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

2. Purpose of Sexual Activity

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. Abstention from sexual intercourse
Celibacy
Abstention from sexual intercourse

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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