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Sexual Norms
and
Practices
Judaism
Islam
Christianity
Michael Cassolato
J.P. Goethals
Connor Kinzer
Peter Vaughan
Preface
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Fundamental Views on Sex according to the HB, NT and Qu’ran
Appropriate Sexual Practices
Sexual Sin
Scriptural References
Worksheet Questions
Overall Summaries
Class Game
Definitions
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Fornication - voluntary sexual intercourse between persons not married
to each other
Adultery - voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and
someone other than his or her lawful spouse.
Prostitution - the act or practice of engaging in sexual intercourse for
money or some type of value
Pre-Marital Sex – Engaging in sexual activity with a partner who one
is unmarried to.
Extra-Marital Sex - Extramarital sex occurs when a married person
engages in sexual activity with someone other than their marriage
partner. It is similar to adultery. This does not include fornication,
which is sexual intercourse between non-married people, or a married
man and a non-married woman.
Definitions cont.
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Homosexuality - sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction
between individuals of the same gender.
Procreation - The process by which an organism produces others of its
kind; reproduction.
Incest - Sexual relations between persons who are so closely related
that their marriage is illegal or forbidden by custom or by law.
Lust - To have an intense or obsessive desire, especially one that is
sexual.
Polygamy – Form of marriage in which a person has more than one
spouse.
Mitzvah- Fulfilling one of the commandments.
Gender- Referring to either a male or a female.
Sex- The physical act of consummation (completion of a marriage by
an act of sexual intercourse between the spouses).
Contraception- The act of sex without the intention of not
impregnating the woman.
Fundamental View on Sex
Judaism
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God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him;
male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying to them:
“Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:2728)
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Use sex to reproduce; God wants spouses to have sex with one another
and have children.
Fundamental View on Sex
Christianity
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“…every man should have his own wife, and every woman her own
husband. The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife, and
likewise the wife toward her husband. A wife does not have authority
over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband
does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife. Do not
deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time…” (1
Corinthians 7:2-5)
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Similar belief to Judaism; sex should be between a husband and his
wife for procreation. Also, spouses should not deter from their
physical relationship.
Fundamental View on Sex
Islam
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“The believers must win through- those who humble themselves in
their prayers; who avoid vain talk; who are active in deeds of charity;
who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage
bond…” (Surah 23: 1-6)
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Similar belief to Judaism and Christianity: sex should only occur
between a married couple.
“Appropriate” Sexual Practices
Judaism
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Spouses are encouraged to express their physical love for each other.
(Proverbs 5:15-21)
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Kosher Sex- Judaism does not view sex as dirty or evil, it is a mitzvah
if it is done with love within a marriage, and at the proper time.
(www.jewfaq.org/sex.htm)
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Orthodox churches have the strictest definition of appropriate sex
(“Religion and Sexuality”).
“Appropriate” Sexual Practices
Christianity
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A husband and wife should share the same bed and not keep
themselves from one another (1 Corinthians 7:1-5).
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Sex was created by God for both procreation and intimacy; it is used to
bond a man and woman in marriage (“Religion and Sexuality”) .
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Orthodox churches still believe contraception is a sin (“Religion and
Sexuality”).
“Appropriate” Sexual Practices
Islam
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Sex is considered a pleasurable and spiritual activity that is actually
thought of as a duty (“Religion and Sexuality”).
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Sex between a married couple is considered a good deed that is
rewarded by God (“Religion and Sexuality”).
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Story of Zakariya (Surah 19:1-15).
Sexual Sins
Judaism
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Can not have sex with a woman while she is unclean from
menstruation
No adultery
No incest
No pre-marital sex
No interspecies sexual intercourse
No homosexuality
Leviticus 18:19-23
Sexual Sins
Christianity
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One should not prostitute themselves nor should one join in a prostitute
(1 Corinthians 6)
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Avoid all sexual temptations; it is better to marry than to be filled with
temptation (1 Corinthians 7:8-9)
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Lusting after a person is the same as committing adultery (Matthew
5:27-8)
Sexual Sins
Islam
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All pre-marital sex is punishable sin, but not as bad as committing
adultery (“Religion and Sexuality”).
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Incest is prohibited by the Qur’an (Surah 4:23).
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Sexual contact is strictly forbidden while a woman is menstruating or
“unclean” (Surah 2:222)
Scripture References
Judaism
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Story of King David and his relations with Bathsheba (1 Samuel 1112)
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King David’s sin and repentance
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David’s punishment- his illegitimate child dies after 7 days
Scripture References
Christianity
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Woman caught in adultery (John 8)
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Jesus’ word vs. Moses’ word
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Forgiveness of the woman for her adultery
Scripture References
Islam
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Surah 4:3 it states that up to four wives is acceptable if one can support
such a family. Therefore, it is implied that sex with multiple partners
could in some cases be okay.
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This does not change the fact that adultery is still considered a capital
sin.
Worksheet Questions
1. Based on the readings from the HB, what are some of the punishments
for sexual sin described?
2. Based on the readings from the NT, in what ways and circumstances is
sex encouraged? In what situations and for what reasons is it
discouraged? Explain your answers, with specific biblical references.
3. In the reading selections from the Qur’an, sex is described as a gift
from Allah to be used in a special way. How is sex used so as to not
violate these words of the Qur’an?
Overall View
Judaism
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Procreation is the primary purpose of sex between a husband and wife.
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Kosher sex is encouraged; sex at the proper time as a bonding
experience between spouses.
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Sexual sin (adultery, incest, pre-marital, etc.) has extreme punishment
but God is still forgiving of those who confess before him.
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Orthodox churches have the strictest views; Reform churches have the
loosest views.
Overall View
Christianity
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Sex is used for intimacy and procreation between a husband and wife.
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A husband and wife should not keep themselves from one another.
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Do not have pre-marital sex or commit any other form of sexual sin
(incest, extra-marital, prostitution, etc.).
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Orthodox churches have the strictest views; Reform churches have the
loosest views.
Overall View
Islam
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Sex is a gift from God and should only be used in the manner he
described.
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The gift of sex is for a man and woman to enjoy after they have
committed to each other through marriage.
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Be patient and remain pure; God is aware of the sexual needs we have.
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Avoid sexual sin (incest, pre-marital sex, adultery, etc.)
It’s Game
Time!