http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/08/world/asia/india-rapecase/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstori
+(RSS%3A+Top+Stories)
Topic 3: Religious views
on sexual behaviour
and human
relationships
Objective:
• Identify and describe different
religious and philosophical
approaches to issues of sexuality
and relationship
What do you think?
2. Any type of sexual behaviour is
acceptable as long as it is between
consenting adults.
3. Should religion have anything to do
with sexual behaviour?
4. Should sexual ethics be based on what
the majority of people in society think to
be true?
1.What is the difference between love and
sex, and when it comes to ethics are there
two separate sets of standards?
Christine Morgan
Motivational Mondays
It is so easy to get confused, to blur the lines, to use
sex in place of love, to fill a void to feel good about
myself.
But it usually doesn’t work out that way, So, I will
look for the fine line that separates love and sex.
I see that sex can be part of love, but they are not
the same and I will know the difference.
I am valuable for more than my body, for more than
how I make you feel and I am complete as I am.
Gareth More (1998)…
Sexual activity not about
reproduction was wrong…
He writes:
Masturbation, contraception,
bestiality and anal and oral sex
were all in a deep sense
contrary to the will of God.
In the west there is a wide
sense of discontentment with
traditional religious sexual
ethics.
Modern world attitudes to sex and relationships are changing. Sexual pleasure is often
seen as the ultimate goal by both male and female and is pursued mostly for its
immediate physical satisfaction rather than its unifying relational
qualities.
In turn this often creates an egotistical attitude where, with mutual consent, any
form of sex is morally right. Monogamy
and commitment are not required, indeed they
Almost as a paradox society today has a rising
are often shunned, along with religious
concern over sexual crimes, teenage
teaching and absolute moral ideals such as
pregnancy and the increase of STIs whilst
marriage and fidelity. The freedom of
contraception and abortions are free and
the individual is paramount.
confidential for children.
Parents demand to know
if known sex offenders are living in or near their community whilst dressing their
children in Playboy clothing, and so called ‘soft’ pornography becomes increasingly
acceptable.
Cohabiting and divorce rise in equal
measures as does the number of children
in single parent families.
Examiners tip
• When citing what a particular religion says
about the matter, always ground the view in
either scriptural text or teaching from a
religious institution.
Marriage and marriage ceremonies
The couple’s
relationship is
publicly witnessed
by the congregation
and marriage
register is signed.
Marriage is for life.
Marriage is a civil and religious
A sacrament is a religious
ritual by which Christians can
know God better.
commitment for Christians. It is
considered a sacrament in which a
baptised man and woman vow to
belong to each other in a permanent,
People should have
only one wife or
husband
(monogamy) Sex
outside marriage
(adultery) is against
the 7th of the Ten
Commandments.
exclusive, sexual partnership of loving,
mutual care, concern and shared
responsibility in the hope of having
children and bringing up a family.
Love and Sex are important
parts of the partnership.
Marriage unites two
Christian people
before God.
Wife and husband help
and support one
another.
The couple are expected to
have children.
Family life is a basis for society.
Extra lesson/homework
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of
these views? (your opinion - why)
• Try and identify conflicting attitudes towards sex
and relationships (Bowie)
• E.g. St Paul and women
• Views about sex – Song of Songs
• Also bring to lesson three ‘new’ words…