Christianity: Sexual Ethics ✅

Question 1

Quote - Catholic Church’s stance on homosexuality

Answer 1

• “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” (Catechism 2357) • “Homosexual persons are called to chastity.” (Catechism 2359)

Question 2

Outline ‘Tradition’ as a source of ethical guidance

Answer 2

• Many Christians look to their Church’s doctrine for guidance.
• Historically, leaders of Christian churches have presented responses to various problems that have confronted their congregations. They develop these responses through considered interpretations of how God has spoken to them through the scriptures and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
• E.g the Catholic Church does not interpret the Bible literally and doctrine is formed from church tradition and various Popes over the centuries. This is called the Catholic papal authority or encyclicals.

Question 3

Anglican Church’s stance on homosexuality

Answer 3

• The Church of England currently maintains that same-sex partnerships are acceptable for laypersons, and gay clergy may enter in a civil partnership as long as they are expected to give assurances of celibacy.

Question 4

Definition: A theory of ethics where moral rules are not absolutely binding and may be modified in the light of specific situations.

Answer 4

Situational Ethics

Question 5

Overall Christian stance on premarital sex

Answer 5

• The majority of Christianity believes that premarital sex is wrong.

Question 6

Uniting Church’s stance on extramarital sex

Answer 6

While the Uniting Church tends to be more liberal in matters of sexual ethics, it does not condone nor accept extramarital relationships.

Question 7

Catholic Church’s stance on premarital sex

Answer 7

• The Catholic Catechism strongly states that Premarital Sex is a sin as those ‘expressions of faith’ should be reserved for the love of a married couple

Question 8

What are two ethical theories relating to Christian ethics?

Answer 8

• Natural Law Theory • Situational Ethics

Question 9

Outline ‘Experience’ as a source of ethical guidance

Answer 9

• Prayer is seen as being a help to Christians in understanding how they should live their lives. • Christians believe prayer can guide them in dealing with decisions and choices they make about their lives. • Christianity is regarded as a living religion where the word of God is revealed through the Holy Spirit to individuals today.

Question 10

Anglican Church’s stance on premarital sex

Answer 10

• The Anglican Church’s official stance on premarital sex is that it should be avoided and one should aspire to abstain from sexual relationships until marriage. • A survey conducted in 2016 claimed that 73% of Anglicans living in Britain stated that there is nothing wrong with premarital sex despite conflicting church doctrine.

Question 11

Overall Christian stance on extramarital sex

Answer 11

All of Christianity believes that extramarital sex is an act of adultery and is should be avoided.

Question 12

Definition: Term used to describe a form of ethical thought which comes from the concept of perfect creation.

Answer 12

Natural Law Theory

Question 13

Definition: Natural Law Theory

Answer 13

Term used to describe a form of ethical thought which comes from the concept of perfect creation.

Question 14

What four sources do Christians use as authority?

Answer 14

• Scripture (Bible) • Tradition (Authority of Church leaders) • Experience (Inspiration from the Holy Spirit) • Logic (Reason)

Question 15

Quote - Two quotes on Christian stance on homosexuality

Answer 15

• “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination” (Lev 18:22) • “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men” (Rom 1:24-27)

Question 16

Definition: Situational Ethics

Answer 16

A theory of ethics where moral rules are not absolutely binding and may be modified in the light of specific situations.

Question 17

Outline the Natural Law Theory

Answer 17

• The belief is that God created everything perfectly so if we study the way life works and learn the laws of nature, we will learn how to behave. • It is the assumption that humanity is directed towards certain goals because this is what nature intended. Because these goals are created by God, they must be good. • Most religions support some form of Natural Law, but the Catholic Church is the main supporter within Christianity. • Thomas Aquinas in the 13th c. developed the Natural Law philosophy and articulated it for the Church. He was heavily influenced by Aristotle’s philosophy.

Question 18

Catholic Church’s stance on extramarital sex

Answer 18

• Roman Catholicism recognises that homosexual inclinations or preferences in its self are not sinful, however acting on these desires are considered immoral. • Homosexual individuals are urged to chastity as to not sin against God.

Question 19

Overall Christian Stance homosexuality

Answer 19

Most Christian denominations believe that homosexuality is a sin and that sex should only be between a man and a woman.

Question 20

Quote - Three quotes on Extramarital sex

Answer 20

• “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20) • But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:28) • “Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Heb 13:4 )

Question 21

Anglican Church’s stance on extramarital sex

Answer 21

Anglicans take a firm stance against extramarital relationships similar to most other denominations of Christianity.

Question 22

Catholic Church’s stance on extramarital sex

Answer 22

Catholics believe the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery”

Question 23

Uniting Church’s stance on extramarital sex

Answer 23

• The Uniting Church believes that homosexuality in all forms is not a sin. • They believe that ethical decisions relating to homosexuality should be left up to an individual’s interpretation of marriage. • The Uniting Church in Australia became the first major Christian denomination allow ordained ministers to marry same-sex couples in 2018 - It should be noted however that ministers are not compelled to marry a couple if it contradicts their ethical stance on the matter. - This comes soon after Australia’s legislative decision to allow same-sex marriage in Australia on the 9th, of December 2017.

Question 24

Outline ‘Logic’ as a source of ethical guidance

Answer 24

• God is perfection and created the ability to be critical and to develop logical arguments and procedures. From this, logically, the use of reason is a God-given gift which can be used in the development of responses to life questions.

Question 25

Outline the Situational ethics theroy

Answer 25

• A theory of ethics where moral rules are not absolutely binding and may be modified in the light of specific situations. • Created in reaction to legalism. It is the reaction to Natural Law where the view is that certain actions were absolutely right or wrong • Evaluates the actions in light of the situational context and it is up to the individual to determine the most loving response to a situation. • Established by Joseph Fletcher (1905-1991) an Epsicopalian Priest. • Situational ethics places people at the centre of its model and rather than ask what the law says, it asks how people can be helped. Thus it’s concerned with Jesus’ law of love.

Question 26

Quote - Catechism quote premarital sex

Answer 26

“Those who are engaged to marry are called to live chastity in continence.” (Catechism: 2350)

Question 27

Quote - Catholic stance on extramarital sex

Answer 27

“It is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality” (Catechism 2353)

Question 28

Uniting Church’s stance on premarital sex

Answer 28

• The Uniting Church understands that many will decided to engage in premarital sex. The Church believes due to the modern age bringing effective contraception, the decision to engage in premarital sex is not as binding as before and should be left to an individuals own interpretation.

Question 29

Outline the Bible as a source of ethical guidance

Answer 29

• It is the key source of ethics for all Christians, regardless of the variant. • It is understood that the Scriptures are the direct word of God, although interpreted through writers and translators of the Church. • Christians look to the words and teachings of Jesus to see how a morally perfect man dealt with the conflict and problems of life. • Christians ethics can not be fully understood without a consideration of Jewish ethics.

Question 30

Quote - Two Bible verses talking about premarital sex

Answer 30

• “But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (1 Cor 7:9 ) • “that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:29)