Examine the Way in Which One Religion Uses Scripture as a Basis for Its Teachings on Sexual Behaviour

Sexual Ethics are integral to Judaism because they provided direct guidance on how to behave morally and in accordance with the Torah and God. Although, over many years Jews were suffering from persecution, they are currently showing stability which can be attributed to the framework that is outlined through the strong ethics that they uphold. Sexual ethics provide guidance on how to behave morally, righteously and in accordance to the Torah as well as preventing promiscuity, infidelity, immorality and sexual acts which hinder the constancy of Judaism. The teachings on Adultery,

To start with, let's take a type of religion, christianity, and the United States’s society and see how their views of sex are. Since the christian religion is large , I will narrow it down to my christianity, Baptist, in order to avoid conflict with other christian

Sexual relations are a powerful and essential part of God’s intentions for defining humanity. God intended sexual relationships to be ideal for His creation. Therefore, Paul emphasizes the destruction sin distorts from the illegitimate use of the gifts from God. “Even their women exchanged natural sexual relation for unnatural ones…men also abandoned natural relations with women with lust for one another…men committed shameful acts with other men…” (Romans 1:26-27). They are of such importance that the Bible gives them special attention and counsels more restraint and self-control than with any other desire. Paul indicates one of clearest ways of society or a person in rebellion against God is the rejection of God’s guidelines for the use of sex. In Paul’s day, many pagan practices encouraged homosexuality, “men committed shameful acts with other men,” (Romans 3:27). Homosexuality is strictly forbidden in God’s Word (Leviticus 18:22). God does not obligate or encourage the degradation of this act in humanities relationships. Paul even states that the people were aware of their wrongdoings. “Although they know God’s righteous decree…they not only continue to do these very things but

of the church taught that sexual relations should be avoided if possible and indulged in

This is where the tension lies. The underlying question is who decides what is right and wrong? Do humans or does God? As a Christian I believe God decides and has revealed his design for humans from beginning to end in the Bible. Of course there were things God said to people in the Bible days that were specifically relating to their context. God also revealed many universal principals for all humans to follow and obey. A part of this study is to look at what God has said about sex, sexuality and relationships that was universal not contextual.

Most religions of the world address moral issues that arise from people's sexuality within the human interactions. “Sex and religion- two of the most powerful, passionate, and poetic aspects of human existence”( “Manning and Zuckerman pg. 1“). There are many distinct religious beliefs about the complexion of sexuality and the appropriateness of various sexual behaviors. “Some religious (or aspects within them) can be described as comparatively “sex positive”. By “sex positive“, we mean that sensual, erotic activity involving the consensual pursuit and / or actualization of gratifying bodily pleasure is understood as natural and acceptable , even holy. Conversely, some religions (or aspects within them) can be described as “sex

Their chapter on Homosexuality has been referred to this author numerous times, and has been read nearly as many times, with personal responses varying wildly between readings. What is most interesting, reflecting on Brueggemann as discussed above, is Hays’ conviction for calling the Christian community to a holiness that would be inoperable in the modern era outside of the closed community of a Biblically functioning Church. Furthermore, the manner in which Hays uses the story of their friend Gary to emotionally leverage the reader is sickening. Regardless of Gary’s convictions about sexuality, the man’s story is undeniably more complex, and marked with mental health difficulties beyond the comprehension of Hays, a self-identified heterosexual man. Depending heavily on Romans 1:18-32 , Hays’ argument relies on reinforcing the normative state, ie Adam & Eve were created by God as (apparently) robust heterosexuals, therefore so are we . Despite what the sciences of genetic divergence would say to refute this foundation, Hays charges on with fervent moral integrity. Hays’ argument gets shaky because of their obsession with the sexual conduct, stating that engaging in same-sexual activity defiles the Body of Christ. Hays sees sexuality as a central concern for Christians in the modern era, stating that “sexual gratification is not a sacred right, and celibacy is not a

By analyzing what ancient rabbinic and early Christian texts depict about what it means for one to encompass in spiritual embodiment and purity, the asymmetry seen between men and women is depicted as men have a higher status compared to women. By taking in account the cultural norms seen within the ancient rabbinic and early Christian text, the perspectives on male homoeroticism by rabbis and virginity for Christian women are seen in contrast with each other. It is revealed within these texts that a woman renouncing sex and becoming more “manly” is more acceptable compared to the tension that arises with homoeroticism among men, who are portrayed becoming like a woman. This reoccurring idea that womanhood in these cultures and societies are deemed in a negative and inferior compared to manhood, which is

Intercourse is designed for a mature man and woman who love each other as 1 Corinthians 7 reads, “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (English Standard Version, 1 Corinthians 7: 1-5.). The bible also says, “Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the

When asked about marriage, Jesus issued a sweeping condemnation of all sexual relationships outside of the male/female

A Christin viewpoint of ethical sexual expression is essential in human beings. It involves all thinking, feeling, acting and interacting that is the result from our males and females that develop human relationships in ways that are basic to God's own nature (Gen. 1:27). Furthermore, it offers human beings partnership with God in holy creation and re-creation (Gen. 1:28) In their enjoyment of these privileges associated with sexuality, God's people are to be responsible. The church identifies love and promise as two procedures for sexual responsibility.

The Bible is specific about sexuality and the right and wrongful ways to practice sex. Leviticus lays out verse after verse for what is acceptable in the eyes of God and what should be punishable. In Leviticus 18:6-30, unlawful sexual relations are set out and given to the people. If one lays with any of the family’s relatives, lays with another man, lays with an animal, or anyone that they are not married to, they are wrongful. If a man or woman does have sexual relations with another with whom they are not married, they will not only have defiled themselves, but also the land. It says in verse twenty-eight that if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as the nations before you. Not only will they be vomited, but they must be cut off from their people.

Not to be repetitive; however, this issue is a “major” pivotal point regarding the sexual atmosphere during the time of Jesus due to the combination containing astronomical diversities and perversions; such as the false presumption of the gods and goddesses performing sacred sex. Conceivably, this problem alone would have cultivated enormous complications for Jesus’ sexual sensitive teachings. Feasibly, the only way Christ’s delicate knowledge could survive

10) and from church leaders who from the second century onwards degraded sex both marital and non-marital as “unclean and sinful” (Brundage, 1987, pg. 1) These idealistics derived partially from the birth and preachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the central figure of Christianity. The birth of Jesus was not a product of sexual intercourse. He was conceived in the womb of his mother Mary without the assistance of his human father, Joseph (Matthew 1:18, New International Version). Jesus did not magnify the idea that participating in sex was a sin or what sexual behaivour should resemble.

Biblical writing tends to have strict laws about sex and sexuality and how it was expressed and universally accepted. The Pauline Epistles, or Paul’s views, had unique views on sex because he completely distrusted gender as a whole and because he believed that there would be an apocalypse. Many of Paul’s ideas were widely accepted back than because they explained may things that people could not, for instance it explains homosexuality. Today, the laws are seen differently and in some cases interpreted much more literally than they were back then. It is likely that ideas have changed either because people have become more understanding and accepting of others or because we no longer view sex and sexuality as a thing to be ashamed of. This new age of interpretation is seen in the way homosexuality is accepted today, submission of the wife to the husband in some religious dominations, and the ideal of marriage and its sexual implications.