Topic 21 + 22 Sex outside of marriage And Cohabitation

Question 1

what comes under sex outside of marriage?

Answer 1

adultery, promiscuity and pre marital sex

Question 2

outline differing non religious responses to adultery

Answer 2

• opposed-> hurt it can create, hurts whole family especially if children are involved, causing emotional harm
• adultery is one of the grounds for divorce under UK law
• hedonists believe that if pleasure is gained thorugh adultery and it is done completely in secret then it may be acceptable
• some argue adultery is a way out of a midlife crisis, can bring excitement and joy back into a persons life
• can be acceptable if partner had severe dementia, or in PVS

Question 3

explain why all christians have same response to adultery

Answer 3

1. one of 10 commandments is do not commit adultery, this is re emphasised by jesus when he says ‘however looks at a woman lustfully and desires her has already committed adultery in her heart’ matt 5, however they would also agree that we should forgive adulterers if they are truly sorry as jesus forgave an adulterous woman in john 8
2. RCC -> adultery = condemned, but forgiveness if confessed to priest and who is working to reconcile relationship -> this is important as divorce is not allowed on basis of adultery
   due to natural law which emphasises marriage is for life + sex is within context of marriage
3. cofe don’t accept adultery but under extre,e circumstances maybe acceptable eg husband in PVS and forms a relationship w someone else after many years -> victims of adultery can be remarried in church, as well as emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation if repentance for adultery -> taken from bible but move w society
4. quakers -> adultery not acceptable as does not sit right w conscience, however like cofe can be specific circumstances

Question 4

what is promiscuity?

Answer 4

when a person has sexual relations with many partners without real commitment

Question 5

explain responses to promiscuity from a religious point of view

Answer 5

• all christians believe that promiscuity ignores fact sex is gift from god, primarily for reproduction, as well as health risks and immorality associated w it

1. RCC -> strongly opposed as natural law emphaises function of sex for procreation solely in marriage
2. cofe -> condemnation but also repentance and forgiveness -> eg jesus forgave woman in john 8 who had 5 husbands, and was sleeping w non husband too, also forgave prostitute in luke 7
3. quakers -> promote staying safe, consdiered putting condom machines in meetings houses during rise of AIDs, but do not promote promiscuity, instead see sex for loving relationship

Question 6

explain non religious responses to promiscuity

Answer 6

1. increases likelihood of spread of STIs, no form of contraception is 100% effective against pregancy or disease, more sex more likely to come into contact with someone w an sti
2. emotionally harmful due to having many short term relationships, undermine person’s sense of self worth whilst devaluing sex as the ultimate manifestation of love
3. some ppl woulf argue that consenting adults do together is own choice, provided they use contraception, make intentions clear, and don’t hurt anyone

Question 7

outline general christian views about pre marital sex with teachings to support

Answer 7

1. traditinally -> wait, as keeps sex special, and ensures don’t conceive children until in a stable situation, esp as contraception not 100% effective
2. traditionally -> opposed, as bride wears white as symbol of virginity, eg in deut 22 woman can be stoned if not a virgin on her wedding, as sex is git from god and not to be used thougthlessly, can also increase stis, unloved kids etc

Question 8

explain why there are differing responses to pre marital sex

in christianity

Answer 8

1. RCC -> no pre marital sex -> bible corinthians 7, ‘but if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, it is better to marry than burn with passion’, also natural law
2. CofE -> don’t promote it, but recognise that it occurs so accpet that if it happens, it must do within a stable committed relationship eg engaged couple, taken from bible but also move w times
3. quakers -> accept it, see quality of relaitonship as the most important thing, if ready for sex then that is acceptable as long as conscience has been sought after

Question 9

explain non religious responses to pre marital sex

Answer 9

1. nothing wrong, just demonstration of love, not like promiscuity as kept for one special person, also takes relationship to next level
2. consenting adults can do as they wish, even before marriage, but should take precautions, such as contraception, this does not apply to adultery or promiscuity necessarily
3. traditional view that if really in love, then they will wait until married for sex
4. humanists -> accept it as sex can be for pleasure and may be hood thing to have different partners befoe settling down in a stable relationship

Question 10

outline christian attitudes towards cohabitation

cohabitation is instead of marriage

Answer 10

1. rcc -> against, any sex outside of marriage = sin, marriage and all that goes w it = sacrament -> based on natiral law and biblical teachings of becoming one flesh during sex in marriage
2. cofe -> accepts that cohabitation may be appropriate, while not ideal -> church becoming more accepting as realising there are some circumstances eg cannot afford to marry , tend to move with society w views about sex outside of marriage becoming more liberal
3. quakers -> cohabitation is fine as long as stands in line with conscience of indivdual

Question 11

non religious views towards cohabitation

Answer 11

1. preferable to marriage, don’t have restrctions of religious society, it is also cheaper as don’t have to live in two houses
2. tax incentives to get married have been removed, not so much impetus to get married
3. better to live together before getting married so can be sure making right decision
4. humanists agree that no one should feel like they should have to marry if they don’t want to (agree with 4 too)