Table of ContentsChristian Views on Homosexuality and Premarital SexChristian Sexual Ethics: Views on Contraception and Contemporary IssuesConclusionReferencesEthics Can Be Defined such as explicit, philosophical and/or religious reflection on moral beliefs and practices. Ethics is the practical application of beliefs in which conduct is considered appropriate. More specifically, Christian sexual ethics are based on right relationships with God, with one's neighbor and with oneself. Sexual ethics can be derived from Christian scriptures, namely the Decalogue, the Beatitudes, the Commandment of Love, and Paul's letters to the Corinthians. The expression of sexuality is traditionally considered most sacred in appropriate circumstances, or within the context of a heterosexual, monogamous, exclusive marriage open to the possibility of procreation. However, with the role of conscience, sexual ethics now contribute to an era of individualism with regard to homosexuality, pre- and extramarital sex, and contraception. The analysis of sexual ethics in this essay is given through reflection of Scripture, adaptation to changing ethical standards and variations in Christian beliefs, as it reveals a living religious tradition, applying Scripture to s adapt to the contemporary challenges of human life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Authoritative sources of Scripture contribute fundamentally in distinguishing right from wrong in the expression of Christianity. In the Old Testament, the union of Adam and Eve became symbolic in the teachings of Christianity, as Genesis says: "a man lifts up his father and his mother, united to his wife and they become one flesh" . The union reflects traditional teachings that sexual behavior should be limited to a monogamous, heterosexual marriage. Additionally, God teaches in the Old Testament, “Be fruitful and multiply,” which reflects the fact that Christianity as a whole believes that sexuality is necessary and should be open to procreation. The seventh commandment of the Decalogue states that adultery is forbidden, constraining faithful Christians in their sexual behavior. In the New Testament, Jesus' "Golden Rule" or Commandment of Love instructs humans to love one another, elevating respect for humanity to maintain its dignity. The Beatitudes also emphasize Jesus' ideas about the Christian life proper and call on his followers to express their love by "having a...family life" reflecting a broad Christian belief in basic social unity. Paul's Letters to the Corinthians provide explicit instructions on ethics, stating that "the body, however, is not made for sexual immorality, but for the Lord", emphasizing that Christian sexual ethics benefits character sacred of the body, the soul and the conscience. The early foundations of Scripture provided Christian variations with a basis for responding to contemporary issues, as a living religious tradition. Christian views on homosexuality and premarital sex The issue of homosexuality has divided and polarized Christian variants, which differ in their approach and acceptance. homosexual relationships. Christian scholars, such as Thomas Aquinas, have been influenced by the concept of natural law, in the sense that homosexuality rebels against the natural, reproductive purposes of the human body, unionsexual being incapable of “fruiting and multiplying”. In 1 Corinthians, Paul of Tarsus states, "...evildoers will not inherit the kingdom of God...nor will men who have sex with men be immoral", reflecting the traditional belief that homosexual behavior is against the will of God. In recent times, Christianity has been forced to reflect on its teachings to remain a vibrant tradition. This was demonstrated at the 1998 Lambeth Conference, where Anglicans declared homosexuality “incompatible with Scripture”. Yet in 2004, the first openly gay bishop was ordained in an American Church, reflecting the changing ethical standards of Christianity. Additionally, in 1982 the Synod of the Uniting Church of New South Wales supported the decriminalization of homosexuality, to prevent impositions of morality. Thinkswap DocumentConversely, Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox Church maintain conservative positions in condemning homosexuality. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI declared homosexuality contrary to natural law, discouraging its legal recognition. One commonality, however, in each variation is that while the sin of homosexuality may be condemned, the sinner is respected, highlighting the timeless Christian ethic of the sanctity of the individual. As there is no single Christian position on homosexuality, the dynamic diversity of its response reflects a living religious tradition, contributing to the modern issues its followers face. Christianity's traditional position on premarital and extramarital sex is that it is prohibited. practices that degrade the sanctity of marriage. As shown by Adam and Eve in Genesis, sex is loving companionship within an adult marriage. The Decalogue's commandment on adultery is widely accepted as a correct guideline for sexual relations outside of marriage, because adultery undermines God-given humanity. In this way, responses to adultery remain traditional, as they are generally considered immoral by society, destroying the basic social unity. In Genesis, the concept of “one flesh” is described as exclusive within marriage; however, in contemporary times, sex and procreation are not mutually exclusive, giving rise to premarital sex. The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Presbyterian, and Lutheran denominations have explicitly prohibited premarital sex, viewing sexuality as correct within a sanctified union. Baptist churches, in contrast, value the "competence of the individual" and the role of conscience in these decisions, while Uniting Churches accept covenant relationships outside of marriage. Christianity has therefore responded and contributed, as a living religious tradition, to questions of morality in order to remain relevant. ethics. Since the Bible has little to say about contraception, guidelines often come from Church teachings and the role of conscience. Due to the interpretation of the Genesis commandment to "be fruitful and multiply", no Christian faith permitted contraception until the 1930s. However, in a dynamic response to a modern problem, many variations are now divided on the question. While the Anglican Church denounced contraception at the Lembeth Conference of 1908, the Church reissued a statement supporting contraception at the Lembeth Conference of 1930, as it combats the spread of disease and is preferable.