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Human sexuality and gender topics.
Topics of concern to many faith groups.

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There is an amazing diversity of beliefs about human sexuality among Christians, Jews, Muslims, the followers of other faith groups, and those who are not affiliated with any organized religion. Many faith groups seem obsessed with sex and gender matters.

	On matters related to human sexuality, Americans tend to be polarized between social and religious conservatives and liberals/progressives.
	Followers of non-Christian religions differ little from Christians on matters of sexual orientation.
	Conservatives from all religions tend to agree with each other: that only opposite-gender sexual behavior is moral, and then only between a man and a woman who are married to each other.
	Religious liberals are also largely in agreement among themselves, and tend to value sexual behavior as acceptable if it is consensual, at a low risk for pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease (STD) transmission, and if the persons are sufficiently mature, and perhaps if it occurs within a committed relationship.
	Those of no religious affiliation -- Agnostics, Atheists, Free Thinkers, Humanists, NOTAs (None of the Above) etc. -- tend to hold beliefs similar to those of religious liberals.
	Almost all groups disapprove of sexual behavior that is non-consensual, manipulative, forced, or unsafe. However, there are some profoundly misogynistic religious traditions that require women to submit to being raped by their husband.

Topics covered

	Definitions of terms: A glossary of sexual terms Sexual terms related to abuse of children and youth
	Teachings by various religious groups about human sexuality and engaging in sexual activity: Christianity: What did Jesus say about sex? How Christians' derive their beliefs about sex Church and Sexuality: A very turbulent relationship. An essay donated by Dean Akrill Changes in beliefs concerning women, slavery & homosexuality Teachings of the Roman Catholic Church Meanings of the Greek words "Pornea" and "Akatharsia" in the Bible What  the Bible says about: Homosexuality Same-sex marriage Eight biblical marriage/family types Comparing beliefs of four Christian denominations, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism concerning specific sexual acts   Beliefs of two more faith groups. Summary. Openness to sexual discussion by evangelical Christians
	Preventing pregnancies: Sexual abstinence & birth control (a.k.a. contraception) Reducing the abortion rate by minimizing unwanted pregnancies   Emergency contraceptives (EC), a.k.a. The "Morning After" Pill   An essay donated by Bjorn Philip Beer: "A hard pill to swallow: Catholic contraception policy"
	Abortion: All aspects Pagan & Christian beliefs 400 BCE -1980 CE Evolution of Roman Catholic positions: Overview Current Roman Catholic church teaching Exceptions to the Roman Catholic ban on abortion Cases where the Catholic ban on abortion may cause, rather than prevent, death Current Christian beliefs Jewish beliefs
	Child sexual abuse: Pedophilia Child sexual abuse by clergy Sex offenders: retributive justice may increase danger to society What faith groups can do to alleviate child sexual abuse How children disclose sexual abuse Books dealing with child sexual abuse See also ritual abuse and Satanic ritual abuse hoaxes.
	Other sexual topics: Bisexuality Castratism: Catholic policy on castrating choir boys, ~1500 to 1903 CE Circumcision:  The health benefits of circumcising males Contraceptives Homosexuality menu - all aspects Beliefs of various faith groups Same-sex marriage The HPV vaccine and cervical cancer Masturbation - all points of view Pre-marital sex Tantric sex Transgenderism, transsexualism and gender identity

Safer sex: Conflicts; the truth about safer sex Different beliefs about condoms Condom wars Disagreements over the effectiveness of condoms Objective information on condoms Resolving these differences in belief (Being written) Misinformation about sex-ed in Uganda

	Sex and the Internet Providing safe place for kids on the Internet
	Women's issues: Ordination of women Status of women Rape during wartime
	Youth issues: Conflicts and consensus on youth sexuality Results of some studies of interest to youth Sexual Abstinence/ virginity pledges Comparing adolescent pregnancy and abortion rates: U.S. & Europe
	News: Human sexuality in the media
	Reference material: Books discussing human sexuality. Books interpreting sexual passages in the Bible

Disclaimer:

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice. If you have any questions of a medical or legal nature, we strongly recommend that you contact a physician, sex information center, or lawyer.

Reference:

1. "American Religious Identification Survey," by The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, at: http://www.gc.cuny.edu/studies/

Copyright © 1997 to 2013, by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2013-MAY-12
Author: B.A. Robinson

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