sexual ethics SOR

christianity principal beliefs recap

• Trinity

• The incarnation 100% god and 100% human

• Death and reincarnation of Jesus

• Jesus as a model for Christian life

• Salvation (relationship with god restored through Jesus’ sacrifice)

christianity process of ethical decision making

Wesleyan quadrilateral categorises factors of ethical decision making in Christianity into scripture, tradition, reason and experience.

christianity purpose of human sexuality

procreation (Genesis 1:28)

intimacy with one’s partner (Ephesians 5:31)

enjoyment

removal of temptation to betray one’s partner and commit adultery (Corinthians 7:2)

ephesians 5:32 on marriage ethics christianity

Marriage was to reflect the relationship between God and the Church, seen as a covenant before God. Emphasis placed on purity, commitment, and the sacredness of marriage. 

hebrews 13:4 on marriage ethics christianity

Marriage should be honoured, adultery and immorality will be judged upon by God

genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4–6 marriage ethics christianity

sexual intimacy is a sacred gift designed to be shared exclusively within the covenant of marriage. sex in this context reflects unity, love, commitment, and openness to life.

marriage ceremony in christianity connection to principal beliefs

presence of symbols including a crucifix to represent Christ’s sacrificial love and a three strand cord as a reminder of God’s inclusion within the covenant.

celibacy connection to christian principal beliefs

as Jesus is a model for christian life, marriage isn’t made mandatory in Christianity (as there is no proof of Jesus having a spouse) and celibacy is permissible.

sodom and gomorrah homosexuality ethics christianity

• Genesis 18-19

• 2 cities seen as extremely sinful by God, thus destroyed

• men of the city, described as ‘wicked’ & ‘sinful’ demand that Lot bring out the visitors so that they can ‘know them’ (a term that often implies sexual relations in the Bible), thus connection is made that men having sex with man is wicked & sinful

• vague tho

levitican doctrine homosexuality ethics

Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13 explicitly condemn male same-sex sexual activity

romans 1:26-27 on homosexuality ethics christianity

discusses same-sex relations as unnatural, implying story of sodom and gomorrah also condemns same-sex relations

notes on context & culture w/ homosexuality in christianity

• Interpretations of the statements in the bible are constantly redeveloping w/ further scientific development

• encouragement of men x woman relationships could be due to small populations, rampant disease and high mortality rate of the time, thus emphasising importance of preserving family lineage

• 'Shameful acts' of same-sex relations as described in the bible could be referring to sexual violence/rape/large age gaps etc.

islam principal beliefs recap

• Tawhid: absolute monotheism

• Presence of angels: obedient servants of Allah who carry out His commands without question, *accountability

• Books of Allah: qur’an literal word of god, other texts corrupted through translation such as gospel of Jesus and psalms of David.

• Rusul (the prophets): recognition and acceptance of prophets

• Akira: afterlife (jannah- paradise, jahannah- inferno)

• Qadr: divine decree and foreknowledge of allah

islam process of ethical decision making

• Fiqh: Islamic jurisprudence, the human interpretation and application of Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith. If no definitive answer can be found from process of jurisprudence, fiqh is then determined by consensus of Islamic scholars (Ijma) and analogical reasoning (Qiyas).

• An action can be determined as Halal (permissible), Mustahab (encouraged), Mubah (neutral), Makrooh (discouraged) or Haram (forbidden).

islam purpose of human sexuality

• Procreation is mandated

• fulfillment of natural human desire

• act of worship & obedience to Allah

• strengthens love between spouses

quote mandating procreation in islam

O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women…” (Surah An-Nisa 4:1)

(Bukhari and Muslim) quote on marriage and explanation

O young people! Whoever among you is able to marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty.

*prevents zina, aka forbidden sexual relation

definition of marriage in islam

Marriage (nikah) is a blessed contract between a man and a woman (Surah Ar-Rum 30:21)

polygamy in sharia law

Allows a man to marry up to four wives, provided he treats them equally and fairly (Quran, Surah An-Nisa, 4:3). A woman in Islam has the right to choose her spouse and negotiate her marriage contract. If polygamy is part of the marriage, she can seek divorce if she is dissatisfied with the arrangement.

symbols in islamic marriage

While the wedding ring is not a mandatory element in Islamic marriages, many Muslims adopt it as a symbol of the eternal bond between the husband and wife, circular shape symbolizes the unbroken and infinite nature of the marital commitment.

adultery ethics connection to principal beliefs

Adamancy against adultery partly stems from the principle belief in predestination, in that Allah chooses one’s spouse and that decision should be honoured.

marriage symbols in islam connection to tawhid

Further symbolism in Islamic marriage is prayers (Dua), playing a central role in reminder of the couple’s submission to Allah and seeking His blessings for their union.

islamic interpretation of sodom and gomorrah

• Surah Al-Al’raf (7:80-81): islamic interpretation of sodom and gomorrah is that homosexual acts will be condemned.

shariah law on homosexuality ethics

Focuses on the act of engaging in homosexual relations, viewed as sinful, as opposed to being homosexual in general. Many Islamic scholars stress that Muslims who identify as gay should avoid sexual relations. Just as any sin, one should repent.

muslim imams and homosexuality

An imam must uphold a moral example to the muslim community, and so homosexual imams are forbidden in order to avoid promoting or embodying a lifestyle seen as against Islamic teachings would contradict their role.

belief in angels connection to sexual ethics in islam (in general)

The principle belief in islam of angels holds accountability to an adherent’s actions as they are wary of each recorded sin to be weighed on the day of judgement. Relevant to all ethical teachings including those on marriage and homosexuality.

modern interpretations of shariah/islamic law in homosexuality

• The death penalty has historically been considered a punishment in some interpretations of Islamic law, though this is a subject of modern debate.

• Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) – USA-based group supporting LGBTQ+ Muslims.

principal beliefs in buddhism: the three jewels

The three jewels (buddha, dharma and sangha) provide and ideal goal to achieve with support and teachings such as the 4 noble truths.

process of ethical decision making in buddhism

The five precepts: cultivates virtuous conduct and avoids actions that cause harm. Not commandments but voluntary commitments, practitioners aim to create conditions conducive to peace, happiness, and the pursuit of spiritual awakening (nirvana). Incorporates refrainment from killing (1), stealing (2), sexual misconduct (3), false speech (4) and intoxicants (5).

definition of human sexuality in buddhism

• A natural bodily function tied to human craving and attachment (biological role).

• A way of maintaining social and family life — especially important for laypeople (social role).

• Something that should be handled ethically, mindfully, and with compassion.

• However the ultimate purpose of life in Buddhism is to end suffering (dukkha) by letting go of attachments — and sexual desire (karma) is one of the biggest attachments.

(Dhammapada 346) on human sexuality

“People who are greedy for sensual pleasures, fall into the current of craving like a spider into its own web. Those who cut off such craving move beyond sorrow and suffering.”

main ethics on marriage in buddhism

• Marriage is a secular institution (not seen as a requirement for spiritual progress), an arrangement between two people or two families

• Both partners are encouraged to uphold the Five Precepts. The 3rd precept in particular highlights what is considered sexual misconduct; promoting practitioners to avoid adultery, sexual exploitation, and any sexual activity that causes harm to oneself or others.

polygamy ethics in buddhism

Polygamy is not addressed in any buddhist texts however if it involves deceit or harm (e.g., secret marriages, inequality between spouses, or emotional neglect), it would be seen as a form of sexual misconduct.

symbols within buddhism marriage ceremony

•  a garland that represents the impermanence of life, as flowers are beautiful but will eventually wilt and fade, reminding the couple that all things are temporary

• a ring or circle symbolizes eternity, wholeness, and infinite commitment. The circle has no beginning or end, representing the couple’s commitment to one another through all the ups and downs of life.

relevance of anicca to buddhist marriage ethics

Non-attachment doesn’t mean being indifferent, but rather cultivating a balanced relationship where one does not cling to the partner or the relationship, and understands that change and separation are inevitable. However it also encourages selflessness, self sacrifice and respect.

ethical teachings on homosexuality buddhism

With its emphasis on psychology and cause and effect, Buddhism judges acts, including sexual acts, by the intention behind them and the effect they have. A sexual act motivated by love, mutuality and the desire to give and share would be judged positive no matter what the gender of the two persons involved. Therefore, homosexuality as such is not considered immoral in Buddhism or against the third Precept.

notes to keep in mind on rules with homosexuality in buddhism

• Will likely reflect cultural attitudes as there is not solid teaching on homosexuality in buddhism.

• Today only Tibetan Buddhism specifically discourages sex between men (though not between women).

natural vs artifical contraception and why relevant to christian ethics

natural: eg rhythm method

artifical: birth control or IUDs

religious institutions tend to accept natural methods of contraception as opposed to artificial, but in christianity it depends on the denomination

openness to life concept christianity

• important to remain open to the possibility of children, seen as a key principle of marital intimacy generally across all denominations despite the varying rules.

• this is due to how it is believed a main purpose of marriage is procreation in Christianity, contraception could be seen as interfering with Gods plan.

general opinions on contraception across christian denominations

• Catholic belief that contraception separates the unitive and procreative purposes of marriage, which is seen as contrary to God’s design for marital intimacy

• more flexible, permissive views in many Protestant and Orthodox communities. 

sodom and gomorrah islam quote (Sunan Abu Dawood)

“The one who does the act of the people of Lot (homosexuality), and the one to whom it is done, will both be cursed.”

principal beliefs in buddhism: the markers of existence

The markers of existence (annica, anatta and dukkha) highlight the buddhist belief in impermanence and how that causes suffering

principal beliefs in buddhism: liberation

One can be liberated from (nirvana) the cycle of rebirth (samsara) based upon consequences of one’s actions/ethical decisions (karma) through following the ethical teachings.

(Quran 17:70) quote backing new interpretations of qur’an in homosexuality

“And We have certainly honored the children of Adam...”