Blackwell Reference Online

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[xiii.b] Traditional Christian teaching sharply differentiates the sexes and their roles. Women have been subordinated to men, commonly excluded from the Ministry (see Women (in early christianity)), and suspected by some ascetics as sources of temptation. At the same time the place of the Virgin Mary and of female Saints is prominent in Catholic devotion (see Roman catholicism). Sexuality was closely connected with Sin (especially following St Augustine (see Augusti-nianism)) and Marriage regarded as a remedy for it. Pursuit of holiness in Monasticism involved a vow of chastity (abstention from sex and marriage); and virginity was highly valued. Homosexuality [42], abortion and contraception, as well as fornication (sex between unmarried persons) and adultery (sex between persons married to other partners), have all traditionally been regarded as serious sins. Roman Catholicism and some Sects in Protestantism have been particularly severe. But in recent years many Christians have taken a much more positive view of sexuality as good if rightly used. Artificial contraception is widely practised, even among Roman Catholics (despite condemnation by the Papacy, in 1968). Many Christians now accept abortion, though others (especially Roman Catholics) strongly oppose it. Divorce is widely accepted although Roman Catholicism officially allows only decrees of nullity (i.e. rulings that ... log in or subscribe to read full text