Sex before and outside marriage

– does it matter?
(1) Understand religious beliefs and STARTER:
teachings about sexual
relationships before marriage and What do you think about sex
outside marriage.
before or outside of
(2) Consider contemporary British
attitudes towards sexual marriage? Is it ok or not ok?
relationships before marriage and
outside marriage. Give reasons for your view.
 What’s the big deal about sex?

TASK: Watch the video. What are the issues the 2

characters mention about sex?
 What do Christians think about sex and why?
TASK
Look at the Bible quotes on p.70/71. What Christian
idea about sex do they represent?
Tip: The text around the quotes explains what the
verse is about, so read it!

“Flee from sexual immorality.

All other sins a person commits
are outside the body, but
whoever sins sexually, sins
against their own body. Do you
not know that your bodies are
temples of the Holy Spirit, who
is in you, whom you have
received from God? You are not
your own.” (1 Corinthians 9)
“You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20)
“You have heard that it was
said, ‘You shall not commit
adultery,’ But I tell you that
anyone who looks at a woman
lustfully has already committed
adultery with her in his heart.”
(Exodus 20)
 What do Christians think about sex and why?
“Flee from sexual Christians believe sex is the expression of a deep
immorality.” (1 and loving union between 2 people; it needs to be
Corinthians 9) part of a committed relationship (marriage!!!) to
avoid spreading diseases as well as causing
unnecessary emotional pain

Christians and many non-religious people alike

agree that sex outside of marriage is wrong as it
hurts feelings, involves secrecy, lies and betrays
“You shall not commit trust; also, it destroys families and thus impacts
adultery.” (Exodus 20) children

“… anyone who looks For many Christians lust is the first step to adultery
at a woman lustfully and therefore is also seen as sinful
has already committed
adultery with her in
his heart.” (Exodus 20)
 Do all Christians think the same?
Use textbook p.70 (paragraph before the sub-heading)
to find out about the following views about sex before
marriage:

• Anglican & Catholic churches

• Liberal Christians
• Islam
 Sex before you’re married?!
In your table groups discuss the advantages and
disadvantages about having sex before you’re married.
Record them in a table.

Advantages Disadvantages
 Sex – now and then
Read through the text below. What did people think
about sex outside of marriage in the early 20th century.

Mother and Baby Homes first appeared in England in 1891 under the guidance of
the Salvation Army in London. By 1968 there were a total of 172 known homes
for unmarried mothers, the majority run by religious bodies. Premarital
pregnancy was heavily stigmatized and provoked issues around sex, morality,
religion and authority both parental and community. While there were women
who birthed and raised their illegitimate children, there were many who were
feared to have brought shame upon the family and quickly ushered into the
confines of a Mother and Baby Home to hide their pregnancies. Often
orchestrated by social workers, or parents of the young woman, many were
pressured into giving their children up for adoption with an all-time peak in 1968
of adoption orders granted in England, 16,164 in all. Young women feared the
‘private punishment and public humiliation’ which accompanied illegitimate
pregnancy, and with little information on alternative options they conceded to
their perinatal penalty.
 Sex – now and then
Have things changed?
Discuss in your table groups or pairs
and be ready to give an answer.