Premarital Sex

Understanding of Premarital Sex

• Premarital sex refers to engaging in sexual activity before marriage.
• The view on premarital sex varies greatly among different cultures, religions, and individual beliefs.

Religious Perspectives

Christianity

• The Bible does not expressly mention premarital sex, but it promotes sexual purity and the idea of sex within the confines of marriage.
• Catholic Church teaches that sex should only take place within a marriage and should be open to procreation.
• Protestant denominations have different views, but most discourage premarital sex.

Islam

• Islam strongly prohibits premarital sex. It insists on the concept of zina, which includes any sexual relations outside marriage.
• Some Muslims practise temporary marriage or ‘Nikah mut’ah’, permitted in Shia Islam, where a temporary marital contract allows for sexual relations.

Philosophical Viewpoints

• Utilitarianism: If premarital sex leads to happiness without causing harm, it can be considered moral.
• Kantian ethics: Kant would argue that sex outside marriage treats people merely as means to an end, which is immoral.
• Virtue ethics: This could depend on the virtues valued by the particular culture or individual. If honesty, respect and commitment are prioritised, premarital sex could be seen as morally wrong.

Societal Views

• Contemporary Western societies tend to be more liberal and accepting of premarital sex.
• Some societies view premarital sex as a rite of passage or an indicator of adulthood.
• Public opinion often links discussions of premarital sex to issues of contraception, sexual education, and women’s rights.