Lesson video

Hello, my young scholars of religion, my name is Ms. Marx, and I'm going to be your Religious Education teacher today.

Today, we're going to be doing about Sexual Relationships in Christianity.

So, today, we're going to look at different views within Christianity and non-religious views around sexuality, particularly same-sex relationships.

And one of the things that's informed some of these views is the Bible.

Some parts of the Bible were written many thousands of years ago, and they weren't written in the English that we might read the Bible in today.

So I want you to be aware of that as we look at some of the language that is used in the Bible, which has been interpreted to relate to same-sex relationships today.

Many scholars would argue that these texts are not referring to same-sex committed, loving relationships that we may have around us in the world today, but some exploitative and non-consensual acts, which were happening at the time when those books were written.

So, with that in mind, let's go.

So by the end of this lesson, you'll be able to explain different Christian teachings and views on human sexuality.

So let's start with our key terms. Same sex relationships: sexual relationships between two people of the same sex, also known as homosexual relationships.

Same-sex sexuality: being physically or sexually attracted to persons of the same gender, also known as homosexuality.

And St.

Paul: an important Christian from the first century C.

E.

who wrote much of the New Testament part of the Bible.

So look out for those in today's lesson.

So our lesson today, we'll have two sections: Christian teachings on sexuality, Diverse views on sexuality.

So let's start with our first section: Christian teachings on sexuality.

Christians may view sexuality as having multiple purposes.

So it could be procreation in terms of making babies or the next generation, so a couple having children together, but also sexuality can be there for a union of two people.

So it's not necessarily just for procreation, it's about that couple being united and feeling connected.

It can also be for marital bonding, so it's a married couple and it's a way for them to foster their relationship and feel more connected and in love with each other.

Could be for pleasure and joy, sexuality is something that people could enjoy and take great pleasure from.

And most Christians view sexuality as a gift from God, perhaps for these different reasons here.

It's a gift that's been given to humans by God in the way that humans have been created.

Many Christians believe sexual relationships should happen within a marriage, and some Christians accept that same-sex couples should be able to marry.

So, many Christians might say it should only happen within marriage to do with that commitment that that couple have made to each other, some Christians would say same-sex couples can marry and therefore have those sexual relationships, others may say they should not.

So why are there these different views then within Christianity on same-sex relationships and sexuality? Well, the terms same-sex relationships and same-sex sexuality do not appear in the Bible.

So they're not there, if I just start flicking through the Bible and wanna find those terms, I'm not gonna find 'em exactly.

However, they may be linked to other teachings.

So Christians have teachings they'll look to and other methods to help them make a decision about what their view is on same-sex relationships and same-sex sexuality.

So the Bible has the 10 Commandments, "Do not commit adultery." So that's very clearly teaching that adultery is wrong, it's there in the 10 Commandments, "Do not steal, do not lie." So that is a very clear teaching that most Christians would say, "Okay, I can follow that teaching, it's there clearly written in the 10 Commandments." But it doesn't say anything in the 10 Commandments about same-sex relationships or same-sex sexuality, Jesus never said anything about it.

So Christians have to use a way of interpreting other things in the Bible and other Christian sources of authority to help them make their decision.

So we have a diversity of views within Christianity on this.

So, for example, they might look to their conscience, so their own view, their own thoughts, perhaps through prayer with God themselves on their own, they might look to church leaders of their denomination, or other churches who they respect and they feel that they have authority to help guide them with these views, there might be other written sources of authority.

So, for example, within the Roman Catholic Church, you've got the catechism, which helps set out some of the different views and beliefs within Roman Catholicism on this.

Sometimes there's ethical theories that are supported by church leaders.

So, for example, situation ethics is supported by some churches, which can help guide Christians into whether they accept same-sex relationships or not, or natural moral law is another ethical theory which could guide Christians into thinking whether same-sex relationships are permitted or not within Christianity.

So let's have a look at the primary source of authority, or the most important source of authority, that Christians are going to turn to to help guide their views on this: the Bible.

So the Bible is an important source of authority for Christians on moral issues such as sexuality and same-sex relationships.

Whilst the term same-sex relationships does not appear in the Bible, there are different texts which have been used to support a diversity of views around same-sex relationships.

Christians will often look to the words and actions of Jesus to inform their moral decision-making, and He never spoke out to support or condemn same-sex relationships directly.

He did however teach we should not judge one another, and spoke about the importance of love.

There are some texts from the Bible which have been used throughout Christian history and traditions to say that same-sex relationships are not accepted within Christianity.

These texts were not originally written in English, and they were written in a very different context to modern British society.

This means that not only are the texts translated in different ways, but they're also interpreted and applied in different ways today leading to different views within Christianity on same-sex relationships.

Let's do a quick check before we move on.

The Bible has quotes from Jesus stating that same-sex relationships are wrong.

Is that True or False? Pause the video and have a go, we'll see what you come up with in a moment.

Well done, it's False, isn't it? But why? Because Jesus isn't quoted anywhere in the Bible about speaking about same-sex relationships either to say they're acceptable or that they're wrong.

Well done.

So we haven't got direct words from Jesus, or in the 10 Commandments, to say that same-sex relationships are not permitted within Christianity, but there are some key passages which have been used through Christian history and Christian traditions to say that they're not acceptable or not permitted.

And these are in Leviticus in the Old Testament, and then we've got Timothy and Corinthians, which are letters from St.

Paul in the New Testament.

There are three texts in particular which have been used to support the view that same sex-relationships are not accepted within Christianity.

Firstly, a passage from Leviticus in the Old Testament, which says that a man lying with another man, as if he's a woman, is an abomination.

This was originally written in Hebrew, and the passage goes on to list other abominations such as eating shellfish, cross-breeding animals, sowing mixed crops in a field, wearing clothes made with more than one fibre, getting tattoos, and cutting the hair on the temples.

Christians today do not necessarily avoid these abominations.

In the New Testament, which was mainly written in Greek, there are two passages which have been used to support the view that same sex-relationships are wrong.

A passage of St.

Paul's letter to Corinthians lists people who are not righteous, and includes two terms which are often translated as homosexuality.

The two terms are malakoi and arsenokoitai.

Malakoi means soft or effeminate, and has traditionally been interpreted to relate to male same-sex acts, but it's also been argued it could mean morally soft and not in relation to sexual acts.

Arsenokoitai is an extremely rare term, which appears again in St.

Paul's letter to Timothy.

It may have been created by St.

Paul, and it's a combination of two terms, meaning male and bedder.

Again, this has been translated as homosexual, but could refer to other acts where men were exploited sexually in the context at the time it was written, and not to consenting adults in a committed same-sex relationship.

So we've seen here that one passage which is often used to support the view that same sex relationships are wrong is in Leviticus, this is an Old Testament.

If a man has sexual relations with a man, as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable, or another word that's used is an abomination.

Why can some Christians use this to support the view that same sex-relationships are not accepted in Christianity? Pause the video and have a think, you can have a reread, and we'll see what you come up with in a moment.

Well, it has this phrase here that sexual relations between two men are seen as detestable, and also the word abomination is often used in different translations.

Well, I've said that different Christians interpret this in different ways though.

We're going to see how Jason, who's Roman Catholic priest, and Ji-eun, who's a Methodist minister, interpret this passage differently then.

And Jason says, "This passage supports my view that same sex relationships are wrong, but I do not believe that someone having same-sex sexuality is wrong.

It's wrong to act on this, not to have the feelings." And Ji-eun says, "I don't agree.

This passage does not relate to same-sex relationships today but was written in a completely different context.

It's part of the old laws, not Christianity today." If you remember, other things that were listed in that book that were detestable or an abomination were having tattoos, cutting the hair on your temples, or wearing clothes with more than one fibre, and perhaps even the clothes you are wearing now have got both polyester and cotton in them.

So there are things that Christians don't necessarily follow from that part of the Bible in the same way today.

So why does that one bit have to be followed in that way too, is what Ji-eun would argue.

But for Jason, he would say that it's kind of clearly shown to him that it's wrong to act on it, not necessarily to be of same-sex sexuality, but to act on it is.

So we can have two different Christians here who have different interpretations of that same Bible passage.

In the New Testament, St.

Paul's words are often interpreted as being against same-sex relationships too.

So we saw two passages there, one from his letter to Timothy, one to his letter to Corinthians, which seemed to suggest that same-sex relationships are wrong.

He used a rare term that's often translated as those who practise homosexuality.

So it wasn't written originally in English, or whatever version we're reading the Bible today, it was written originally in Greek.

And normally we can look to where that word is used elsewhere, and how it's translated to really understand what that word meant at the time.

But the word he uses is very rare.

Some people even argue maybe he coined it or he created this word.

So it's very difficult for us to see what it might actually be referring to.

Whatever it is he's talking about, he says is ungodly and sinful.

So whatever he's talking about, we know he doesn't agree with, and he thinks that God sees as sinful.

But what is it exactly he was talking about? So here's the word arsenokoitai, let's try and understand it.

Arsen meaning male, and koite meaning bed, so the term he's created is male bedder.

So this term may be one that Paul has created and the literal translation of this would be male bedder.

So now Jason and Ji-eun are gonna explain how they interpret this term arsenokoitai differently.

Jason says, "I interpret this term to mean men who have sex with men," male bedders, so two men who are in bed together.

"So Paul is condemning the action of same-sex relations.

I don't believe it's sinful to be same-sex attracted, but it is sinful to act on it.

So for Jason, the person isn't sinful, but the act would be if they acted on it, because of what St.

Paul said here that it's sinful and ungodly.

But Ji-eun has a different view.

Let's see what she says.

Ji-eun says, I interpret arsenokoitai as a practise common in St.

Paul's time where young boys were exploited for sex, which is sinful," 'cause this is exploitative, this isn't consensual, this isn't a relationship.

"Consenting, committed adult same-sex relationships are not the same." So Ji-eun here is saying we have to look at the context to really understand about this term, 'cause you remember it doesn't really appear in many other places for us to get that context and understand it.

But we do know this was a practise which was a way of exploiting young boys for sex at the time in the Roman Empire, and that is what Paul is saying is wrong, ungodly, and sinful.

Let's do a quick check.

St.

Paul used the exact words of same sex relationships in his writings in the Bible.

Is that True or False? Pause the video and have a go, we'll see what you come up with in a moment.

Well done, it's False, isn't it? But why? Because St.

Paul used a rare term, which literally means male bedder, which could be translated and interpreted in different ways.

Well done.

Let's do a practise task to see what you've learned.

Lucas and Laura have been asked to explain Christian teachings on sexuality.

Who has the best explanation and why? And Lucas says, "The term same-sex relationship is not in the Bible, but some text are used to support the view that same-sex relationships are wrong." And Laura says, "Jesus and St.

Paul said that same-sex relationships are wrong, and so these are used to support the view that same-sex relationships are wrong today." Who has the best explanation and why? Pause the video and have a go.

We'll see what you come up with in a moment.

Well done, Lucas had the best explanation, didn't he? And his was, "The term same-sex relationships is not in the Bible, but some texts are used to support the view that same-sex relationships are wrong." And the reason why it could be.

Lucas's explanation is better because he shows the term same-sex relationships is not found in the Bible, but that some texts have been used to support the view that they're wrong.

Laura was wrong because Jesus is not recorded saying anything about same sex relationships, and the terms that St.

Paul used are translated as homosexual, but that's not the exact term that he used.

Well done.

So now onto our second section: Diverse views on sexuality.

So we've got different denominations of the Christianity, and we've already met Ji-eun and Jason who are example of a Methodist and Roman Catholic Christian.

And we can see there are different denominations on our denomination tree here, all coming from kind of the life and example of Jesus and then the writings of the disciples and their example too, then we have the different denominations branching off from this.

And Christians may use one or more methods in making a moral decision.

They might emphasise a different source of authority or translate and interpret them differently.

This leads to different views within and between the different branches of Christian denominations.

So, different branches may have sort of different official views, but within that, individual Christians can have different views too.

Let's have a look at some.

Although most Christian denominations agree that same-sex orientation or sexuality is not sinful, they may disagree on questions about same-sex sexuality.

This table shows which denominations teach same sex acts are sinful.

Some denominations teach that same sex acts are sinful.

So, for example, if we look at the Church of England as a denomination, there is a mixture of views within the church as to whether same-sex acts are sinful depending on the type of church you go to and the individuals within it.

Within The Methodist Church, it does not teach that same-sex acts are sinful.

Many Pentecostal Churches do teach that same-sex acts are sinful.

The Quaker Church does not teach that same-sex acts are sinful.

The Roman Catholic Church does teach that same-sex acts are sinful.

The United Reformed Church does not teach that same-sex acts are sinful.

So we've got a variety of views here.

Whilst most of those churches would say somebody being same-sex sexuality isn't sinful, having those thoughts or having that feeling, the act of acting on it, it may be if you are in one of these churches.

And like we say, although most Christian denominations agree that same-sex orientation is not sinful, they might disagree on other questions.

So this table shows which dominations will marry same-sex couples.

So obviously if a church is willing to marry, and sort of officiate, and sort of mark that relationship and bless that relationship within its community, it's a very accepting view of same-sex couples and same-sex sexuality, isn't it? So some denominations do allow same-sex marriage in a church, others do not.

So at the moment in the Church of England, you cannot have a same-sex marriage within a Church of England church, although it can have prayers and blessings said afterwards.

The Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage, many Pentecostal Churches do not allow same-sex marriage, the Quaker Church allows same-sex marriage, the Roman Catholic Church does not allow same-sex marriage, and the United Reform Church does allow same-sex marriage.

So, again, we've got a variety of different views here within different churches as to whether same-sex couples can be married within that church.

And, finally, another way we can see the view of a particular church on same-sex relationships, will they ordain or allow someone to be the leader of the church, so the priest or the minister or the vicar or the pastor, if that person is same-sex sexuality? So some denominations do allow same-sex individuals to be ordained as ministers or priests for example.

So the Church of England, yes they can, but not if they're in a same-sex relationship.

The Methodist Church, yes, and if they're in a same-sex relationship.

Pentecostal Churches, no.

The Quaker Church, yes.

The Roman Catholic Church, no.

And the United Reformed Church, yes.

So there are some churches which will allow someone who is same-sex sexuality, and even in a couple, in a relationship to be a leader of that church as a minister or a pastor.

So within one Christian denomination as well, there can be a diversity of views on sexuality.

We've just seen that between different denominations, there can be a variety, but also within one denomination there can be a variety and a diversity of views.

Fiona and Fergus are both Anglican Christians, which is also known as the Church of England.

And Fiona says, "I believe the Bible shows us that same-sex relationships are not accepted in Christianity, but I don't believe being same-sex attracted is a sin, as God made you that way." And Fergus says, "I believe that loving and committed relationships between adults are acceptable in Christianity, and that St.

Paul is condemning non-consensual sex and exploitation.

So here we could link back some of the ideas from Fiona and Fergus to those texts we saw in the first section of the lesson.

Let's do another check before we move on.

Most Christian denominations agree that same-sex sexuality itself is not sinful.

Is that True or False? Pause the video and have a go, and we'll see what you have done in a moment.

Well done, it's True, because although some Christian denominations believe same-sex acts are wrong, they distinguish between this and same-sex sexuality.

Well done.

Now Zara and Faye are a same-sex couple and they're both atheists, and they're commenting now on the treatment of same-sex sexualities within religion.

Zara says, "I think people should be free to live how they choose.

It's important that people of all sexualities feel accepted, whatever the setting." And Faye says, "I don't follow religion, but I believe everyone should be treated equally.

Same-sex people should not be excluded from any community." Can you think of how any of the different Christian perspectives that we've looked at, the Christian views we've looked at already this lesson, could respond to this? Pause the video and have a think, and we'll see what you have done in a moment.

And then also Brandon is a humanist, and he's been asked about his view of same-sex sexuality.

And Brandon says, "Loving, committed relationships between people with the same sex should be respected just like any other.

What matters most is that a relationship is based on mutual care, respect, and consent.

Everyone has the right to love whoever they choose without fear or shame." So how could a Christian respond to Brandon as well as Zara and Faye's views then, these non-religious views about same-sex sexuality.

So how might a Christian respond to these non-religious views? Pause the video and have a think, and we'll see what you come up with in a moment.

Well, there's a variety of ways that Christians could respond to these non-religious views about sexuality then.

Here's Danielle, who's a Roman Catholic Christian and Simon who's a United Reformed Church Christian.

Danielle says, "I respect different views on sexuality, but I believe that if someone is a Christian, they shouldn't act on any same-sex attractions." So perhaps in response to Faye, Danielle could say, "Yep, I accept people who have same-sex attractions into my church, but you as a couple wouldn't be able to, because you are acting on it.

Simon says, "I agree that churches should be more welcoming of same-sex couples.

My churches is, and I hope more denominations are in the future." So here, maybe Simon's in agreement with a few of those non-religious views, and hoping that his church can be a beacon to encourage more churches to be more welcoming in the future.

And are there any passages or sources of authority that might have influenced Danielle and Simon to have these views then? Pause video and have a think, and you can talk to the person next to you or talk to me.

Well, we've seen there's a diversity of views around sexuality and same-sex relationships.

So let's together give two of three religious views on sexuality and same-sex relationships.

Hmm.

Same-sex relationships are not accepted in Christianity, feelings are not sinful, but acting on them is.

So over to you then.

Give another religious view on sexuality and same-sex relationships.

Pause the video and have a go, let's see what you come up with in a moment.

Well done, loving and committed same-sex relationships are accepted in Christianity.

Well done.

So let's do another practise task to see what we've learned.

Here's a full evaluation question.

"All Christians should accept same-sex relationships." And in a full answer, you would evaluate the statement considering arguments for and against.

In your response, you would refer to Christian teachings, refer to non-religious arguments, and reach a justified conclusion.

But what you're going to do today is use the points on the table on the next slide to reach a justified conclusion based on the arguments made.

So let's have a look at the different points and the arguments made then.

The statement is, "All Christians should accept same-sex relationships." And what you're going to do is reach a justified conclusion based on the arguments made.

So here are some points made supporting the statement.

Some Anglicans may say same-sex relationships should be accepted in their religion.

Jesus did not condemn same-sex relationships, some passages of the Bible have been mistranslated or interpreted.

And points supporting a different point of view.

Some Roman Catholics may say: the words of Leviticus mean same-sex relations are detestable, they may interpret St.

Paul's words to mean same-sex acts, and that he said they were sinful and ungodly, and they may say that same-sex attraction is not sinful or forbidden in the religion, but acting on it is.

So you've got to read through these points and decide which you think is stronger, and reach a justified conclusion.

You might want to use this structure to help you.

Start with a clear overall view, e.

g.

, "Overall, the stronger argument is that.

." Show awareness of other perspectives, e.

g.

, "Although some Christians believe that.

." And justify your overall view with a reason, e.

g.

, "This is because.

." So, reminder, you're reading the points for each side and you're reaching a justified conclusion.

Pause video and have a go, we'll see what you come up with in a moment.

Well done, some good thinking there.

So I asked you to reach a justified conclusion based on the arguments made.

And your response might be similar to this.

"Overall, the stronger argument is that Christians should accept same-sex relationship as there's no direct condemnation of same-sex relationships in the Bible.

Although some Christians believe that in the Bible they are condemning same-sex relationships, the passages which seem to condemn same-sex relationships were not written about the committed, loving, and consenting relationships that same-sex adults have today.

This is because the context is so different to the times when they were written." Well done.

So let's summarise everything we've learned today then.

Many Christians see human sexuality as a gift from God.

Most Christians would see procreation, bonding, pleasure and joy as purposes for sex, some passages of the Bible are used to support the view that same-sex relationships are not accepted in Christianity, most Christians do not view same-sex sexuality as a sin, some Christians do not view certain passages of the Bible as referring to same-sex relationships today, but they were referred to certain actions in the context they were written in, and there's a diversity of views within Christianity and in non-religious beliefs around same-sex relationships.

So well done for your hard work today, and I hope to see you again soon.

Bye-bye!.