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This is one of the most debated topics in religious ethics. Christian and Islamic teachings on sexuality have shaped moral attitudes for centuries, but these teachings are now being challenged and reinterpreted in light of changing social attitudes. This lesson explores religious and ethical perspectives on human sexuality.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Heterosexuality | Sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex |
| Homosexuality | Sexual attraction to people of the same sex |
| Bisexuality | Sexual attraction to people of both sexes |
| Celibacy | Choosing not to have sexual relationships |
| Chastity | Not having sex before marriage; or the virtuous use of sexuality |
| Contraception | Methods used to prevent pregnancy |
| Promiscuity | Having many sexual partners without commitment |
| Adultery | Having a sexual relationship with someone other than your spouse |
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?" (1 Corinthians 6:19)
| View | Position | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative/Traditional | Homosexual acts are sinful | "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman" (Leviticus 18:22); the Bible consistently presents marriage as between a man and a woman |
| Moderate | Homosexual orientation is not sinful, but homosexual acts are | The Catholic Church teaches "respect, compassion, and sensitivity" towards gay people but considers homosexual acts "intrinsically disordered" |
| Liberal/Progressive | Homosexuality is natural and not sinful; same-sex relationships should be celebrated | Jesus said nothing about homosexuality; the greatest commandment is love; biblical passages must be read in historical context |
Exam Tip: You must be able to present BOTH traditional and liberal views on homosexuality and explain the reasoning behind each. Avoid expressing your own opinion — present the arguments on each side.
"And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way." (Surah Al-Isra 17:32)
| Issue | Christianity | Islam |
|---|---|---|
| Sex before marriage | Traditional: forbidden / Liberal: acceptable in committed relationships | Forbidden (haram) |
| Adultery | Sinful | One of the gravest sins |
| Homosexuality | Views range from sinful to fully accepted, depending on denomination | Traditional teaching: haram; progressive voices are emerging |
| Purpose of sex | Procreation and unity within marriage | A blessing within marriage; part of Allah's plan |
flowchart TD
A["Sexual relationship<br/>considered"] --> B{Within marriage?}
B -->|No - pre-marital| C{Tradition?}
B -->|Yes| D{"Faithful and<br/>exclusive?"}
C -->|Traditional Christian| E["Fornication:<br/>discouraged"]
C -->|Liberal Christian| F["May be acceptable<br/>in committed<br/>relationships"]
C -->|Islam| G["Zina:<br/>haram"]
D -->|No - adultery| H["Forbidden:<br/>7th commandment;<br/>grave sin in Islam"]
D -->|Yes| I{Same-sex?}
I -->|No| J["Affirmed by both<br/>traditions"]
I -->|Yes| K{Denomination?}
K -->|Conservative| L["Acts considered<br/>sinful / haram"]
K -->|Liberal Christian| M["Loving relationships<br/>celebrated"]
| Denomination | Position |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | Artificial contraception is forbidden; only natural family planning is permitted (Humanae Vitae, 1968) |
| Church of England | Contraception is acceptable within marriage as a responsible choice |
| Other Protestants | Generally accept contraception as a matter of personal conscience |
Exam Tip: The Catholic prohibition on artificial contraception is a distinctive teaching. Be sure you can explain it and contrast it with other Christian and Islamic views.
Religious teachings on sexuality vary considerably, even within the same faith tradition. While traditional Christian and Islamic views share a common emphasis on sex within marriage and a cautious approach to homosexuality, liberal and progressive voices within both religions are calling for greater acceptance and inclusion. Understanding these diverse perspectives is essential for the GCSE exam.
In 1968 Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical Humanae Vitae ("Of Human Life") after a papal commission — which had included bishops, theologians, married couples, and doctors — had voted by a large majority to recommend that the Catholic Church permit artificial contraception. Paul VI overruled the commission and reaffirmed the traditional prohibition on all forms of artificial contraception. The encyclical argued that every sexual act must remain open to the transmission of life (the unitive and procreative meanings of marriage must not be separated) and that only natural family planning (NFP) — relying on the woman's fertile cycle — is morally permissible.
Consider this case. A young Catholic couple in London, newly married in 2026, are invited to a marriage preparation course at their parish. They are told about Natural Family Planning using the Billings Ovulation Method and the sympto-thermal method. They are also told that the Church regards the contraceptive pill, condoms, and the coil as intrinsically evil. The couple are worried — the wife is a junior doctor on a demanding rotation and does not feel ready to have a child.
A Catholic priest would defend Humanae Vitae by arguing that artificial contraception separates the unitive and procreative meanings of sex, reducing the other partner to a means rather than treating them as an end in themselves — an argument with roots in Thomas Aquinas and echoing Kant. He would note that NFP is not "Catholic roulette" but a scientifically informed method used by a growing number of couples concerned about hormonal side-effects. He would recommend the Couple to Couple League or Natural Family Planning Teachers' Association for training. The priest would also emphasise that Humanae Vitae is a genuinely challenging teaching — a counter-cultural witness to the commodification of sex.
A Church of England vicar would take a different view. Since the 1930 Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Communion has accepted that contraception can be morally responsible within marriage. The vicar would cite the 1958 Lambeth statement that family planning is a matter for the couple's conscience. He would argue that quality of life, the wellbeing of children already born, and responsible stewardship of resources are legitimate considerations.
A Muslim imam would explain that most Sunni and Shi'a scholars permit contraception between married partners by mutual agreement, provided it is reversible — so the pill, condoms, and the coil are generally acceptable for spacing pregnancies. Sterilisation is usually discouraged unless medically necessary. The imam might cite azl (withdrawal), which was practised during the Prophet's time without his disapproval (Sahih Muslim). Large families are encouraged but not mandatory.
A secular public health response would note that NHS England provides free contraception, and the UN has sought to ensure universal access under Sustainable Development Goal 3.7.
This case shows how Christian and Muslim ethics converge on the centrality of marriage but diverge sharply on the morality of artificial contraception.
"The Catholic Church banned contraception in 1968." The prohibition is much older — Church teaching against contraception can be traced to Augustine in the 4th century and was reaffirmed by Pius XI in Casti Connubii (1930). Humanae Vitae (1968) was Pope Paul VI's response to the contraceptive pill (approved for US prescription in 1960) and reaffirmed existing teaching. It did not invent the ban. A second misconception: "All Christians agree with the Catholic view". They do not — the Church of England, most Protestant denominations, and the Orthodox churches accept contraception within marriage.
Sample 12-mark question: "Religious teachings on sex before marriage are outdated." Evaluate this statement. Refer to Christian and Muslim teachings in your answer. (12 marks)
Grade 3-4 answer: Some Christians say sex before marriage is wrong because the Bible says you should wait. Muslims say the same — zina is haram. But today most people have sex before marriage and don't think it is wrong. I think religion is a bit old-fashioned about this but some people still follow it. Examiner comment: Basic points, limited sources, weak evaluation.
Grade 5-6 answer: Christian teaching treats sex as belonging within marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18, "flee from sexual immorality"), and Islam forbids zina (Surah 17:32). These teachings protect commitment and children. However, ONS data shows most UK couples now cohabit before marriage, and many argue that loving relationships outside marriage are morally acceptable. Liberal Christians point to Jesus's emphasis on love rather than legalism. On balance, I think the teachings remain important for religious people but are not widely followed in modern Britain. Examiner comment: Clear argument, sources used, balanced conclusion.
Grade 7-9 answer: The claim that religious teachings on pre-marital sex are outdated requires careful evaluation. Christianity (1 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 13:4) and Islam (Surah 17:32; Surah 24:2) both treat sexual intimacy as belonging within marriage, on the grounds that sex carries intrinsic meaning — covenant, unity, and the possibility of procreation — which casual relationships cannot carry. Traditional voices — Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia, the Evangelical Alliance, and Islamic Shari'a Council UK — maintain this position, often arguing that the sexual revolution has harmed mental health, family stability, and children's welfare. Liberal Christians such as Rowan Williams have argued for a more developmental ethic emphasising fidelity and mutual self-giving over legalism; the Quakers explicitly reject the legalistic framing. Secular thinkers emphasise consent and autonomy as the key ethical tests. ONS data (2022) shows around 70% of UK first-time mothers are unmarried at conception, suggesting that traditional teaching is now a minority practice. However, being a minority does not make a teaching outdated. The religious argument — that sex is not a trivial act — remains philosophically and pastorally serious. On balance, the statement is too strong: the teachings are counter-cultural rather than outdated, and continue to offer a meaningful witness alongside a more individualistic mainstream ethic. Examiner comment: Sophisticated evaluation, precise sources, contemporary statistics, nuanced justified conclusion.
UK law protects sexual activity between consenting adults in private — the Sexual Offences Act 1967 decriminalised male homosexual acts in England and Wales (decriminalisation in Scotland followed in 1980, in Northern Ireland in 1982). The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Marriage between same-sex couples was legalised in England and Wales in 2014 and in Northern Ireland in 2020. Religious communities operate within this legal framework but are permitted to maintain their own beliefs and practices: the 2013 Act's quadruple lock protects religious organisations from being compelled to conduct same-sex marriages. Understanding the relationship between religious teaching and civil law — overlapping in some areas, distinct in others — is important for the GCSE exam.
This content is aligned with the AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification, Component 2: Thematic studies — Relationships and families / Religion, crime and punishment / Religion, human rights and social justice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official AQA specification document.