Sexual ethics

Sexual ethics

1. homosexuality

   • Christianity
     • The Bible is quite straightforward and you can sum up the main Biblical views with a few quotes such as: - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."- "[homosexuals are] sexually immoral"- "they will not inherit the kingdom of God" - 1 Corinthians 6:9
     • Quakers
       • Quakers see God in everyone and that leads us to say that all committed loving relationships are of equal worth and so Quakers in Britain wish to celebrate them in the same way.
       • "Quakers have been celebrating same-sex relationships as marriages within our faith community since 2009 and are delighted to see the law catch up."
       • since 2009 quakers have been celebrating and accepting marriage between two people of the same sex
     • - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Leviticus 18:22
     • Traditionally, Christians have condemned homosexual sex as immoral. Main reason for doing so has been the teaching of the Bible, which takes a very negative view: Homosexual sex is to be punishable by death (Leviticus 20:13).
     • Some Christians have also argued that homosexuality is wrong because it contradicts the order of God’s creation. God made humans as man and woman, so that they could be partners together (Genesis 2). Therefore, homosexuality seems to be unintended.
     • Again, some liberal Christians take a more positive view. Controversially, in 2003 an openly gay man, Gene Robinson, was made Anglican archbishop of New Hampshire (USA). Some in the Church of England argue that loving homosexual relationships are acceptable.
     • on the 30th of march in 2014 at midnight same sex marrigaes in England and wales because legal
   • Jewish, Christian, Sikh and Muslim cultures have generally perceived homosexual behaviour as sinful. Many Jewish and Christian leaders, however, have gone to great lengths to make clear that it is the homosexual acts and not the homosexual individuals or their "orientation" that is condemned

2. Sex and marriage

   • Christianity
     • Early Christian views
       • Philo referred to women as "instruments of evil" who corrupt men. Without women, he said, men would be rational creatures.
       • Sex outside marriage = evil.
     • Modern Christian views
       • Marriage is about love, honour, Remain faithful -
         • "til death us do part".
       • As ever, sex outside marriage is wrong. Sex should also stay part of the emotional and personal commitment that marriage entails - the two shouldn't be separate.
     • Marriage is a gift from God, and nothing less.
     • The Bible regards marital ( sex between a married couple) sex as normal and moral behaviour. Saint Paul says that marriage “is no sin” (1 Corinthians 7)
     • Ten Commandments (“You shall not commit adultery” Exodus 20).
     • The Roman Catholic Church
       • clear teaching on this: “every genital act must be within the framework of marriage”.

3. Divorce

   • Christianity
     • A vow cannot be broken
     • marriage is an eternal bond. remarriage to some may be viewed as spiritual adultery.
     • Jesus said anyone marrying a divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 5).