Sexual ethics
Traditional Christian teachings on sex are associated with marriage. Because sex is
primarily concerned with the procreation of children, and because children need to be
raised, then marriage ensures both parents stay with each other. For Christians,
marriage means more than this – it is a sacrament, the union of man and woman into
‘one flesh’.
Sex Ethics – Natural Law. (Very good link to make to bring in natural laws primary
precept of reproduction especially considering a lot of the theologians in sex ethics
either are or are involved with the Catholic Church).
Sex Ethics – Secularism. (When debating how the church could potentially be seen as
a cause for social problems such as criminalising homosexuality, be sure to bring in
the fact that there are many aspects of the church which are consistently changing to
become more accepting. Does this mean they lose sight of their original Christian
message kind of like a death of a thousand qualifications idea).
Sex Ethics – Kantian Ethics. (The first two formulations, universalisability and means
to an end can be used here easily, freedom/autonomy is also a key part of Kant so
consent is needed).
Introduction
Freud- human sexuality is the defining feature of our personalities.
Changing social norms have led to things such as cohabitation and same-sex marriage
to become destigmatised. Laws have reflected this and now many things that were once
illegal are now legal.
Sex in the Bible-
Premarital sex
In traditional Christian teaching pre-marital sex is forbidden, as both sacramental
and conventional ideas of marriage require an act of sexual intercourse to
complete the marriage process – consummation. New Testament teaching is
particularly consistent that premarital sex is immoral; St Paul tells the members of
the Church at Corinth that it is ‘better to marry than to be aflame with passion’ (1
Corinthians).
o Yet Ruth using sex to seduce a landowner in the face of famine (Ruth 1-3
So it could be argued that premarital sex is only acceptable in
extreme situations.
But where do we draw the line?
Cohabitation has become increasingly the norm in contemporary Western
societies. Whereas in the past, marriage offered emotional and financial stability,
women today have more autonomy sexually (contraception) and financially
(equality in the workplace) therefore the need for marriage is lessened.
o Conservative Christians would argue that marriage is the most stable and
satisfactory basis for family and sexual life, so cohabitation is
unacceptable.
However, trial marriage is treated by liberal Christians as a normal
stage of the process of marriage. Whether it likes it or not, the
Traditional Christian teachings on sex are associated with marriage. Because sex is
primarily concerned with the procreation of children, and because children need to be
raised, then marriage ensures both parents stay with each other. For Christians,
marriage means more than this – it is a sacrament, the union of man and woman into
‘one flesh’.
Sex Ethics – Natural Law. (Very good link to make to bring in natural laws primary
precept of reproduction especially considering a lot of the theologians in sex ethics
either are or are involved with the Catholic Church).
Sex Ethics – Secularism. (When debating how the church could potentially be seen as
a cause for social problems such as criminalising homosexuality, be sure to bring in
the fact that there are many aspects of the church which are consistently changing to
become more accepting. Does this mean they lose sight of their original Christian
message kind of like a death of a thousand qualifications idea).
Sex Ethics – Kantian Ethics. (The first two formulations, universalisability and means
to an end can be used here easily, freedom/autonomy is also a key part of Kant so
consent is needed).
Introduction
Freud- human sexuality is the defining feature of our personalities.
Changing social norms have led to things such as cohabitation and same-sex marriage
to become destigmatised. Laws have reflected this and now many things that were once
illegal are now legal.
Sex in the Bible-
Premarital sex
In traditional Christian teaching pre-marital sex is forbidden, as both sacramental
and conventional ideas of marriage require an act of sexual intercourse to
complete the marriage process – consummation. New Testament teaching is
particularly consistent that premarital sex is immoral; St Paul tells the members of
the Church at Corinth that it is ‘better to marry than to be aflame with passion’ (1
Corinthians).
o Yet Ruth using sex to seduce a landowner in the face of famine (Ruth 1-3
So it could be argued that premarital sex is only acceptable in
extreme situations.
But where do we draw the line?
Cohabitation has become increasingly the norm in contemporary Western
societies. Whereas in the past, marriage offered emotional and financial stability,
women today have more autonomy sexually (contraception) and financially
(equality in the workplace) therefore the need for marriage is lessened.
o Conservative Christians would argue that marriage is the most stable and
satisfactory basis for family and sexual life, so cohabitation is
unacceptable.
However, trial marriage is treated by liberal Christians as a normal
stage of the process of marriage. Whether it likes it or not, the
