Theme A

human sexuality

how people express their sexual needs

contemporary beliefs on sexuality

The age of consent to have sex is 16

• Homosexual relationships are legal

• Multiple sexual partners, homosexuality & children outside of marriage are accepted

homosexuality quote (reproduction)

“Go forth and multiply”

• Can’t multiply homosexually, going against God

homosexuality quote (sexual relations)

 ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does a woman; that is detestable’ (Leviticus 18:22)

• Not a sin to be homosexual but the sex itself is unnatural therefore should remain celibate

homosexuality quote (liberal christians)

‘To reject people on the grounds of their sexual behavior is a denial of God's creation’ (quaker)

• homosexual relationships are equally full of love

• The Methodist Church and United Reform Church in England will conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies

• Quakers take the view

adultery

outside marriage; refers to sex between two people where at least one is married to someone else

adultery (10 commandments)

 ‘You shall not commit adultery’ (Exodus 20:14)

• breaks vows to God

• betrayal of trust(coming from lust)

• threaten familial stability

adultery (lust)

 ‘Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart’ (Matthew 5:27-28)

sex before marriage (temple)

 ‘The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit’ (1 Corinthians 6:19)

• should maintain chastity of body to honor God’s creation

sex before marriage (commitment)

 ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24)

• sex is only done to produce a baby, otherwise purely lust without commitment.

family planning

planning when to have a family and its size by use of birth control practices or contraception

3 types of contraception

• natural

• artificial

• permanent

natural

• the rhythm method tracking the menstrual cycle

• the pull-out before ejaculation

artificial

• condom

• the pill

• the coil or diaphragm

permanent

• neutering

• sterilization

abortifacient

taken after the sperm and egg have been fertilized

• completely disagreed by catholic church

• ‘morning after’ pill

family planning (every act…)

‘Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life’ (Humanae Vitae, 1968)

• understand circumstances don’t always work

• catholics believe only natural should be used, otherwise against natural law as end goal is children

family planning (principles)

‘Provided it is done in the light of Christian principles’ (Lambeth Conference, 1930)

• life starts at the fertilization, if abortifacient, the Christians consider it murder

marriage

legal and sometimes religious, union between two people as partners in a relationship

marriage(leave)

 ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24)

• life long relationship that sets precedent for procreation

• reflects same love from Jesus to the Church

marriage(vows)

 ‘as Christ loved the Church’ (Ephesians 5:25)

‘Till death us do part’

• marriage is also a promise between the couple to God

• proper place for sex, kids, love

divorce

legal ending of a marriage (divorce is allowed after one year in the UK)

• Adultery

• Domestic abuse

• Addiction

• Illness or disability

• Work or financial pressures

divorce(jesus’ no)

‘He (Jesus) answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” ‘

divorce(unfaithfulness)

‘If a man divorces his wife for any cause other than unchastity (unfaithfulness) he involves her in adultery’ (Matthew 5:32)

• allows divorce from unfaithfulness

polygamy

having more than one wife at the same time

bigamy

marrying someone already married to another

catholic divorce belief

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a permanent sacrament

• still considered to be married in the eyes of God

• cannot remarry in church while their partner is still alive(unless marriage was annulled for validity)

nature of family

• supportive and forgiving

• nurturing

• disciplinary

purpose of family

• reproduce

• increase followers of Jesus

• build responsible workforce

nature of family(alone)

“It is not good for man to be alone I will make a suitable helper for him” - Genesis

• Family is meant to support and care for one another

purpose of family(love ur wives)

‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her’ (Ephesians 5:25)

• where morals are learnt

nature/purpose (provoke)

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline of the Lord”

• must uphold children’s dignity

nature of family(obey)

‘Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

• Children’s responsibility to repay parents

gender equality

same rights & opportunities regardless of gender

• executed via 2010 Equality Act

biblical attitudes towards women (+)

• special role in Jesus’ parable

• Deborah female prophet from Old Testament

• revealed to Mary(s) before disciples when Jesus awoke

biblical attitudes towards women (-)

• women = unclean, temptress

• praised for their humility enhancing male stories

• predominant male narratives in bible

gender equality (all one)

‘nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28)

gender equality (head)

“Let women to subject to their husbands as to the Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife”

• St Paul, husband = God & brains

gender equality (prophets)

“Your sons and daughters shall prophesize”

gender equality(silent)

“Women should remain silent in the churches”

church treatment of women

• equal to men, can be baptised

• can be vicars & bishops in english church

• cannot be priests in catholic church

• complementarianism believes women should stay at home to care for children