree: some Christian denominations and congregations already conduct or bless same-sex marriages, believing that all couples, made equally in God's image (Genesis 1:27), deserve the same religious recognition of their relationship.
- Agree: some argue that a place of worship should be able to celebrate a couple's lifelong, loving commitment regardless of the couple's sex, since love and commitment are the values marriage is meant to express.
- Agree: UK law since the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 already allows religious organisations to choose to conduct same-sex marriages if their own beliefs and rules permit it, so some see extending this further as a natural next step.
- Agree: excluding same-sex couples from marrying in a place of worship can be seen by some believers as inconsistent with wider religious teaching on love, inclusion and equal human dignity.
- Disagree: other denominations and mainstream Islamic teaching hold that marriage, as described in scripture such as Genesis 2:24, is a union between a man and a woman, and that this definition cannot be changed by human decision.
- Disagree: UK law also protects religious organisations that do not wish to conduct same-sex marriages, on the basis of freedom of religious belief and practice, so some argue this protection should remain firmly in place.
- Disagree: some believers separate their support for equal legal rights for same-sex couples (for example, through civil marriage or civil partnership) from what they believe their own faith's teaching permits within a place of worship.
- Disagree: within some traditions, changing the religious definition of marriage is seen as a matter for the whole worldwide faith community to decide together, not for individual congregations acting alone.
- A balanced answer might conclude that the right approach depends on how far a tradition's teaching on marriage can be developed while remaining faithful to its scripture, and on balancing religious freedom with equality.

Question 6

B1 point 1: equality - many non-religious people, including Humanists, believe all couples should have equal legal rights and recognition, regardless of the sex of the partners, oe
B1 development: this reflects the wider principle, protected in UK law by the Equality Act 2010, that people should not be treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation, oe
B1 point 2: autonomy - many non-religious people believe individuals should be free to choose who they marry, without this being restricted by religious tradition, oe
B1 development: on this view, marriage is fundamentally a legal and personal commitment, so its availability should not depend on the sex of the couple, oe
Answer: E.g. equality (protected under the Equality Act 2010); personal autonomy and choice.

Question 7

B1 it provides companionship and a lifelong committed relationship, oe
B1 it gives couples legal and financial protections (e.g. around property, inheritance and next-of-kin rights), oe
B1 it is a public way of making and celebrating a serious commitment in front of family, friends and, for many, their faith community, oe
Answer: Any three: companionship and lifelong commitment; legal/financial protections; a public commitment celebrated with family, friends and faith community.

Marriage and Same-Sex Marriage - Worksheets, Questions and Revision