Different Christian Views About Celibacy, Marriage, Homosexuality And Transgender Issues Flashcards
Celibacy
Celibacy - life without sexual activity - in Christianity its choosing to live a life to devote oneself to god not a single person
In biblical times most people did marry but celibacy not unknown, Jesus did not marry (as far as we know) this makes him unusual
According to Matthew 19:12 celibacy was seen as a choice made to focus on the kingdom of Hpd
In 1 Corinthians Paul advocated celibacy unless sexual urges provided too strong in which case a Christian should marry - thought end was near so should prep for day of judgement not marriage
4th century - development of monasticism required celibacy - devotion to ones life to god was seen as higher calling
Priestly celibacy in Catholic Church seen as positing offering of oneself to god
Orthodox Church accepts married men as priests but not allowed after ordination adn bishops must be celibate
Protestant churches - clergy often married
Some pressure on Catholic Church to allow marriage due to fall in ppl wanted to be ordained
Some evangelical Protestant churches oppose celibacy - goes against 1 timothy 3:1-7
Marriage
In early church Christian’s were expected to marry or remain celibate, marriage became norm for almost everyone
Marriage was seen as sacrament and raising a family was regarded as a vocation
This is still view of RC church - if couples divorce cannot remarry because in eyes of god and church still married only if annulment is given can they remarry
Protestant - marriage is ordinance not sacrament - divorce and remarriage = accepted
Those who remarry need to admit their failure and show their intent to live in their new marriage as god would wish
Western Soc = very diff from 50 years ago - idea that an important purpose of marriage is procreation, now marriage more about relationship not children
Many marriages a re solely civil ceremonies not religious
Divorce. Lot more common now and man ppl unwilling to be celibate after
Same sex marriage and adoption of children is legal
Homosexuality
Society and law:
Used to be deemed as unnatural and discouraged, practice was illegal and punishable until death
In lastly 50 years U.K. law and social attitudes changed drastically
1967 - private homosexual acts decriminalised
2014 first same sex marriage occurred - civil ceremonies as religious bodies were permitted not to perform them if they did not wish to
Christianity:
Changing vies in Soc of many western socs posed challenge to Christianity
Position of some churches = clear but Ind members dont nec. Agree
Biblical teaching:
OT - homosexuality = abomination and punishable by death
NT - st. Paul denounced homosexuality and said its ‘anti social’
However interpreted diff amongst scholars - many say it reflects time it was written and not directly applied to modern life
Contemporary Christian views:
Many evangelical Protestants believe bible is directly inspired and infallible word of god - homosexual activity is therefore ‘detestable’ and incompatible with being Christian
Catholic Church distinguishes bet. Orientation and practice - accepts those with homosexual inclinations but should be celibate
Church of England - torn bet. Liberal and progressive views of members, together with knowledge meany of its clergy is gay - official teaching is that homosexual relationships fall short of heterosexual marriage but should be treated with respect - gay clergy must be celibate
Transgender issues
2010 equality act inc. gender reassignment as a protected characteristic
Bible says nothing about changing gender but early church strongly condemned those who went surgery to modify sexual identity -ordination not permitted
Fundamentalists believe god alone decided gender and doesn’t make mistakes so immoral to change gender
Liberal Protestant accept trans people and their rights
Church of England = same approach as liberal Protestants
Since 2000, transgender priests continues their ministry and accepted for ordination
Marriage permitted when one member is trans and special naming ceremonies proposed for those who are transgender
Catholic Church rejects idea
2000 report stated surgery didnt change identity of person
Might be permissible in extreme cases but marriage of trans people never valid
