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…