christian view on sexual ethics Flashcards
premarital sex
in Anglo Saxon England, spouses…
why was there suddenly a rise in importance of female virginity in Britain?
pledged themselves to one another in a betrothal ceremony, after which they could have sex and the formal marriage followed later.
in the 18th century England half the brides were pregnant at their marriage ceremony
male members of the British aristocracy wanted to know that the children born to their wives were in fact their own
premarital sex
Christian view
sex before, or outside of marriage is classed as a sin
.it is argued that premarital sex indicates a lack of moral discipline and poses a threat to the institution of marriage and family
what does this quote imply
genesis 2:24 this is why a and leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh”
emphasis the spiritual, emotional, social and sexual purposes of marriage.
marriage and sexual union are part of god’s plan.
for the catholic church the miracle at the wedding of Cana confirms god’s approval of marriage as a good thing and a sacrament, a sign of gods presence in the world.
what does premarital sex express to the catholic church
it does not express fidelity, exclusivity and commitment and consequently it does not tolerate sex before marriage.
.ppl who engage in PS are committing a grave sin and are excluded from sacramental communion until they have reconciled with a morally correct way of living.
what do other Christians think about PS
some leaders have advocated recognising PS differently, as a progression towards marriage rather than a rejection of marriage.
how are Christian churches responding to the growing norm of PS and cohabition
- Adrian thatcher argues that Christians who believe all pre-ceremonial sex is immoral have wrongly assumed that the ceremony is a requirement of marriage
- some reject the new social norm and assert traditional sexual rules and binds members to follow them, even when the law does not
-others reinterpret sexual acts previously declared sinful, and looks for way to encourage a more positive engagement with ppl who are engaged in PS
this reinterpretation does not go so far as accepting casual sexual relationships outside marriage per se, but rather sees PS as a step in the process towards marriage.
what is extramarital sex
when a married person has sex with someone other than his or her spouse, or when a single sex with a married spouse
catholic church view on divorce and ES
the CC holds that a valid marriage cannot be dissolve.
forbids a divorce between 2 baptised Christians in a marriage that has been consummated, and it excludes from communism those who have been divorced and remarried.
-anyone that remarries after a divorce is having ES with theory new spouse
protestant church view on divorce and ES
since the reformation in the 16th century, protestant church have, to a different degree, permitted divorce in exceptional circumstances.
the church of England is more divided on the matter but in theory it still forbids divorce
- the new testament and other early church decrees contain teachings that warn Christians away from adultery but allow remarriage after a spouse has been adulterous
what does Lisa sowle Cahill argue
why did the church ban divorce and ES
how did this effect marriage
that Christianity’s stance against divorce originated in an attempt to limit men’s ability to manipulate marriage, women and children in the interests of power and wealth.
amongst the medieval tribes of western Europe wealthy powerful men had concubines as well as wives. polygamy was also common and adultery was a crime that virtually women were accused of divorce was exclusively a male prerogative. in this context the church’s ban on adultery made it impossible for men to have concubines, the ban on divorce stopped men abandoning women.
the Christianisation of marriage made marriage more just, reducing ES and the consequent negative outcomes for women and children.
what did people think of ES now
the proportion of ppl who disapproved of on- exclusive marriage (adultery) had increased amongst men ( from 45% to 63%) and women (53%-70%).
the uk population is therefore reporting a more conservative attitude to some tradition aspects of sex and ethics, in particular around commitment and exclusivity in marriage- values that are central to Christian understanding of marriage.
Christian views and social attitudes about consent
consent has ben an important factor in Christian marriage . marriage must be freely and willingly entered into.
consent is also a key concern in contemporary society. sexual offences such as rape and forced marriage are commonly views as wrong.
