Sexual Ethics

1. Sexual Ethics • TASKS: 1. What issues can you think of to do with sexual ethics? Write as many of these down as you can • 2. Now highlight as many of these that are still MAJOR issues today • 3. Can you divide sexuality / sexual acts into those that are legal and illegal?

2. Sexual Ethics LEGAL ILLEGAL Having sex in public Indecent exposure (the must be intent) Marriage to more than one person (polygamy) Sex under the age of 16 (specific laws protect under 13s) Sex without consent (rape) Kerb Crawling • Having sex in private • Having sex with many people or partners • Adultery • Homosexuality • Prostitution • Paying for sex • Most forms of pornography

3. H. L. Hart (1907 – 1992) • Draws a boundary between public and private sexual acts – separating the acceptable and unacceptable Sexual intercourse between husband and wife is not immoral, but if it takes place in public it is an affront to human decency’ On the other hand, he suggests that no private sexual act could harm anyone ‘apart from a few neurotic persons who are literally “made ill” by it’ Do you agree? What might be unacceptable?

4. BIBLE QUOTES Christianity • The Biblical emphasis is on man and woman expressing their sexuality within a marriage union • The ‘one flesh’ principle suggests that a sexual relationship is assumed to be an integral part of marriage • In principle, all other sexual relationships are seen as wrong and undermine the trust and protection offered by Christian marriage

5. Christian Churches • These largely follow the view that sex should be confined to marriage • HOWEVER, many religious believers say this is too legalistic – Sex should be seen in the context of loving • Absolute Vs Relative ? Think about the pros and cons ‘The sexual act must take place exclusively within marriage. Outside marriage it always constitutes a grave sin’Catechism of the RC Church

6. Natural Law • Natural Law suggests that every aspect of creation is designed to work in particular ways • To follow these ‘laws of nature’ will lead to happiness • Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica II) applied this to sexual ethics, arguing that the natural purpose of sexual organs was to reproduce – Therefore any sexual act that goes against their true and natural use is seen as a perversion and a sin

7. Divine Command Theory • This approach to sexual ethics looks to discover the revealed will of God on ethical issues – this has absolute authority • Where is this authority found?

8. The Scriptures! Religions of the Book LEGALISTIC!!

9. Opponents of this fundamentalism point to the examples of Jesus and Paul alike refusing to accept laws as the entire word of God. • E.g. Jesus challenged Sabbath laws and the stoning of an adulterous woman

10. Situation Ethics This approach has led to fairly widespread acceptance by more liberal Christians and Jews of non-marital sex and homosexuality between fully committed couples – Provided love is served! Asks...What is the most loving thing to do?

11. Situation Ethics and Divorce • In Honest to God, (1963) Robinson questions the conservative view that marriage created a supernatural bond, impossible to break • The Church of England responded in 1966 in a report Sex and Morality, which focused on the dangers and sins of family break up and the need for loving marriages and secure homes for children • Divorce is no longer such a big issue, but the same ideas can be applied to other areas of sexual ethics

12. 2 Opposing Views Conservative Views LibertarianViews These suggest that consenting adults can do as they please, providing no harm (as recognised by everyone as such) is caused. J. S. Mills famous work ‘On Liberty’ plays an important role here • These tend to be paternalistic, meaning those who believe they have moral insight feel they have a duty to interfere with the actions of others for their own good