Unit 1 - Christian responses to: Pre-marital sex, Celibacy, Contraception, Abstinence Flashcards
What is cohabitation?
A couple living together in a sexual relationship but aren’t married.
What do most Christians believe about pre-marital sex?
- It’s wrong
- A sexual relationship should only happen within marriage
What would a Liberal Christian believe about pre-marital sex?
In contemporary society, couples may live together and have sex as part of a committed relationship, even if they’re not married.
What do all Christians believe about casual sex?
- Casual sex is wrong
- Takes place outside of a loving relationship
- A one-night stand and fornication is wrong
- The Bible teaches that having sex with someone who you aren’t married to is sinful
What does the Catholic Church believe about sex?
- The body’s language
- Sex is a way in which the married couple communicate their absolute love to one another
- Every time sex happens there should be the possibility for a new life to be created
- Catholics believe that God gave humans the gift of sex to populate the Earth
- Sex outside marriage is wrong
What does the COE believe about sex?
- The COE teaches that the proper place in which sexual relationships should occur is within a marriage
- Sex is an act of love and commitment
- While the COE believes sex outside marriage is wrong, some accept that for many people cohabitation, including a sexual relationship, is a step towards the commitment of marriage
What is celibacy?
Abstaining from marriage and sexual relations.
Why would a Christian choose to be celibate?
- In order to focus solely on God
- Paul the apostle was celibate
- For example, a priest is better enabled to share the love of God with all, rather than being distracted by the love he would otherwise have for a wife and children.
Who’s required to be celibate in the Catholic Church?
- Priests
- Monks
- Nuns
What is contraception?
Contraception is sometimes known as ‘birth control’ and is used to help prevent pregnancy resulting from sex.
What are the two types of contraception?
- Artificial contraception
- Natural contraception
What is artificial contraception?
The use of a device such as a condom, an operation such as a vasectomy (male sterilisation), or a form of medication such as the mini pill, to try to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
What is natural contraception?
This type of contraception includes a couple choosing to have sex during the least fertile time in a woman’s menstrual cycle and the withdrawal method.
What is the withdrawal method?
When the man withdraws from the woman before he ejaculates, reducing the risk of pregnancy.
What does the Catholic Church believe about contraception?
- The use of artificial contraception is sinful
- This is because God gave sex to humans for reproduction
- It does accepts some forms of natural contraception
- This allows a couple some control over when they have children
