Sexual Practices and Norms By Jacob Lambers, Michelle Tezak, Brittani Conley, Marcela Castanon

Purpose of Sexual Activity

Judaism Sexual relations outside marriage are forbidden Condemns homosexual practices however reform branch allows such activity Restriction= relations with menstruating woman Full purpose is to reproduce and be abundant Used to have concubines but do not anymore due to the sanctity of marriage Restrictions aimed at decency

Christianity Not allowed to have sex until marriage Must repent for sexual desires/temptations Sin was transmitted by way of sexual reproduction God found within deepest desires (sex) only when married Enjoy company of women; marriage

Islam It is a man’s right to sexual satisfaction (woman can’t refuse husbands sexual demand) Enjoy company of women and sex The pleasure of sex leads to union with God “She should not refuse to share his bed [meaning that she should not deny him sexual access when he desires it-Trans.]” (Ruthven 100)

Fornication Voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons, or two persons not married to each other

Judaism Sexual relations outside of heterosexual marriage is prohibited Male homosexuality is a grave sin Female homosexuality also forbidden, but less serious (because no penetration) Biblical and rabbinic law condemn homosexual practices (but that has not prevented the formation of Jewish gay clubs and synagogues)

Christianity Unjust fornicators won’t inherit the Kingdom of God If one can’t exercise self control then one should marry Women betrothed to one husband are to be presented to Christ as a chaste virgin

Islam Women guilty of lewdness will go to prison until they die or if Allah orders another way (same punishment for adultery); if two men are guilty both must be punished but if they repent they can be left alone Both men and women who are guilty of fornication must be severely beaten with a whip or rod 100 times; they should not be showed compassion Those guilty of fornication can only marry one who’s also guilty of it or an unbeliever; forbidden to believers Those who wrongfully accuse and can’t produce 4 witnesses to support allegations will be whipped 80 times if accuse spouse w/ only own evidence, must bear witness 4 times with an oath by Allah that it’s truth, and if it’s a lie then they invoke the curse of Allah on themselves If a woman bears witness 4 times w/ oath by Allah that her husband is lying then no punishment for her; but the woman invokes the wrath of Allah upon herself if her accuser is telling

Abstention from sexual intercourse Celibacy Abstention from sexual intercourse

Judaism Sex is for reproductive purposes Practice celibacy before marriage The purpose of creation is for Jews to enter the world, get married, have children and be spiritual Celibacy can lead one closer to God for one removes oneself from the physical aspects of life and becomes closer to God

Christianity Because sex is viewed only as a means of reproduction, celibacy is required before marriage Catholic priests are celibate for their entire lives Do not marry, therefore no reason to have sex

Islam Celibate during the month of Ramadan Holy month, deprive themselves of pleasure during the day Because sex is viewed as pleasure very few Muslims exorcise celibacy Sex during marriage is encouraged

Adultery Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse.

Judaism Known as Halakah God can overlook most sins, except for lewdness Neither a man nor a woman should have any promiscuous relations outside of marriage If the woman is married, it is considered a more severe transgression. According to the Torah, a man may have more than one wife, while a woman has one husband. (a woman builds a home; a woman cannot build 2 homes) Double standard Jewish law does not forgive Children (innocent victims) pay for their parent’s wrongdoings

Christianity God will judge the immoral and the adulterous No fornicator has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God One of the Ten Commandments Adultery can be an act, a thought, or a divorce & remarriage In Paul’s words: -(the act) A married woman is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives; but if he dies, then she is free from that law. If she lives with another man while her husband is alive, she will be called an adulteress -(the thought) One is told not to commit adultery but anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of it within his own heart -(divorce and remarriage) If a man divorces his wife, for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery if she marries again; and the man who marries her commits adultery also

Islam Known as Zina It is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road to other evils One of most heinous and deadly sins One should not fornicate, anyone who does shall meet the price of sin--doubled shall be the chastisement for him on the Resurrection Day Strictly enforced under Sharia law the penalty of it does not depend on the caste, race, religion or social status of the person with whom it is committed It corrodes the purity of one’s soul and hence destroys one’s faith It exposes the person to the wrath of Allah, thus resulting in eternal damnation