Your Questions About Sex In Marriage Catholic

MarriageCounseling answers:

1. What does the Bible say about Sex Before Marriage?

Here are some Scriptures that teach against premarital sex:

Exodus 22:16-17: An man had to marry the woman with whom he had premarital sex, if the father approved of the marriage, or pay a high price.

Deuteronomy 22:13-21: Premarital sex is viewed as evil and a disgraceful thing.

Proverbs 5:15-21: A man is to be a virgin when he takes his wife.

In addition to these Scriptures, there are over 30 other verses in the Old Testament speaking about a “virgin” or “virgins.” Virginity was highly cherished as the standard for God’s people.

In the New Testament we don’t have verses describing the act of premarital sex and its consequences like we do in Exodus or Deuteronomy. It is clear, however, that virginity is still the standard for unmarried Christians and that sex outside the context of marriage is still considered sin.

1 Corinthians 7:7:28,34,36-38: Virginity is assumed for unmarried women just as in the Old Testament. Virginity is still the standard for God’s people in the New Covenant.

1 Corinthians 6:16-18: Sexual intimacy “unites” you with your spouse. Outside of marriage this is called “sexual immorality.”

1 Corinthians 7:1-2: Marriage is recommended avoid sexual immorality.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9: Premarital sex isn’t an option for dealing with lust. Marriage is once again recommended avoid sexual immorality.

Ephesians 5:31: Paul is affirming the Old Testament standard of uniting in flesh only with your spouse. One fleshness is to happen when a man is “united to his wife.”

1 Thessalonians 4:2-8: “Acquire a wife in a way that is holy and honorable” or you are in sexual immorality. Sexual sin harms others besides those who engage in it. Premarital sex “cheats” the future spouse by robbing him or her of the virginity that ought to be brought to marriage.

Hebrews 13:4: It is a pure marriage bed or you are an “adulterer” or “sexually immoral.”

1 Timothy 5:2: As a Christian man, if you are not married to her, then she is your sister whom you must treat “with absolute purity.”

2 Corinthians 11:2: Although this passage is talking about Christ and His people, it uses the analogy of a Christian man receiving his bride “as a pure virgin.” Virginity was the ideal. Premarital sex was viewed as sexual immorality – just as in the Old Testament.

2. If its about Fortification, I saw on one question that it’s sex w/ multiple partners?

Fornication is just sex before marriage.

3. What about Masturbation?

Judeo-Christian tradition has taught for thousands of years:
1. Single people should be celibate.
2. Married people should be faithful to each other (adultery is wrong).

The Catholic Church recognizes the power of sex when it teaches, “Sexuality affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul.”

Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person. A chaste person’s body and spirit lives in unity and opposes any behavior that would impair that unity.

Masturbation is contrary to the human dignity of the person, anyone about whom the person has lustful thoughts, and the dignity of human sexuality.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2352 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art6.shtml#2352

4. How is a kid growing up in such a messed up world supposed to understand what he is supposed to do about this stuff?

Parents are the primary teacher of the child. Early and regular Religious Education helps parents with things like this.

5. I want the facts straight, no controversy, just unbiased stuff.

Me too. God bless.

With love in Christ.

MarriageCounseling answers:

Try here. We believe that it is symbolic to Jesus marriage to the Church. Which is all of us Christians who are His bride.

“It has always been the unfailing teaching of the Catholic Church that sexual behavior it not only not sinful per se, but is in fact a blessing from almighty God. God orders the animals of the world – and most specifically the humans – to “be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis. Throughout the Bible, children are seen as a blessing on parents, and those who cannot have children are show as being unfortunate. Many times in the Bible, we see that God makes a miracle to give a couple who are childless or barren – Abraham and Sarah, Elizabeth and Zechariah – a baby that they so desperately want.

But sexuality is like every pleasure in this world – it is created for us to use in its proper place. When used correctly – in a sacramental union between a man and a woman open to the transmission of new life – then it is a holy and noble act, which in fact benefits the participants spiritually! When used in any other manner, then that act ceases to be spiritually beneficial and in fact becomes spiritually harmful.”

http://www.catholictelevision.org/resources/marriage.php

MarriageCounseling answers:

Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, AND THE BED UNDEFILED: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

MarriageCounseling answers:

Only the cool people. Whales tend not to get laid.