Sexual Ethics LO: What are the different religious attitudes towards sex and human relationships?

1. Sexual EthicsLO: What are the different religious attitudes towards sex and human relationships?

2. Topics we are going to cover • The purpose of human sexuality • Relationships between the sexes • Homosexuality and heterosexuality • Changing patterns of relationships between the sexes

3. What is the purpose of sex? Come up with as many examples as possible, and refer to religious views where you can.

4. A point of discussion… Pope Benedict XVI “In the face of widespread confusion in the sphere of affectivity, and the rise of ways of thinking which trivialize the human body and sexual differentiation, the word of God re-affirms the original goodness of the human being, created as man and woman called to a love which is faithful, reciprocal and fruitful.” • The Catechism (teachings of the Catholic Church) states that sexual activity should occur within a marriage for the purpose of procreation, and for this purpose alone. Therefore, sex outside marriage is a sin. • What do you think?

5. Heterosexuality:relationships between men and women • Key questions: • Are relationships between men and women important for society? • Is heterosexuality ‘natural’? Why? Where is the evidence? • Is heterosexuality something that ought to be restricted/restrained? Why?

6. Christianity • Heterosexual relationships are good and God given in that men and women were created to procreate. • Genesis 1:28 - be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth… • Catholics and other conservative Christians argue that this is natural and in accordance with natural law.

7. Catholic Church and Natural Law • The purpose of sex is to procreate within a loving marriage • Natural law is universal and unchanging • Natural law is deontological – it looks at the actions themselves rather than the consequences. • The action of sex outside marriage or sexual activity that does not have the primary aim of procreation therefore breaks this law and is a mortal sin.

8. Liberal Protestants • There are many Christians who use contraception and do not believe procreation is the sole purpose of sex. • However, promiscuity is not encouraged in any denominations of Christianity and therefore sex outside marriage is normally discouraged.

9. Islam • Human beings are naturally heterosexual. • The union between a man and a woman is a gift from Allah and therefore sex should take place only within marriage. • The purpose of sex is not only procreation, but also fulfilling emotional and physical needs. • Husband and wife have the duty to meet one another’s needs.

10. If heterosexuality is natural… …what is the implication there for homosexuality?

11. Homosexuality – nature or nurture?

12. Prep • Buddhism: Research the Five Precepts and the paramitas. • Explain how these teachings will affect Buddhist attitudes towards human relationships.

13. Bible passages • Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. (Leviticus 18:22) • If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. (Leviticus 20:13)

14. The Qur’an is very clear on prohibiting homosexuality • Have a look at these quotes and explain in your own words Quranic teachings on homosexuality. http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Qur'an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Homosexuality

15. Hinduism • Homosexuality was only legalised in 2009 in India • Sexuality is a taboo subject, rarely discussed in Indian culture. NB there is a difference between taboo and evil/wrong. This is a key difference between Hinduism and the monotheistic religions. • Hindus still disagree on whether or not homosexuality is permissible. • There are no Hindu texts that preach against homosexuality and there are ancient texts and art with homosexual overtones and that depict homosexual activity. • Eunuchs exist in India, people who are neither male nor female. They are male transvestites or transsexual (they may have had an operation). • This third gender is recognised in India.

16. Hinduism and sexuality • Read the following articles • http://www.galva108.org/hinduism.html • http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/jul/02/gay-rights-india • http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/ColumnsOthers/Hinduism-and-gays-Acceptance-yes-Approval-no/Article1-428370.aspx • Watch this clip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62decf-bLMw • Bullet point main points concerning Hindu attitudes towards homosexuality and heterosexuality and prepare to explain to the rest of the group.

17. Think… • Why might sexual desire be discouraged in Hindu and Buddhist teachings?

18. Further… • Within Indian culture a girl’s virginity needs to be preserved for marriageable status. • Therefore promiscuity outside marriage is discouraged.

19. Out of interest… Eunuchs are common in India. They are known as Hijrahs (Hindi term meaning Eunuch.

21. Outline different religious views on relationships. You must refer to both heterosexuality and homosexuality.