'For Christians sex is only right within marriage" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have thought about more than one point of view.

Many Christians believe that sex is a gift from God and its purpose is to bind a couple in their marriage commitment and continue God's great work of creating new life. I believe that to have sex you open yourself to the possibility of creating life and only if you are prepared to take on the responsibilities of bringing up children should you have sex. Others believe that sex is a natural need or function, and it is irrelevant whether or not it happens in or outside of marriage, or whether or not you really know the person; people are entitled to sex whenever they want it. These people would argue that sex is acceptable outside of marriage, with the conditions that both people want it, and it is fin and harmless. This argument is very weak though, and undermines the importance and sacredness of an exclusive relationship between two people who love each other. In Matthew's gospel, Jesus taught about the importance of faithfulness within marriage, and how even looking at another lustfully is wrong and could lead to more serious adultery. This is human weakness, and could separate you from God, and alienate you from your partner. It also breaks the bond of trust and destroys the intimacy experienced in sexual relations.

I believe that sex outside marriage, as a pleasurable activity, treats the other person only as an object of your own pleasure, not a human being with a spirit and emotions, not one who you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. This dismisses the true meaning of the gift of sexuality, and is not God's intention Sex was part of God's plan of creating new life, and was designed for within marriage so that children would have a stable environment to grow up in. This follows the belief that the only person with whom one should have sex with is one's marital partner. Also the gift of sexuality is not for selfish purposes, and only in a relationship where the other person's well-being is more important than your own, like in the sacrament of marriage, is this true. This relationship of the couple giving themselves to each other can be the only sign and mirror of the self-giving love of God.

Overall I agree with this statement. I believe that adultery is totally unacceptable, but I also understand that only in along term life-long relationship can sex be enjoyed not only as a physical act, but also a spiritual and emotional act. Only though fill giving of yourself as a whole person, not just the physical giving, can the true meaning and intention of God's gift of sexuality be appreciated. I do believe though that there are some people who don't value marriage because they believe it is corrupt because it is so easy to get a divorce nowadays, but they still enter life-long relationships which are just like a marriage, and so I believe that sex within this type of relationship is right, which is the only grounds on which I disagree with the statement. Also some long-term relationships that aren't marriage are more stable and successful than some marriages, so I believe sex within these relationships is right, because there would be foundations laid down for looking after children responsibly if new life ever was created. Also I believe for people who are engaged or are intending to get married sex is acceptable because in my view this shows that they are not just doing it for physical pleasure but it is the total giving of oneself to the other. Engagement is a trial marriage and this intention of the couple spending the rest of their lives together shows the validity and wholeness of giving of the relationship. This is the only terms in which I think sex before marriage is acceptable.