Christian ethical teachings on sexual ethics

Question 1

What does ethical teachings refer to?

Answer 1

A system of moral principles by which human actions may be judged as right or wrong?

Question 2

What does ethics refer to?

Answer 2

Justification for and formal reasoning behind human moral behaviours

Question 3

The ethical teachings for sexual ethics include?

Answer 3

• Love
• Dignity
• Natural Law

Question 4

Sources of Christian ethical teachings are from?

Answer 4

• The Scriptures: Old and New Testament
• The Natural Law
• Human experiences

Question 5

Scriptures in the Bible include?

Answer 5

• The Beatitudes
• The Golden Rule
• The Decalogue/Ten Commandments

Question 6

What is Natural Law?

Answer 6

• A philosophical position
• It is believed to have been implemented in nature by God

Question 7

What does Natural Law outline?

Answer 7

• That God gave each individual free will
• Humans have the responsibility of pointing out the right way of acting freely and responsibily as a human

Question 8

Who outlined Natural Law?

Answer 8

St Thomas Aquinas

Question 9

How is Natural Law important to sexual ethics?

Answer 9

• Reason determined that the natural purpose of the sexual act is the living union of man and woman in marriage and the giving of children

Question 10

Principles in Christianity about sexual ethics include?

Answer 10

• Fidelity
• Agape

Question 11

Issues of sexual ethics in Christianity include?

Answer 11

• Adultery
• Infidelity

Question 12

What does sexuality in sexual ethics refer to?

Answer 12

• Human mind, and body

Question 13

What is Agape?

Answer 13

• Jesus’ Commandment of Love
• It is God’s love towards humans, and their reciprocal love for God
• It is the unconditional sacrifice of love

Question 14

John 13:34 reflects Agape, by stating what?

Answer 14

“Love one another as I have loved you”

Question 15

In relation to Agape, John 3;16 states?

Answer 15

“God loved the world”

Question 16

What are the Christian views of contraception?

Answer 16

• Premarital sex is forbidden
• Contraception is viewed only in the context of a married couple
• All churches agree that sexual relationships must support and respect the dignity of each person

Question 17

What are the Catholic views on contraception?

Answer 17

• Artificial contraception is a sin
• Couples should use natural regulations of fertility - e.g. based of the period cycle of a woman
• Contraception is immoral as it goes against the natural and God-given purpose of sexual activity and reproduction

Question 18

What are the Protestant views on contraception?

Answer 18

• There is no record of contraception in the Bible
• Look towards the scriptures to debate if contraception is okay or not
• Most permit contraception due to individual conscience and circumstances

Question 19

What does the Protestant, Church of England believe about contraception?

Answer 19

“Does not regard contraception as a sin or a contravention of God’s purpose”

Question 20

Are the views of adultery the same for all Christian churches?

Answer 20

• Yes
  All are in agreement that adultery is wrong

Question 21

What evidence in the Bible states that adultery is wrong?

Answer 21

• The Decalogue/ Ten Commandments
• “Thou shall not commit adultery”

Question 22

What does infidelity refer to?

Answer 22

• Unfaithful in a married or committed relationship

Question 23

What are the Catholic views on pre-marital sex?

Answer 23

• Sexual intercourse must take place in a committed, monogamous, loving relationship
• Sex is the final and most intimate part of relational bonds –> should be permitted when the couple is married as they have bound their lives together

Question 24

What is the overall Christian view on premarital sex?

Answer 24

Almost all Christian churches ae in agreement that it is wrong

Question 25

What are the Protestant views on premarital sex?

Answer 25

- They interpret the Bible's teachings - It is permitted within the context of a longterm, monogamous, loving, and mutally respected relationship

Question 26

What are the Christian views on homosexuality?

Answer 26

- Christian churches are not in agreement - Some argue it is against the nature of the person

Question 27

Why is homosexuality some what accepted by certain churches?

Answer 27

- Some churches believe that it is the act of homosexual intercourse that is frowned upon --> not the homosexual individual

Question 28

What are Catholic views on homosexuality?

Answer 28

- They are accepted, but not seen as equals - They are not fully accepted - Some more orthodox Catholics are still against homosexuality

Question 29

What example reflects Catholic acceptance towards homosexuality?

Answer 29

- In 2013, homosexual couples were allowed to be blessed by a priest in a catholic church - However, it was not seen as a sacrament of marriage - The blessing was not linked or tied to heterosexual marriage

Question 30

What did Pope Francis say about homosexuality?

Answer 30

"If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has a good will, who am I to judge that person?"

Question 31

What are the Protestant views on homosexuality?

Answer 31

- More open to the idea - They believe that the Bible's theme of acceptance and Agape state it is permitted - The Bible does not refer to homosexuality

Question 32

According to Reverent, Elizabeth Raine, what does she state about homosexuality in Protestant?

Answer 32

"The Bible is actually silent when it comes to addressing the ethics of loving... involving two people of the same gender"