Sexual ethics Flashcards
1
Q
What does Plato believe about physical urges?
A
- they corrupt the soul
- distract you from spiritual matters
- so they need to be controlled
2
Q
What were the varied options about the role of sexes in Ancient Greek civilization?
A
Sexual morality and relationships
3
Q
In Ancient Greece, what was the common view regarding women and young men?
A
Women for childbearing, young men for sexual pleasure
4
Q
What was the societal view on prostitution in Ancient Greece?
A
Prostitution was commonplace and acceptable
5
Q
According to Plato, what is the relationship between the soul and the body?
A
Soul as the form of the body
6
Q
How does Plato define the soul?
A
Permanent, perfect, pure
7
Q
How does Plato define the body?
A
Temporary, corrupted
8
Q
What does Plato believe physical urges do to the soul?
A
Corrupt the soul, distract from spiritual matters
9
Q
What is the initial nature of sexual attraction according to Plato?
A
Physical - a bodily urge
10
Q
How can initial sexual attraction develop, according to Plato?
A
Into love - an appreciation of the psyche of another person
11
Q
What did Plato’s dualism emphasize about the body?
A
The body as the negative, corrupt aspect of human existence
12
Q
What was Aristotle’s view on the purpose of sex?
A
Sex is functional and for reproduction
13
Q
How did Aristotle compare sexual desire to hunger?
A
Sexual desire is an appetite, just like hunger is for food
14
Q
What did Aristotle believe about appetites?
A
They need moderation
15
Q
What was Aristotle’s judgment about sex?
A
A biological function that should be moderated
16
Q
Summarize the view of sex in relation to God.
A
Sex is commanded by God
17
Q
How is sex viewed within marriage according to the summary?
A
Sex is seen as positive
18
Q
What are the purposes of sex within marriage as per the summary?
A
For reproduction and to unite a husband and wife
19
Q
What are the boundaries regarding acceptable sexual practices?
A
There are boundaries to what is considered acceptable
20
Q
What negative aspects are associated with sex in the summary?
A
Sex is a source of shame and sin
21
Q
What does Leviticus 18:22 say about sexual relations between men?
A
No man is to have sexual relations with another man; God hates that.
This verse is often cited in discussions about homosexuality in religious contexts.
22
Q
What is the correct translation of Leviticus 20:13 regarding homosexual acts?
A
You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination.
This verse indicates severe consequences for homosexual acts in the context of the Old Testament.
23
Q
What patriarchal attitudes contribute to the condemnation of homosexuality in the Old Testament?
A
Involves a man taking a subservient role, contrary to Jewish paternalistic principles.
Female homosexuality is not explicitly punished in the Old Testament.
24
Q
What do purity laws in the Old Testament suggest about homosexuality?
A
It is wrong to use something for which it was not intended by God, as it confuses the natural order.
This includes prohibitions against men dressing as women and mixing different species.
25
How does the Old Testament view separation from Gentiles in relation to homosexuality?
Homosexuality, especially temple prostitution, was practiced by Gentiles.
## Footnote
The intent was to rid Jewish society of anything associated with pagan practices.
26
What are the key stories from Genesis and Judges that traditional Christians use to argue against homosexuality?
Sodom's destruction and the story in Judges 19:12-20:17.
## Footnote
These stories illustrate the consequences of homosexual acts as perceived in biblical narratives.
27
True or False: Female homosexuality is explicitly punished in the Old Testament.
False.
## Footnote
The Old Testament does not contain explicit punishments for female homosexuality.
28
Fill in the blank: The Old Testament condemns homosexuality partly due to its association with _______.
pagan practices.
## Footnote
This reflects a broader concern for maintaining cultural and religious purity.
29
What is a similar prohibition in the Old Testament regarding clothing?
A man dressing as a woman (Deut 22:5).
## Footnote
This reflects the broader theme of maintaining distinct gender roles as prescribed in the law.
30
What is the consequence mentioned in Leviticus 20:13 for men who engage in homosexual acts?
Both shall be put to death.
## Footnote
This reflects the severity of the laws in the Old Testament regarding sexual conduct.
31
What is considered a serious sin in ancient Jewish society?
The seriousness of the offense is inhospitality and rape or attempted rape against a man.
32
What is the consequence of collective responsibility in ancient Jewish society?
The whole town could be destroyed.
33
How is homosexuality viewed in ancient Jewish interpretations?
Homosexuality is clearly a sin, but perhaps not as grave as suggested by some interpretations.
34
Who was Philo of Alexandria?
A highly influential Jewish theologian who influenced St. Paul's views on sexual morality, as well as Augustine and Aquinas.
35
What was Philo's view on the purpose of sex?
The sole purpose of sex is reproduction; all non-procreative sex is condemned as pointless.
36
How did Philo view women in relation to sin?
Women were seen as the source of evil and temptation, illustrated by the story of the Fall.
37
What was the perceived purpose of women according to Philo?
The purpose of women was seen as child-bearing.
38
What was Philo's stance on celibacy?
Celibacy is considered the ideal.
39
What did Philo say about homosexuality?
Sex is only for reproduction; any waste of 'seed' is condemned.
40
How did Philo describe homosexuality?
Homosexuality is like sowing a seed in a desert—pointless, unnatural, and contrary to God's intended purpose for sex.
41
How was lesbian homosexuality viewed by Philo?
Lesbian homosexuality was not condemned in the same way, as it did not waste 'seed.'
42
What did Philo consider to be sinful?
He considered physical pleasure to be sinful.
43
What does Matthew 5:27-30 say about lust and adultery?
Anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery in his heart.
## Footnote
This verse emphasizes that even thoughts leading to adultery are sinful.
44
What is the significance of John 8:1-11 regarding adultery?
Jesus forgives an adulteress and instructs her to not sin again, asserting that the one without sin should cast the first stone.
## Footnote
This highlights the theme of forgiveness and the less severe view of adultery compared to Jewish standards.
45
How does St. Paul view celibacy?
Introduces celibacy as an ideal in 1 Corinthians 7:1.
## Footnote
He suggests that remaining single is preferable for those who can control their sexual urges.
46
What does Paul state about marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9?
Marriage is for those who cannot control their sexual urges.
## Footnote
This reflects Paul's belief in the necessity of celibacy for spiritual focus.
47
What is Paul's eschatological view regarding marriage and childbearing?
He believes Jesus's return is imminent, which diminishes the importance of marriage and childbearing.
## Footnote
This urgency influences his teachings on sexual ethics.
48
What does 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 state about sexual immorality?
Gornicators and adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God.
## Footnote
This reflects a collective Jewish responsibility towards maintaining sexual morality.
49
What does 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 imply about sexual immorality?
Sexual immorality is detrimental because Christians are united with Christ and the Holy Spirit.
## Footnote
This unity elevates the moral expectations for Christians.
50
What is St. Paul's attitude towards sex?
He has an extremely negative attitude towards sex.
## Footnote
This perspective echoes Platonic views of the body as a source of imperfection.
51
Fill in the blank: St. Paul argues that marriage is for those who cannot control their _______.
sexual urges
52
True or False: According to St. Paul, celibacy is considered an ideal lifestyle.
True
53
What is the significance of Jesus' references to homosexuality in the Gospels?
No explicit reference made by Jesus.
## Footnote
Possible reference in Matthew 19:22 suggests some men cannot marry because they were born that way.
54
What does Matthew 19:22 imply about homosexuality?
It suggests that some men cannot marry because they were born that way, implying innate characteristics.
## Footnote
If this is a recognition of homosexuality, it is not explicitly condemned.
55
How does St. Paul describe homosexual acts in Romans 1:18-32?
Describes male-female homosexual acts as 'unnatural' and receiving God's punishment.
## Footnote
This passage has been interpreted as a condemnation of homosexual behavior.
56
What does 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 state regarding homosexuals?
Sexual/homosexual 'perverts' will not see the kingdom of God.
## Footnote
This verse is often cited in discussions about Christian views on homosexuality.
57
What is the traditionalist view on homosexuality according to St. Paul?
Homosexual acts are against the natural order and revert to Old Testament purity laws.
## Footnote
Traditionalists maintain this perspective today.
58
What do revisionists argue regarding St. Paul's teachings on homosexuality?
They argue that the values expressed by St. Paul no longer apply.
## Footnote
This perspective represents a more modern interpretation of scripture.
59
What do traditionalists argue about the condemnation of homosexuality?
They point out the explicit and extraneous condemnation of homosexuality and argue that sin is sin.
## Footnote
This reflects a consistent traditional theological stance.
60
What is the negative view of sex according to Carly Christianity?
Described by St. Paul as 'an experiment of the serpent' and an impediment that separates from the Lord.
## Footnote
This view emphasizes the idea that sexual desire is sinful and distracting from spiritual devotion.
61
Why did Origen castrate himself?
He believed it would help him serve God better by overcoming his lust for women.
## Footnote
This reflects the extreme measures some early Christian thinkers took to pursue celibacy.
62
What did Bishop Ambrose say about married people?
He suggested that they ought to blush when considering the sort of life they lead.
## Footnote
This indicates a strong disapproval of sexual activity within marriage during this period.
63
What was St. Augustine's view on sex before and after the Fall?
Before the Fall, sex was not sinful; after the Fall, sexual awareness led to shame and disobedience.
## Footnote
Augustine interpreted sexual desire as a result of humanity's fallen state.
64
How did St. Augustine describe his past lifestyle?
'We ran wild in the shadowy jungle of erotic adventures.'
## Footnote
This reflects his acknowledgment of a promiscuous past that influenced his views on sexuality.
65
What is St. Jerome's view on married men regarding sexual desire?
A married man is an 'adulterer' with his own wife if he looks at her with sexual desire.
## Footnote
This underscores the negative perspective on sexual desire within marriage.
66
How does Aquinas define the telos (rational ends) of sex?
* Reproduction
* To give pleasure
* To unite a husband and wife
## Footnote
Aquinas's perspective includes both procreative and unitive purposes of sexual activity.
67
What is the relationship between natural law and divine law according to Aquinas?
Natural law is a way of understanding divine law.
## Footnote
This suggests that moral principles can be discerned through human reason and nature.
68
Fill in the blank: According to St. Augustine, sexual desire is seen as _______.
sinful and embarrassing.
69
True or False: St. Augustine believed sex was sinful before the Fall.
False.
## Footnote
He believed that before the Fall, sex was not sinful.
70
What does the YouCat believe sexuality should not be separated from and what happens if it is?
* should not be separated from love
* when it is and it is only for the sake of satisfaction, one destroys the meaning of the sexual union of the man and woman
71
What is the clear criteria that a married couple must observe according to the YouCat?
1. regulating births, in the first place, must not mean the couple is avoiding conception as a matter of principle
2. it must not mean avoiding children for selfish reasons
3. it must not mean that external coercion is involved
4. it must not mean that any and every means may be used
72
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about homosexuality?
* homosexual acts are contrary to natural lae and close the sexual act to the gift of lifw
* under no circumstances should they be approved
* the church accepts without reservation thoe who experience homosexual feelings, they should not be discriminated against
* however, all homosexual relations in any form are contrary to the order of creation
73
What is premarital sex?
refers to sex before marriage, ocurring in casual, short-term, or long-term, relationships
74
What is the traditional Christian teaching on premarital sex?
it is sinful, emphasising that sex within marriage is God's plan
74
Why does the Catholic Church strictly oppose premarital sex?
because they see it as the refusal to commit and a grave sin requiring reconciliation
75
What does the CofE say about premarital sex?
* they take a more flexible approach then that of the Catholic Curch suggesting that cohabitation is a step towards marriage
75
What is extramarital sex?
sex between a married person and someone other than their spouse or sex between a single person and a married person
76
Would Christianity accept extramarital sex?
no because they see sex as exclusive to marriage and see marriage as a lifelong bond
76
What does the Catholic Curch see remarriage after divorce as?
extramarital sex
77
What does Kantian ethics say about sexual ethics?
* viewed all sexual desires as purely physical urges which therefore treaded people as means to and end not as ends in themselves
* "...a person who sexually desires another person objectifies that person"
78
What does Kantian ethics say about homosexuality?
* descirbes it as something that "...demeans men beow the beasts"
79
What does Bentham say about sexual ethics?
* "as to [sex], it is evident that it produces no pain to anyone, on the contrary, it produces pleasure"
* Bentham only disagrees with non-consensual rape
80
What does Bentham say about homosexuality?
* he was the fist recorded public defender of homosexuality in the UK, in a time when homosexuality was illegal
* homosexual acts don't cause harm to society so are acceptable
81
What does Mill say about sexual ethics?
* negative liberty/harm principle - freedom to act as long as others are not harmed
* argued in favour of contraception
* examples of 'utilitarian laws' include 1967 abortion acts, 1967 homosexual reform act and the 1969 divorce reform act
82
What is Mill's view on homosexuality?
* sexual acts are morally neutral, unless performed in public
* therefore homosexuality ought only to be legislated against if it occurs in public
83
What is Singer's view on sexual ethics?
* there are no moral judgements on anything
* its wrong to condemn homosexuality on the grounds of it being unnatural
