Sexual Ethics Flashcards
Marriage:
Significant to Christians as it not only represents the union of man & woman, but of God & the world. Marriage gives rights, responsibilities and protection to the couple.
The reasons for marriage rely on natural law, in order to determine the goods of marriage;
- Procreation
- Nurture
- Control of sex
‘The vocation of marriage is written in the very nature of man & woman’ - CCC
Jesus teachings on marriage
‘And the two shall become one flesh’ - (Mark 10) Jesus established that;
Marriage is a transformation brought about by God
Life long fidelity as the couple are spiritually one
Divorce
Jesus appeared to allow for divorce (on the grounds of unchastity), but was against remarriage - ‘Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery’
St Paul only permits divorce if the couple is mixed (Christian and not)
Marriage as a sacrament
Sacrament: A highly significant religious moment, with various outward signs used to represent visible changes
The view of marriage as a sacrament is commonly held by Roman Catholics and some Anglicans, the external symbols include spoken vows and the exchanging of rings in order to represent the inward spiritual changes taking place (‘One flesh’). This view of marriage is indissoluble, and official separation is only based on Jesus’ and St Paul’s teachings
Marriage as a covenant
Covenant: An agreement or promise which involves a degree of commitment
For many Protestant Christians, sacrament signifies the establishment of a binding covenant, no essential changes take place but there is a spiritual change in the relationship. This suggests marriage is meant to be a union of minds and bodies in a stable environment, in which children may flourish. Divorce is permitted if there is a breakdown of the relationship, but remarriage is debated upon
Cohabitation
Cohabitation reflects the more informal nature of modern living, and can be divided into 3;
- Casual
- Trial marriage
- Substitute marriage
The official position of most Christian Churches is that marriage is the most stable and satisfactory basis for family & sexual life, therefore cohabitation is unacceptable. Some liberal Christian’s may accept trial marriage cohabitation as an acceptable part of the marriage process. Their argument is that marriage is not a singular event, but a moment in a number of stages which begin with engagement.
Extramarital sex
Extramarital sex has always been regarded by the Church as grossly immoral
‘The social consequences…were seen to be too damaging to be tolerated’
According to the Old Testament, both the ‘adulterer and adulteress shall be put to death’, however the punishments at the time reflect the view of women as the temptress & therefore at fault. A man who had an affair was not punished (Unless with a married woman or virgin) whereas a married woman could be immediately divorced.
Jesus did not condone adultery, however he considered the death penalty to be unwarranted
In the story of the adulterous woman, Jesus said ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’
The Church still holds adultery as a serious breach of marriage vows, but would place the blame equally on the offending party, regardless of gender. Adultery continues to be used as justification for divorce, however the church are also conscious that forgiveness & understanding should still be shown, as in the story of the adulterous woman
Remarriage after adultery
Liberal Christian’s argue that depending on the circumstances, and depending on intentions to fulfil marriage promises, that they should be allowed to remarry in the church. Conservative Protestants take the biblical teaching on adultery very seriously & do not allow a Christian remarriage in a church. Roman Catholics only recognise annulment and therefore do not consider ‘remarriage’ possible.
Traditional teachings
The bible condemn all forms of homosexual practice because it breaks the covenant between God and his people;
The towns of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God due to their practice of homosexual rape (Genesis 19:1-8)
‘You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination’ - Leviticus 18:22
It is also taught that sex is to be unitive but also to be ‘open to the transmission of life’, and separation from this undermines the sacramental dimension of marriage & degrades the relationship of husband and wife.
As such, the RCC regards homosexuality as against scripture & natural law, and thus calls them to chastity, disinterested friendship & self-mastery of their sexual urges
‘Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered’ - CCC, however they should still be treated with ‘respect, compassion & sensitivity’ as there is a vocation for all, and a gay person can also approach ‘Christian perfection’ by developing their gifts as a single person.
Liberal teachings
Liberal Christians argue that the bible must be read in its historical context & from the perspective of what it means to be in a gay relationship, not merely the physical acts. They lost argue that Christianity has a strong sense of justice, supporting the marginalised, so it is only right to value all relationships, as all people are made in the image of God.
Sodom and Gomorrah were condemned because of all kinds of social wickedness including violence and rape & Jesus refers to Sodoms lack of hospitality as something that will be judged on the day of judgement
Leviticus 18 condemns all that upsets the natural order & ensures the Israelites do not do what the Canaanites do, such as homosexual prostitution, not relationships
Liberal Christian’s were inspired by Jesus the liberator who ‘let the oppressed go free’
Middle way
Issues in human sexuality (CofE) attempted to find a middle ground between the traditional & liberal position. The biblical view is that marriage is the normative place for sex;
‘Sexual activity outside marriage comes to be seen as sinful’
On the other hand, the report says that God does not condemn homosexuality as ‘God loves us all alike’ & permits prayers to be said after a civil partnership, but a priest cannot bless a same-sex union
Mills Liberty Principle
Negative liberty: The least interference of the state or others to restrict individuals
Positives liberty: The freedom to fulfil ones potential by being involved in government
Mills position is largely in defence of negative liberty, on the basis that;
A variety of lifestyles enhances society
No one can have a monopoly on morality; people should make their own moral choices
There are many responses to this, including;
Mills principle presumes that people are their own best judges, but even he acknowledges that we need ‘competent judges’.
Variety does not necessarily make a happier society, a community with common values & aims may feel freer
Mills liberty principle was used in revising the Wolfenden report, decriminalising homosexuality.
