Sexual intercourse has the potential to create new life and the raising of a family, in the view of Christianity, needs the security and the commitment of marriage. Christianity, as well as other major faiths, emphasise the importance of marriage and commitment between the parents of children. Marriage provides a stable and loving environment for a child, unlike the insecurity a child could experience growing up where its parents are not together due to sex outside of marriage which offers no commitment. The Catholic Church teaches that the primary purpose of sexual intercourse is the beginning of children of which should happen within a relationship acknowledged by marriage. This is seen in Genesis 1:27-28, where it says ‘Have many children, so that your descendants will live over all the earth’ showing God’s clear intention for marriage. Intercourse is seen as a sin unless the procreation of children is intended, or at least hindered because children are a gift from God. In the papal encyclical “Hymanae Vitae” (1968) all artificial forms of contraception are condemned.
Marriage controls and directs the sex instinct within a relationship because it helps couples to understand that sex is a gift that is valuable and should not be taken for granted. Such things as one night stands where people have sex with those who they do not know is consequently strongly frowned upon, as there is no loyalty or devotion. Adultery is also wrong as in marriage; the couple should forsake all others and bring honesty and loyalty to their union. This is clearly stated in Exodus 20:14, when it says ‘Do not commit adultery’. Sex within marriage assures then, that the people would love and care for each other even after the sexual intercourse has occurred, as marriage secures friendship and companionship through life.
As Christians view sexual intercourse as precious, it is understandable that the church preaches that a marriage can not be a true marriage in the eyes of God, or the sacrament fulfilled until the sexual intercourse has occurred between the married couple. This is stated in 1 Corinthians 7:3, when it says ‘A man should fulfil his duty as a husband, and a women should fulfil her duty as a wife, and each should satisfy the other’s needs…’. Showing that God intended sex to occur only in marriage, so it is permanent and exclusive.
Therefore, it is obvious to see that Roman Catholics and other Christians believe that sexual intercourse should only take place within a marriage (extra-marital sex) as it is sacred and confirms commitment between two people unlike pre-marital sex which doesn’t offer this.
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