2.2 - sexual relationships

• pre-marital sex


  sexual activity before marriage

  most christians opposed to it (condemned by bible, catechism)
• adultry (extra-marital sex)


  a sexual act between a married person and someone other than their marriage partner

  all christians are against it (breaks wedding vows, condemned by jesus, 10 commandments)
• humanist/athiest attitudes

  • accept sex before marriage
  • accept cohabitation
  • sex should be a choice of the people involved (consensual)
  • sex should be with people 'of age' and people shouldn't cheat on their partner
• catholic attitudes to homosexuality

  • being homosexual isn't a sin (people cannot help sexual orientation but can control sexual actvity)
  • homosexual sexual relationships are a sin (condemned in bible, sex is for creative, unitive purposes)
  • sinful to harass homosexuals or attack their behaviour (homophobic)
  • dont accept same-sex marriage, but less opposed to civil partnerships (marriage is for man and woman)
• evangelical attitude to homosexuality

  • homosexuality is a sin (condemned in bible)
  • dont accept same-sex marriage
  • power of spirit can help change sexual orientation (salvation of christ can remove all sins)
• liberals attitude to homosexuality

  • lifelong homosexual relationships are acceptable
  • allow homosexual ministers/priests
  • provide blessings for civil partnerships but not same-sex marriage as it cannot be equated for a christian marriage

  this is because:

  • bible needs to be changed to fit modern society
  • major christian belief is love and acceptance
  • christians should be open and honest
  • scienctific research shows that homosexuality can be caused by biological factors
• humanist/athiest attitudes to homosexuality

  • no problem with homosexual sexual relationships
  • people's sexuality is their own choice
  • christian arguments against homosexuality is based on religious views (bible)