11.3 Human Sexuality

Homosexual Relationships: The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual sex is unacceptable as it cannot result in new life.
Sex Before Marriage: Sex outside marriage is seen as devaluing the sacredness of sexual intimacy.
- Youcat 407: “Because love is so great, so sacred, and so unique, the Church teaches young people to wait until they are married before they start to have sexual relations.”
- Waiting until marriage avoids sexually transmitted diseases and promotes a respectful view of love.

Marriage Commitment: In Catholic teaching, the act of offering virginity in marriage creates a feeling of being special, loved, and privileged for both husband and wife.

Definition: Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.
Catholic View on Adultery:
- Adultery breaks marriage vows and betrays trust, leading to suffering for the innocent partner.
- It can bring distress and tension to the family, potentially resulting in a marital breakdown.

*Catholic Teaching*	*Other Christian Denominations*	*Contrasting/Non religious views*
Sex before marriage devalues intimacy and marriage.	Many share the Catholic view on reserving sex for marriage.	Casual sex is common, and contraceptives are often used.
Adultery breaks promises made in marriage and harms the family.	Also wrong as it breaks marriage promises.	Personal happiness is prioritised even if it causes harm.
Homosexuality should be celibate, and homosexual relations are unacceptable.	The Church of England supports same-sex civil partnerships.	Same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales (2014).

Homosexuality: Catholicism teaches that homosexuals should live celibate lives, as homosexual sex cannot lead to new life.
Other Christian Views: The Church of England accepts same-sex civil partnerships, and some United Reformed churches perform same-sex marriages.
Secular Views in Britain: Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2014, and many people support casual sex and contraception.