Sexuality and Relationships

1. Sexuality and Relationships The CHURCH’s Teaching on Human Sexuality HRE2O1 – Christ and Culture

2. The Gift of Human Sexuality • According to the book of Genesis, God created all human beings in His divine image, male and female. • Human sexuality is a precious part of God’s plan – it is a gift from God, to be treasured and respected. • In our calling to be hands and feet of Christ, we are given the vocation to love and to be loved. • Our sexuality is a core dimension of our experience of relating to one another  God wants us to use our sexuality in relating to one another.

3. What’s the Purpose? • According to the Catholic Church, sexual activity has 2 equal purposes: • UNITIVEThe expression and sharing of love between married persons in a committed and life long relationship. Lovemaking is an expression of vulnerability and intimacy – it demands deep commitment and love for it to be true. • PROCREATIVE The creation of the gift of new life (a.k.a makingbabies!). • Sexual intercourse is meant to express a man and woman’s sharing of their most intimate selves.

4. When is Sexual Activity OK? • According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church,sexual intercourse is intended only within a committed married relationship. (Catechism 2350, 2353) • Sexual intercourse is reserved for marriage because it embodies the total sharing of a whole committed life together. • Genital sex before marriage is considered sinful (this includes any sexual activity while people are engaged). • Sexual activity by married persons with someone other than their spouse is considered sinful.

5. Why Does the Church Say This? • Our sexuality is meant to bring us out of ourselves and to help us to selflessly connect with another person in a very deepandmeaningfulway. • Engaging in sex without a deep and lastingcommitment or for the sake of personal pleasure is a misuse of a precious gift from God. • According to God’s will, sex is part of nature which is ordered for the good of spouses and the creation of children. • To engage in sex purely for personal pleasure is to use another human being as an object. This is a selfish act and is therefore wrong.

6. “Why Wait?” • Our sexuality is a unique and special “gift” from God. When we don’t protect that gift or use it properly, it becomes degraded in value. • Sexual activity is a choice – we are NOT animals at the mercy of our hormones. We are thinking, feeling human beings capable of self-control. • Engaging in sexual activity is a choice that always has life-changing consequences (e.g., unexpected pregnancy, STI’s). • Practicing chastity is a way to avoid unnecessary consequences.

7. Chastity- What is it? • CHASTITY is being in control of our physical and emotional sexual urges. • Chastity is the process of self-mastery and self-control so that we may be truly free. • All Christians are called to live lives of chastity at EVERY stage of their life.

8. Why is Chastity Important? • CHASTITY is a sign of love and respect. It shows love for God by following His commandments against committing adultery and coveting your neighbour’s spouse. • It shows love and respect for a person's future spouse by waiting to share the special bond of sex with only them. • Making the commitment to stay chaste before marriage proves that someone can be trustedtobefaithful after marriage.

9. Requirements for Adolescents • Today’s adolescents are challenged to mature in a culture that is far more complex, fast-paced, and dangerous. • Teenagers consider sex a right or a rite of passage, but it must be reserved for within the context of marriage. • Use the example of Jesus Christ – he was single, chaste and, at the same time, a person who knew the joys of intimacy as well as the anguish of loneliness.

10. Adolescents . . . continued • In most cases, pre-marital sex does not fit the conditions for acceptable sexual activity – it is neither unitive nor procreative! • Problems that arise from pre-martial sex: • Relationship misunderstandings • Feelings of being used or betrayed • Trauma of unexpected pregnancies • The church urges SEXUAL ABSTINENCE before marriage.

11. The Homosexuality Question • The Church affirms that having homosexual feelings/being homosexual is NOT a sin (nor freely chosen). • Homosexual people are equal, loved children of God. They should be treated with the same respect and dignity as all of God’s children. • The Church teaches, however, that homosexual activity is morally not acceptable because it is neither unitive nor procreative. • Homosexual persons are called to the vocation of chastity and avoiding sexual activity.

12. Other Concerns: • Masturbation/Oral Sex  Considered immoral because it is selfish and singly-pleasuring. It trains people to be selfish with their sexuality. It is the opposite of mutual, self-giving love. • Pornography  Presents human sexuality in a degrading and impersonal way. It makes people into objects of lustful and unloving sexual gratification. It changes expectations and standards of perfection.

13. Other Concerns: • HIV/AIDS  It is incorrect to associate HIV/AIDS with homosexuality. Moreover, it is wrong to speak of HIV (or any illness) as God punishing anyone. • Sexual Abuse/Rape Sexual abuse of any kind is a personal and societal tragedy. The Church (and all Catholics) condemns the use of children, women or other persons a sexual objects.