Christianity & Sexual Relationships (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)
Revision Note
Written by: Glenn Millington
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Christian Teachings on the Nature & Importance of Sexual Relationships
Christianity and Sexual Relationships
Christians believe that sex is a gift from God and therefore intended for procreation
It is important for many Christians that sex takes place within a marriage
Christians believe that sex is an important way for a man and woman to show commitment to each other
This influences the views of some Christians on issues such as sex outside of marriage. This is supported by one of the Ten Commandments in Exodus:
‘You shall not commit adultery’ (Exodus 20:14)
Christians believe this commandment shows that God wants people to exercise sexual fidelity within marriage and chastity before marriage
The Bible and Sexual Relationships
The starting point for a Christian understanding of human sexuality is the belief that all humans are made in the image of God
‘God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female He created them’ (Genesis 1:27)
The first book of the bible, Genesis, explains how males and females are intimately linked to each other
‘Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:21-24)
This suggests to Christians that men and women need to unite to become complete
Christians believe that they have a responsibility for what they do with their body and how they treat it. St. Paul reminds Christians that:
‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body’ (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
The teaching has a strong implication for a Christian's view on sexuality
Christians believe that they can honour God in the way in which they treat their bodies
‘Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body’ (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
Therefore, respecting your own bodies and the bodies of others by only having sex within committed relationships and for the purpose of procreation is extremely important
Alternative Christian views on Sexual Relationships
Some Christians believe that in modern times, some traditional views about sexual relationships are outdated
They believe that love should be celebrated in all forms and that sex should form part of every normal loving relationship
Some Christians would therefore believe that it is fine for non-married couples who are cohabiting to have sexual relationships
They may also believe that this applies to homosexual couples who are in a stable relationship
Some Christians would interpret biblical texts to reflect these beliefs. For example, 1 Corinthians 6: 1-20 could be interpreted as not to abuse sexual relationships or that sexual relationships are a way of honouring the body with sex being a gift from God
Christian Attitudes Towards Homosexuality
Alternative Christian Attitudes to Homosexuality
There are great divisions within the Christian community on this issue, with the Roman Catholic Church and some sections of the evangelical churches holding very similar views
There are many arguments for and against homosexuality from within Christianity
Arguments in support of homosexuality | Arguments against homosexuality |
|---|---|
Simply because a sexual union cannot result in children, it is not right to forbid any action that is a physical expression of genuine love | God made male and female according to the Book of Genesis to complete each other and to procreate. Even if the couple are unable to have children, the sexual union is theoretically open to the production of children |
Homosexuals are simply following their natural instincts. This is how God created them, so they should not be condemned. There is evidence of homosexual activity throughout the animal kingdom | The natural order represented in nature is for male and female to unite |
There are many laws in the Bible that would not be accepted now because the nature of society has changed, eg capital punishment and slavery. We should not be restricted by ancient standards | Homosexual practice is forbidden in the book of Leviticus, ‘If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death’ (Leviticus 20:13) |
Some people believe that Saint Paul's comments were about male prostitutes, not homosexuality in general | In some of Saint Paul's letters included in the Bible, he condemns homosexuality as “unrighteous” and claims that men who practise homosexuality will not inherit the Kingdom of God |
Christian Practice Towards Homosexuality
Most Christian churches hold the position that you should love the sinner, but hate the sin
This is generally interpreted to mean that Christians should show love and compassion to homosexuals, but that homosexuals should not engage in sexual activity
This is because most churches teach that sex should only happen within marriage between a man and a woman
The bible states that God’s intention is for humans to multiply and this is not possible within a homosexual relationship
‘Go forth and multiply’ (Genesis 1:28)
There are sections of the bible which seem to indicate that homosexuality is wrong
‘No man is to have sexual relations with another man; God hates that’ (Leviticus 18:22, Old Testament)
There are even sections of the bible which indicate that homosexuality is such a sin that it should be punishable by death
‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman...those that do shall be put to death’ (Leviticus 20:13)
The Roman Catholic Church states:
‘This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided ... Homosexual people are called to chastity’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1992)
The Quaker view on homosexuality is more accepting
They would believe that providing it is a loving relationship then it should not matter what the gender of the individuals is
‘Where there is a genuine tenderness, an openness to responsibility, and the seed of commitment, God is surely not shut out. Can we not say that God can enter any relationship in which there is a measure of selfless love? ... To reject people on the grounds of their sexual behaviour is a denial of God's creation’ (Towards a Quaker View of Sex, 1963)
Quakers and other Christians might look to the New Testament rather than the Old Testament to inform their views about homosexuality
Jesus taught everyone to ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’ meaning that we should love everyone
Jesus did not condemn homosexuality, in fact, Jesus spent time with lots of people who might have been seen as outsiders or different from the norm
Most Christians will take a position somewhere between these two views
Some churches offer support to homosexuals in leading a chaste life, while others readily accept openly homosexual people in positions of authority
However, few Christian groups will give a definitive statement on the issue as it would cause divisions within the community
Christian Attitudes Towards Sexual Relationships Outside Marriage
Christian Attitudes Towards Sex Outside of Marriage
Sex outside of marriage can refer to both pre-marital sex and adultery
Many Christians believe that sexual activity needs to be controlled and reserved for two people within the context of marriage
Some denominations, such as Roman Catholic do not believe sex before marriage is acceptable
Sex is seen as a gift from God and it is therefore sacred and holy
The Bible says that fornication is sinful and Christians should follow the teachings of the Bible
The Catechism teaches that premarital sex is wrong and Catholics are encouraged to follow the teachings of the Church
All Christians are against adultery because it breaks the wedding vows to be faithful to each other
It also goes against one of the Ten Commandments, which all Christians should follow
Adultery is condemned by Jesus in the Gospels and all Christians follow His teachings
All Christian denominations would be against casual sex (sleeping around) as this is an abuse of God’s gift
Some Christian groups believe sex is acceptable before marriage if the couple are in love and in a permanent relationship
Some Christians accept that some couples may live together before getting married and therefore have premarital sex
Liberal protestants in particular do not regard sex before marriage as sinful (as long as they are in a committed relationship), although they would expect couples to marry before starting a family
For some Christians, God has given sex as a gift to humans and so sexual relationships are fine as long as they are consensual and part of a loving, committed relationship
Worked Example
Explain two Christian teachings from the bible about the nature of sexual relationships
(4 marks)
Answer:
One of the Ten Commandments in the bible states, ‘Do not commit adultery’ and so Christians would remain faithful to their husband or wife (2 marks)
The bible states that mankind should ‘go forth and multiply’ meaning that the main purpose of sex should be for procreation (2 marks)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that ‘sex outside of marriage’ can mean both ‘sex before marriage’ (premarital sex) or adultery (sex with someone who is nor your husband or wife whilst being married) so try and refer to both of these things in any response to questions relating to ‘sex outside of marriage’
Christian views about both of these things can be different. Some Christians are against sex before marriage but all Christians are against adultery
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