Sexual ethics

Question 1

Biblical references to homosexuality

Answer 1

“Do not lie with a man as one lies with a women; that is detestable”
“(Homosexuals are) sexually immoral”
“They will not inherit the kingdom of God”

Question 2

Bishop Spong on biblical views of homosexuality

Answer 2

Not everyone interprets it literally.
Some would argue against this and say we need cultural context. The frequent use of male prostitutes at the time is what these verses are often referring to.
Homosexuality relationships must be loving - none that are loving have been attacked, only abusive ones.

Question 3

Arguments against the Christian view of homosexuality

Answer 3

“They will not inherit the kingdom of God” is not applicable to athiests.
No empirical evidence to suggest a homophobic God.
The bible is outdated and relative to culture.
What about verses such as “accept one another” - romans
Different interpretations
Conflicting ideas of love.

Question 4

Christian counter criticisms on their view of homosexuality

Answer 4

Revelation, being God’s word is empirical evidence for a God who is against homosexuality.
God is unchanging and the bible is his word so it will always be outdated.

Question 5

Homosexuality in a secular society

Answer 5

Becoming increasingly accepted.
Illegal until 1967 - often led to imprisonment 
Considered a mental illness
Age of consent for homosexual sex:
21 from 1967
18 from 1994 
16 from 2001

Question 6

Aquinas on homosexuality

Answer 6

Sexual organs were created in order to fulfil one of the primary precepts, reproduction, As a result of this, any sexual act that does not result in pregnancy is wrong.

Question 7

Criticisms of Aquinas’ view on homosexuality

Answer 7

Homosexuality cannot be put into the same category as contraception as it does not actively prevent pregnancy, it was just never possible. More similar to infertile people.
Conflicting precepts - homosexual adoption upholds an ordered society.

Question 8

Dean Haemer

Answer 8

There are over 5 million separate genes that come together in the human body to influence sexuality suggesting there is a biological explanation.

Question 9

Criticisms of Haemer

Answer 9

Aquinas’ argument was made hundreds of years ago so it is unfair to attack it with modern science.

Question 10

Catholic moral theology on homosexuality

Answer 10

Homosexuality is addressed under 2 forms:

Homosexuality is considered an “objective disorder” because Catholicism views it as being “ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil” but not sinful unless acted upon.

Homosexual activity is viewed as “moral disorder” such acts are contrary to natural law.

Nevertheless, gay people must be accepted with “respect, compassion and sensitivity”.

Question 11

Catholic moral theology on same sex unions

Answer 11

The church holds that same sex unions are an unfavorable environment for children and harmful to society.

Question 12

The Anglican church on homosexuality

Answer 12

1998 - “Homosexual acts are incompatible with scripture”

In many place, Anglican churches have taken steps to approve of and celebrate same sex relationships.

Question 13

The Church of England

Answer 13

The current position is that marriage is between a man and a women. They do support celibate same sex relationships and civil partnerships.

Question 14

Liberal position

Answer 14

Many bless homosexuality.

They regard it as a natural occurrence.

Question 15

Situation ethics on homosexuality

Answer 15

Right and wrong depend on what best serves love in a particular situation.
“Love wins”
“Agape love” is unconditional love for all
Tolerated by SE’s.
The person and their relationship should be at the heart of each decision.
SE should serve equality
If the relationship is meaningful, rules against it can be broken.

Question 16

Strengths of the SE approach to homosexuality

Answer 16

“God’s image” shows that we are all equal and this should extend to relationships.
It is no longer illegal and many people think it is a good thing as agape love is the highest end.

Question 17

Weaknesses of the SE approach to homosexuality

Answer 17

Some struggle to apply it as a christian principle as it ignores absolute rules such as “do not lie with a man as you would with a women”.

Question 18

Kantian ethics on homosexuality

Answer 18

Homosexuality = wrong
It degrades human beings below the level of animals.
Universalizing reproduction as a requirement of sex makes homosexual sex unethical.
Actions must be good for all people in all situations.
HOWEVER treating people with dignity requires all people to be treated equally.
Humans should be treated as ends. If ‘end’ means the continuation of society, homosexuality disregards this purpose.

Question 19

Strengths of Kant’s view on homosexuality

Answer 19

He may consider a loving, life-long relationship to be completely acceptable. We should not treat anyone as means to an end e.g. someone should not be a subject of someones else’s lust.

Question 20

Weaknesses of Kant’s view on homosexuality

Answer 20

Surrogacy and adoptions are alternatives that erase the problem of the continuation of society. - Kant would say this isn’t unverifiable.
Why is reproduction the ‘end’.
What about loving?
There is no evidence to suggest an ‘end’ so why does Kant get to decide what it is?
“It is always right to love someone in a consenting relationship” seems to be a fair maxim which is unverifiable.

Question 21

MacIntyre

Answer 21

Anybody can universalize anything for their own situation.

Question 22

Arthur Schopenahauer

Answer 22

Homosexuality is way of preventing greater evils such as the birth of unwanted children.

Question 23

Population and homosexuality

Answer 23

In an over-populated world, it could be immoral to suggest that all human beings have a duty to marry and reproduce.

Question 24

Utilitarianism on homosexuality

Answer 24

A utilitarianism might suggest that homosexuality should be prohibited in the interests of the majority.

Question 25

John Stuart Mill on homosexuality

Answer 25

It is important to allow homosexuality to prevent mass social prejudice by restricting the rights and happiness of individuals.
We should focus on qualitative measures of happiness and the worth of different pleasures.
Pleasure and happiness for the homosexual minority > the pain of those who oppose homosexuality.

Question 26

Strengths of the utilitarian view on homosexuality

Answer 26

It would allow acts between consenting adults.
Peter Singer - countries should not out law activities that are morally neutral
Mill - sexual preferences should be a matter of individual choice.

Question 27

Weaknesses of the utilitarian view on homosexuality

Answer 27

Measures of pain and harm cannot be calculated accurately.
It depends on whether the people involved are capable of making an informed decision – however, surely this is no different to heterosexual relationships?