Sexual Ethics

• What must students evaluate in sexual ethics?

  Christian views versus secular views
• What does the debate between private and public refer to in sexual ethics?

  It refers to liberalism versus conservative authoritarianism
• Which ethical theories can be applied to sexual ethics?

  Any of the four normative ethical theories
• What issues are included in the study of sexual ethics?

  Homosexuality, pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex
• What are the three main Christian approaches to sexual ethics?

  • Conservative Christianity: Biblical teachings & traditional theologians
  • Natural moral law: Typically a conservative Catholic view
  • Liberal Christianity: Bible is not the literal word of God
• What do conservative secularists believe about sexual ethics?

  Traditions regarding sexual ethics are useful
• How do liberal secularists view traditions regarding sexual ethics?

  They are increasingly outdated and harmful
• What does St. Augustine associate with sexual desire?

  Original sin and shame
• What does Augustine claim about shame and sexual desire?

  It is just due to our fallen state
• How does Augustine connect sex and shame across cultures?

  People cover their genitals due to shame
• What do traditional conservative approaches to Christian ethics regard the Bible as?

  The perfect word of God
• What does the Bible condemn regarding sexual ethics?

  All sex outside of heterosexual marriage
• What does St. Paul condemn in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy?

  Sodomites as unrighteous and sinners
• What does Romans 1:26-27 describe regarding sexual relations?

  Men abandoning natural relations for unnatural ones
• What does Leviticus 20:13 state about homosexual acts?

  They are an abomination punishable by death
• What does Jesus claim about marriage in Matthew 19:4-6?

  It is between a man and a woman
• What does the Bible suggest about sexual temptation?

  Humans are born with original sin causing it
• What does 1 Thessalonians 4 advise regarding sexual control?

  Control your body as something holy
• How does Galatians 5 describe sexual immorality?

  As the works of the flesh
• What commandment addresses adultery?

  Thou shalt not commit adultery
• What does 1 Corinthians 7 say about sexual immorality?

  People should marry to avoid temptation
• What does Jesus say about lustful thoughts in Matthew 5:28?

  They are equivalent to committing adultery
• How do liberal Christians view the Bible?

  • Not the perfect word of God
  • Product of human interpretation
  • Requires continual re-interpretation
• What do liberal Christians argue about passages reflecting cultural norms?

  They can be ignored as outdated
• What do liberal Christians tend to accept regarding homosexuality?

  They accept gay marriage
• What crisis do liberal views of inspiration create?

  Difficulty in granting authority to the Bible
• How do traditional Christians criticize liberal Christianity?

  It allows too much personal interpretation
• What was Freud's view on traditional Christian attitudes towards sex?

  They led to shame and mental illness
• How does the liberal secular attitude towards sex differ from traditional views?

  It sees sex as a natural biological desire
• What does Augustine's view on lust suggest about human nature?

  It is a result of evolution, not original sin
• What do traditionalists fear about sexual liberalization?

  It will harm social order
• What do Catholics argue about human life and sexual ethics?

  It should be lived according to God's design
• How does hook-up culture affect young people according to Christians?

  It harms psychological well-being
• What does Bishop Barron argue about secular culture's attitude towards sex?

  It lacks moral and ethical context
• What does Stephen Fry suggest about the Church's attitude towards sex?

  It causes unhealthy sexual repression
• How does Fry relate repression to the Church's leadership?

  It leads to sexual perversion among priests
• What does Fry argue about secular attitudes towards sex?

  They are healthier than religious attitudes
• What does the debate about human nature suggest regarding sexual control?

  It may need restrictions to prevent selfishness
• What does situation ethics propose regarding actions?

  • An action is good if it leads to the most loving outcome
  • Depends on the situation
  • Consent and happiness are key factors
• How does Fletcher illustrate the concept of situation ethics with adultery?

  Through a mother seeking release from captivity