Human Sexuality (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Sexual Relationships

Human Sexuality

• Human sexuality refers to how people express themselves as sexual beings

• People start to have sexual feelings at puberty. It is a natural part of human biology which often leads to intercourse with the opposite sex and reproduction (having children)

  • A heterosexual relationship is one with a member of the opposite sex, between a man and a woman

  • A homosexual relationship is one between members of the same sex, between a man and a man or a woman and a woman

Contemporary British Attitudes Towards Sexual Relationships

• In the past, the Christian Church was more powerful and their attitudes towards human sexuality were accepted by more people in society

• Attitudes have changed a lot over the last 50 years and today sex before marriage, promiscuity, homosexuality and having children outside of marriage are widely accepted

• The UK law has changed to reflect these changing views

  • The age of consent when someone is legally old enough to freely agree to have sex is 16

  • The law tries to protect anyone under 16 from exploitation and abuse

  • Homosexual relationships are legal and can be recognised with civil partnerships or marriages

• Films, TV, books and magazines reflect the idea that sex before marriage is commonplace

• Sometimes young people can feel under pressure to have sex before marriage

Christianity & Sexual Relationships

Christianity and Heterosexual Relationships

• The Bible teaches that heterosexual relationships are part of God’s plan for humans

• The traditional Christian view is that marriage is the only valid place for heterosexual relationships

  • The belief is that sex expresses a loving and life-long union that requires the commitment of marriage

•  Not all Christians have the same view on sex before marriage, but all Christians believe in being faithful to one single partner

Christianity and Sexual Relationships Before Marriage

•  Sex is an important expression of the loving relationship that happens within a marriage

• The Catholic and Anglican Churches teach that sex before marriage is wrong

  • People should remain sexually pure, or chaste, before marriage

• Some more liberal Christians think that sex before marriage can be a valid expression of love, as long as the couple are fully committed to each other for life or intend to get married

• Christians are taught that sex should not be casual or taken lightly, as this devalues the God-given gift of sexuality

  • It is wrong to use people for sex or to use sex just for temporary pleasure

  • St Paul taught that Christians ought to respect and value their own bodies as a gift from God, and use them responsibly

Christianity and Sexual Relationships Outside Marriage

•  Sexual relationships outside marriage refers to sex between two people where at least one is married to someone else

  • This is called adultery or having an affair

• Christians see adultery as wrong

  • It is forbidden in the Ten Commandments

• It breaks the marriage vows they have made before God to be faithful to each other for life

• It involves lies, secrecy, and betrayal of trust

• If the couple have children, adultery can threaten the stability of the family home

• Jesus taught that lust, which could lead to adultery, is wrong

•  Although Jesus forgave a women who had been caught committing adultery, he ordered her to leave her life of sin behind (John 8:1-11)

Christianity and Homosexual Relationships

• Some Christians oppose homosexual relationships because of the Bible teaching in Leviticus in the Old Testament

•  St Paul in the New Testament warned that the sexually immoral, including ‘men who have sex with men’, will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

• The Catholic Church teaches that although it is not a sin to be homosexual:

  • Homosexual acts are against natural law and will not result in reproduction

  • People who are homosexual should avoid sexual activity, as this is sinful, and should remain celibate

•  The Church of England is split on the topic of homosexuality.

  • Most Anglicans accept homosexuals living in committed relationships

  • But same-sex marriage in church is not allowed

• Some more liberal Christians see loving, faithful, committed homosexual relationships as being equally full of self-giving love and faithfulness as heterosexual relationships

• The Methodist Church and United Reform Church in England will conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies

• Quakers take the view

Islam & Sexual Relationships

Islam and Heterosexual Relationships

• Islam teaches that heterosexual relationships are the normal pattern of behaviour

• The only acceptable form of sexual relationship in Islam is within marriage between a husband and wife.

  • Marriage is considered a blessing from God

• There is not a specific age of consent

  • However, Muslims are expected to marry and have a family

Islam and Sexual Relationships Before Marriage

• Muslims believe that sex is a gift from God that should be expressed through marriage

• The Qur’an forbids sex before marriage

• In Islamic law (Shari’ah) sex before marriage is considered a serious sin, a sexual offence (zinah), like adultery or rape

Islam and Sexual Relationships Outside Marriage

• Islam teaches that a married couple should be faithful

• Adultery and sex outside of marriage are considered serious sins

  • Adultery destroys a marriage because it breaks trust

  • It goes against the promises a couple makes at their wedding

• The Qur’an expressly forbids adultery

•  Married couples should not have to go outside of each other for fulfilment

• Muslims should avoid any situations that could lead to sexual sins

Islam and Homosexual Relationships

• Most Muslims believe that the Qur’an and Hadith teaches that homosexuality is against God’s will and is therefore forbidden

•  Many Muslims see homosexual relationships as against the natural law, because these cannot produce children, and therefore against God’s will

• Some Muslims, like some Christians, accept homosexual relationships that are committed and loving