Homosexuality 'was not
removed from the american
list of psychiatric disorders
until as recently as 1973
Tyler and Reid
people who
suffered from this
mental illness
were locked up in
appaling
conditions
December 2005 the fist civil partnership took place.
Biblical Views
Homosexuality is condemned
in the Old and the New
testament
NT
Jesus does not mention homosexuality
St
Paul
nor the homosexuals
...will inherit the kingdom
of God
Men committed indecent acts
with other men, and received
in themselves the due penalty
for perversion
Scholars question the
relevance of his teachings
today
Robin Scarggs
Paul's teachings are "Directed against
exploitive sex with young boys which
was common in the Graco-Roman
World, and this has nothing to do with
voluntary homosexual relationships."
OT
Man and Woman must fill the earth
Genisis 2:24
Do not lie with a
man as one lies
with a woman, that
is detestable.
Leviticus
They must be put to death.
Leviticus 20:13
Christian Views
Roman Catholic
Absolutist Stance on homosexuality
"They must be
accepted with respect,
compassion and
sensitivity."
Presbyterian
Believe we are created in the eyes of God.
Homosexuality is condemned, but they accept they
are misunderstood and call them to live an abstinent
life.
Methodist Church
USA. "We do not condone the act of homosexuality
and consider it immoral."
"We are opposed to all debated forms of
homosexuality, but we plead for understanding and
tolerance for them."
Anglican Communion
Divided opinion
Church of England
Homosexual people are in every way as
valuable to the church as hetrosexual people.
Secular Views
Peter Vardy "Casual homosexual or
lesbian activity indulged in soley for
the pleasure of the act, rather than as
a relationship, can be as destructive
and as damaging to the human
integrity to those involved as casual
hetrosexual sex."
JSM "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully excercised
over any member of a civilised community, against his own will, is to
prevent harm to others"
Freud
"Homosexuality
is no advantage,
but it is nothing
to be ashamed
of."
Application of theory
Natural Law
Against.
Disobeys
primary precept
to reproduce
Utilitarianism
For, if it promotes the
greatest amount of
happiness.
Peter Singer "If a form of
homosexuality brings satisfaction to
those who takes part in it and harms no
one, what can be immoral about it."
Situation Ethics
For, if it is being done out of love and
no one is exploited.
Marriage and Divorce
Introduction
Marriage is the union of
two people, in both
religious and legal terms.
Our Religious views and upbringing can influence
our opinion on marraige
Biblical Views
Be fruitful and increase in number
It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a
helper suitable for him
For this reason a man will leave his
father and mother and be united to
his wife and they will become one
flesh
Marriage is seen as
unitive, procreative and
exclusive.
Biblical Views
Stott outlines that it must
be a hetrosexual marriage,
supportive and
consummated by sexual
union
Polygamy in OT
Lamech married 2 women. Adah
and Zaliah
Jacob had two wives Leah and Rachel
Solomon had 700 wives and 300
concubines
Monogamy in OT
Deuteronomy also states "He must not take
many wives or his heart will be lead astray"
Timothy: the husband of but one wife
Augustine developed the
sacramental nature of
marriage and agreed with
genesis and paul
Paul expressed
marriage as being
permenant. "A wife
must not separate from
her husband, but if she
does she must remain
unmarried"
Christian views
The catholic church emphasises sex should
only take place in marriage
Protestant denomination
think the unitive is more
important than procreative
and allow contraception
The church of England are now considering
letting homosexual couples marry
Secular Views
Humanist follow the reason,
experience and repeat rule
and agree that marriage is a
useful institution
Application Of Theory
Natural Law
For. Primary precept to love
Utilitarianism
For, if it provides the greatest amount
of happiness