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Sexual Ethics
LO: What are the different religious
attitudes towards sex and human
relationships?
Topics we are going to cover
• The purpose of human sexuality
• Relationships between the sexes
– Homosexuality and heterosexuality
• Changing patterns of relationships between
the sexes
What is the purpose of sex?
Come up with as many examples as possible,
and refer to religious views where you can.
A point of discussion…
Pope Benedict XVI
“In the face of widespread confusion in the sphere of affectivity, and the rise
of ways of thinking which trivialize the human body and sexual
differentiation, the word of God re-affirms the original goodness of the
human being, created as man and woman called to a love which is faithful,
reciprocal and fruitful.”
• The Catechism (teachings of the Catholic Church) states
that sexual activity should occur within a marriage for
the purpose of procreation, and for this purpose alone.
Therefore, sex outside marriage is a sin.
• What do you think?
Heterosexuality:
relationships between
men and women
• Key questions:
– Are relationships between men and women
important for society?
– Is heterosexuality ‘natural’? Why? Where is the
evidence?
– Is heterosexuality something that ought to be
restricted/restrained? Why?
Christianity
• Heterosexual relationships are good and God
given in that men and women were created to
procreate.
• Genesis 1:28 - be fruitful and multiply and fill
the earth…
• Catholics and other conservative Christians
argue that this is natural and in accordance
with natural law.
Catholic Church and Natural Law
• The purpose of sex is to procreate within a loving
marriage
• Natural law is universal and unchanging
• Natural law is deontological – it looks at the
actions themselves rather than the
consequences.
• The action of sex outside marriage or sexual
activity that does not have the primary aim of
procreation therefore breaks this law and is a
mortal sin.
Liberal Protestants
• There are many Christians who use
contraception and do not believe procreation
is the sole purpose of sex.
• However, promiscuity is not encouraged in any
denominations of Christianity and therefore
sex outside marriage is normally discouraged.
Islam
• Human beings are naturally heterosexual.
• The union between a man and a woman is a
gift from Allah and therefore sex should take
place only within marriage.
• The purpose of sex is not only procreation, but
also fulfilling emotional and physical needs.
• Husband and wife have the duty to meet one
another’s needs.
If heterosexuality is natural…
…what is the implication there for
homosexuality?
Homosexuality – nature or nurture?
Prep
• Buddhism: Research the Five Precepts and the
paramitas.
• Explain how these teachings will affect
Buddhist attitudes towards human
relationships.
Bible passages
• Do not have sexual relations with a man as
one does with a woman; that is detestable.
(Leviticus 18:22)
• If a man has sexual relations with a man as
one does with a woman, both of them have
done what is detestable. They are to be put to
death; their blood will be on their own heads.
(Leviticus 20:13)
The Qur’an is very clear on prohibiting
homosexuality
• Have a look at these quotes and explain in
your own words Quranic teachings on
homosexuality.
http://wikiislam.net/
wiki/Qur'an,_Hadith
_and_Scholars:Hom
osexuality
Hinduism
• Homosexuality was only legalised in 2009 in India
• Sexuality is a taboo subject, rarely discussed in Indian culture.
NB there is a difference between taboo and evil/wrong. This
is a key difference between Hinduism and the monotheistic
religions.
• Hindus still disagree on whether or not homosexuality is
permissible.
• There are no Hindu texts that preach against homosexuality
and there are ancient texts and art with homosexual
overtones and that depict homosexual activity.
• Eunuchs exist in India, people who are neither male nor
female. They are male transvestites or transsexual (they may
have had an operation).
• This third gender is recognised in India.
Hinduism and sexuality
• Read the following articles
– http://www.galva108.org/hinduism.html
– http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/jul/02/gay-rights-india
– http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/ColumnsOthers/Hinduism-andgays-Acceptance-yes-Approval-no/Article1-428370.aspx
– Watch this clip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62decf-bLMw
• Bullet point main points concerning Hindu attitudes towards homosexuality and
heterosexuality and prepare to explain to the rest of the group.
Think…
• Why might sexual desire be discouraged in
Hindu and Buddhist teachings?
Further…
• Within Indian culture a girl’s virginity needs to
be preserved for marriageable status.
• Therefore promiscuity outside marriage is
discouraged.
Out of interest…
Eunuchs are common in India. They
are known as Hijrahs (Hindi term
meaning Eunuch.
Outline different religious views on
relationships.
You must refer to both heterosexuality
and homosexuality.