Sexual Ethics

Question 1

Marriage

Answer 1

Significant to Christians as it not only represents the union of man & woman, but of God & the world. Marriage is therefore one of the most important & significant institutions and it gives rights, responsibilities and protection to the couple

Question 2

Reasons for marriage

Answer 2

• Rely on NL
• Procreation, Nurture & Control of Sex

Question 3

The Catechism of the Catholic Church on marriage

Answer 3

‘The vocation of marriage is written in the very nature of man & woman’

Question 4

Jesus teachings on marriage

Answer 4

‘One flesh’
- Transformation
- Life long fidelity

Question 5

Divorce

Answer 5

Jesus:
- Adultery
- Remarriage

St Paul

Question 6

Sacrament

Answer 6

A highly significant religious moment, with various outward signs used to represent visible changes

Question 7

Marriage as a sacrament

Answer 7

• External symbols
• Inward changes
• Indissoluble

Question 8

Covenant

Answer 8

An agreement or promise which involves a degree of commitment

Question 9

Marriage as a covenant

Answer 9

• Binding covenant
• Union of minds & bodies
• Divorce

Question 10

St Paul on premarital sex

Answer 10

It is better to marry than to be aflame with passion

Question 11

Cohabitation

Answer 11

• Casual, Trial marriage & Substitute marriage
• Traditional v Liberal views

Question 12

The Church on extramarital sex

Answer 12

‘The social consequences…were seen to be too damaging to be tolerated’

Question 13

Traditional views on extramarital sex

Answer 13

• OT -> ‘adulterer and adulteress shall be put to death’
• Men V Women’s punishments
• Jesus forgiving the adulteress -> ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’

Question 14

Modern views on extramarital sex

Answer 14

• Breach of vows
• Justify divorce
• Forgiveness & understanding -> Adulterous woman

Question 15

Remarriage after adultery

Answer 15

• Liberal: Circumstantial
• Conservative Protestant: Biblical
• Roman Catholics: Annulment

Question 16

Traditional teachings on homosexuality

Answer 16

• Breaks the covenant between God & his people
• Sodom & Gomorrah, Leviticus 18:22
• Unitive & ‘open to the transmission of life’
• RCC: Against NL & scripture
• Respect, compassion & sensitivity

Question 17

Liberal teachings on homosexuality

Answer 17

• Historical context
• Support of the marginalised
• Sodom & Gomorrah -> Social wickedness
• Leviticus -> Canaanites
• Jesus the Liberator -> ‘Let the oppressed go free’

Question 18

The middle way

Answer 18

• Issues in Human Sexuality
• Biblical view -> ‘Sexual activity outside marriage comes to be seen as sinful’
• ‘God loves us all alike’

Question 19

Mills Liberty Principle

Answer 19

• Positive V Negative
• Variety of lifestyles
• Monopoly on morality
• Need for ‘Competent judges’
• Common values
• Wolfenden report

Question 20

Natural Law

Answer 20

Marriage:
- Sacrament & Human law
- Goods of marriage

Premarital sex:
- Liberal v Traditional

Extramarital sex:
- Divine, Natural & Human

Homosexuality:
- Telos dependent

Question 21

Kantian ethics

Answer 21

Marriage:
- Promise keeping 7 duties
- Companionate

Premarital sex:
- Means to an end

Extramarital sex:
- Promise

Homosexuality:
- Adultery

Question 22

Utilitarianism

Answer 22

Marriage/Premarital sex:
- Act v Rule
- Sociological evidence

Extramarital sex:
- Greatest satisfaction

Homosexuality:
- Irrational prejudice
- Foucault
- Greatest number principle

Question 23

Situation ethics

Answer 23

Marriage:
- Intrinsic good

Premarital sex:
- Exploration

Extramarital sex:
- Four working principles
- Sacrificial adultery example

Homosexuality:
- Most loving & fulfilling
- Non-Jewish practices