What you'll learn
This topic examines religious and non-religious attitudes towards sexual relationships, focusing specifically on sex before marriage, cohabitation and homosexuality. You must understand Christian and Islamic teachings alongside secular perspectives, as WJEC GCSE Religious Education papers regularly test your ability to explain, evaluate and compare these different viewpoints. Questions typically carry between 2-15 marks and require both factual knowledge and analytical skills.
Key terms and definitions
Sex before marriage (fornication) — sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each other; also called pre-marital sex.
Cohabitation — living together in a sexual relationship without being married; sometimes called 'living in sin' by traditional religious communities.
Homosexuality — sexual attraction between members of the same sex; can refer to gay men or lesbian women.
Adultery — voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse; forbidden in all major religions.
Celibacy — abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, often for religious reasons; practised by Catholic priests and some religious communities.
Civil partnership — legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the UK (introduced 2004); offers similar legal rights to marriage.
Chastity — refraining from sexual intercourse before marriage or outside marriage; valued as a virtue in Christian and Islamic teaching.
Sacrament — an outward sign of inward grace in Christianity; Catholics view marriage as one of seven sacraments, making it sacred.
Core concepts
Christian views on sex before marriage
Traditional Christian teaching opposes sex before marriage based on several biblical principles:
Biblical foundation:
- The Ten Commandments prohibit adultery (Exodus 20:14), which Christians extend to all sexual immorality
- "Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18) — Paul's instruction to avoid fornication
- Marriage is described as two people becoming "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24), suggesting sex should unite married couples only
- The body is a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19) that should not be defiled
Catholic position: The Catholic Church maintains strict opposition to pre-marital sex. The Catechism teaches that sexual acts are only moral within marriage between a man and woman. Sex has two purposes: unitive (bringing the couple closer) and procreative (being open to creating life). Both purposes require the commitment of marriage. Catholic teaching emphasises chastity before marriage as essential spiritual discipline.
Protestant perspectives: Most Protestant denominations share opposition to sex before marriage but approaches vary:
- Evangelical churches typically hold conservative views, promoting abstinence education and purity pledges
- Liberal Protestant churches may emphasise the importance of committed, loving relationships over strict rules
- Some Anglicans accept sex within faithful, long-term relationships even without formal marriage
Modern Christian attitudes: Many Christians, particularly younger believers, now accept sex before marriage when in committed relationships. They argue biblical teachings emphasised faithfulness and love rather than legal marriage status, and that cultural contexts have changed since biblical times.
Christian views on cohabitation
Cohabitation has become increasingly common in Britain, yet religious responses remain mixed:
Traditional opposition:
- Cohabitation is viewed as "living in sin" because it involves ongoing sexual relations outside marriage
- Undermines the sacred nature of marriage as a lifelong covenant before God
- Sets a poor example for children and society
- The Church of England's teaching states that sex belongs within marriage, implying cohabitation is inappropriate
Pragmatic acceptance:
- Some clergy recognise cohabitation as a step towards marriage and will marry cohabiting couples
- Liberal Christians argue that committed, faithful cohabiting relationships embody Christian values of love and fidelity
- Practical considerations: housing costs, testing compatibility, modern social norms
- Many Christians cohabit, creating tension between official teaching and lived practice
Catholic stance: The Catholic Church does not recognise cohabitation as valid and teaches that couples should marry or separate. Priests may refuse to marry couples who are openly cohabiting without repentance, though practice varies by parish.
Christian views on homosexuality
Christian attitudes towards homosexuality represent one of the most divisive contemporary issues:
Conservative/Traditional view:
- Homosexual acts are sinful based on biblical passages: Leviticus 18:22 ("You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination") and Romans 1:26-27 (Paul condemns same-sex relations)
- The Catholic Church distinguishes between homosexual orientation (not sinful) and homosexual acts (sinful), expecting gay Catholics to remain celibate
- Many Evangelical and Pentecostal churches view homosexuality as contrary to God's design for human sexuality
- Marriage is defined as exclusively between one man and one woman
Liberal/Progressive view:
- Biblical passages reflect ancient cultural contexts and should not dictate modern ethics
- Jesus never mentioned homosexuality; his core message was love and inclusion
- Faithful, loving same-sex relationships embody Christian values
- The Church of England now offers blessings for same-sex couples (though not formal marriage ceremonies in most dioceses)
- Quaker, Methodist and United Reformed Church communities have varying degrees of acceptance, with some celebrating same-sex marriages
Current debates: The Church of England remains divided, with the 2023 proposal to bless same-sex couples (but not marry them) causing significant controversy. Some Anglican provinces (especially in Africa) maintain traditional views while Western churches increasingly affirm LGBTQ+ Christians.
Islamic views on sex before marriage
Islamic teaching unequivocally prohibits sex before marriage:
Qur'anic basis:
- "Do not go near to adultery. It is an outrageous act, and an evil way" (Qur'an 17:32)
- The term zina covers all unlawful sexual relations, including pre-marital sex
- Severe punishments are prescribed in Islamic law, though implementation varies widely
Reasons for prohibition:
- Protects family structure and ensures legitimate lineage
- Guards against sexually transmitted infections
- Maintains female honour and reputation
- Preserves spiritual purity
- Marriage (nikah) is the proper context for sexual expression
Modesty requirements: Islam emphasises modesty (haya) for both men and women. The hijab (modest dress for women) serves to reduce sexual temptation. Gender segregation in conservative Muslim communities aims to prevent opportunities for pre-marital relationships.
Muslim practice: Most Muslims worldwide uphold traditional prohibitions. Arranged marriages remain common, helping young people marry without engaging in pre-marital relationships. However, Western Muslims face tensions between Islamic values and secular culture where pre-marital sex is normalised.
Islamic views on cohabitation and homosexuality
Cohabitation: Islamic law does not recognise cohabitation as valid. Living together without nikah (Islamic marriage) constitutes ongoing zina. Muslim scholars uniformly reject cohabitation as incompatible with Islamic ethics. Even in non-Muslim countries, Muslims are expected to conduct Islamic marriage ceremonies before living together.
Homosexuality: Islamic teaching categorically prohibits homosexual acts:
- The Qur'an recounts the destruction of Sodom as punishment for homosexual practices (Qur'an 26:165-166)
- Hadith literature records Muhammad condemning homosexual behaviour
- All major schools of Islamic jurisprudence classify homosexual acts as sinful
- In some Muslim-majority countries, homosexual acts remain criminal offences
Muslim scholars distinguish between same-sex attraction (which may be involuntary) and homosexual acts (which are chosen and therefore sinful). Muslims experiencing same-sex attraction are expected to remain celibate. There is minimal acceptance of same-sex relationships within mainstream Islam, though small progressive Muslim groups advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Non-religious views
Secular perspectives on sexual relationships differ significantly from religious teachings:
Humanist position:
- Sexual ethics should be based on consent, honesty and mutual benefit rather than religious rules
- Sex before marriage is morally acceptable within committed, caring relationships
- Cohabitation is a valid lifestyle choice; the legal status of relationships matters less than their quality
- Same-sex relationships deserve equal respect and legal recognition
- Personal autonomy in sexual decisions should be protected
Arguments supporting sex before marriage:
- Allows couples to assess sexual compatibility before lifelong commitment
- Reflects natural human desires and modern contraception reduces risks
- Legal marriage is a social construct, not a moral necessity
- Sexual experience contributes to personal development
Arguments supporting cohabitation:
- Practical benefits: shared housing costs, testing compatibility
- Provides commitment without religious or legal constraints some find outdated
- Statistical evidence shows many cohabiting relationships are stable and fulfilling
- Modern alternative to marriage that suits secular lifestyles
Support for LGBTQ+ rights: Non-religious perspectives generally support full equality for LGBTQ+ people, including:
- Same-sex marriage (legal in UK since 2013)
- Adoption rights for same-sex couples
- Anti-discrimination protections in employment and services
- Recognition that sexual orientation is innate, not chosen
British legal context: UK law reflects increasingly secular values: the Equality Act 2010 protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation; same-sex marriage is legal; cohabiting couples have some legal protections. This legal framework often conflicts with traditional religious teachings.
Worked examples
Example 1: 2-mark question
Question: What is meant by 'cohabitation'? (2 marks)
Answer: Cohabitation means living together in a sexual relationship (1 mark) without being married (1 mark).
Examiner note: Define the term clearly and concisely. Two distinct elements earn full marks.
Example 2: 5-mark question
Question: Describe Christian attitudes towards sex before marriage. (5 marks)
Answer:
Traditional Christians oppose sex before marriage because the Bible teaches that sexual relations should only occur within marriage, as shown in 1 Corinthians 6:18 where Paul says "flee from sexual immorality" (1 mark). Catholics believe sex has unitive and procreative purposes that require the commitment of marriage (1 mark). The Catholic Catechism explicitly condemns pre-marital sex as sinful (1 mark).
However, some liberal Christians accept sex in committed relationships even without marriage (1 mark), arguing that the biblical emphasis on love and faithfulness matters more than legal marriage status (1 mark).
Examiner note: This answer covers traditional and modern views with specific references, earning full marks.
Example 3: 15-mark evaluation question
Question: "Religious rules about sexual relationships are out of date." Discuss this statement showing you have considered more than one point of view. (15 marks)
Answer structure:
Arguments supporting the statement:
- Modern contraception has changed the risks associated with sex before marriage, removing the danger of unwanted pregnancy that informed historical religious rules (developed argument worth 3-4 marks)
- Cohabitation is now socially accepted in Britain, with many stable, loving relationships existing outside marriage; religious opposition seems irrelevant to contemporary life (developed argument worth 3-4 marks)
- Understanding of homosexuality has evolved; scientific evidence shows sexual orientation is innate, not a choice, making religious condemnation appear unjust and discriminatory (developed argument worth 3-4 marks)
Arguments against the statement:
- Religious teachings provide timeless moral guidance that protects marriage, family stability and human dignity regardless of changing social trends; the increase in family breakdown may validate traditional wisdom (developed argument worth 3-4 marks)
- Religious rules promote chastity, faithfulness and commitment which remain valuable even in modern contexts; STI rates and relationship instability suggest secular approaches have problems too (developed argument worth 3-4 marks)
- For religious believers, these teachings come from God/scripture and therefore possess permanent authority that transcends cultural change; following them is essential to faith (developed argument worth 3-4 marks)
Conclusion: A clear, justified personal view (1-2 marks): "While I recognise that social contexts have changed significantly, religious perspectives still offer valuable insights about commitment and faithfulness that secular approaches sometimes neglect. However, rules about homosexuality seem incompatible with modern understanding of human rights and scientific knowledge about sexual orientation."
Examiner note: Aim for 3-4 developed paragraphs each side, with specific examples and religious references. Conclusions should be clearly stated and justified.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake: Treating all Christians or Muslims as having identical views on these issues. Correction: Distinguish between conservative and liberal perspectives within each religion; acknowledge diversity of practice and belief, particularly among Christians where views range widely.
Mistake: Simply stating "the Bible says" or "the Qur'an says" without specific quotations or references. Correction: Learn key passages: 1 Corinthians 6:18-19, Genesis 2:24, Qur'an 17:32. Quote selectively to support arguments and demonstrate textual knowledge.
Mistake: Confusing civil partnerships with marriage or not understanding the legal context. Correction: Know that civil partnerships (introduced 2004) gave same-sex couples legal recognition before same-sex marriage became legal (2013); both now exist as separate legal options.
Mistake: Claiming religious people cannot be LGBTQ+ or suggesting all religious believers oppose homosexuality. Correction: Many LGBTQ+ people hold religious faith; liberal religious communities increasingly affirm same-sex relationships; distinguish official teachings from individual believers' views.
Mistake: Writing about sex, cohabitation or homosexuality in judgmental or offensive language. Correction: Use neutral, respectful terminology throughout; describe religious teachings objectively without implying personal approval or disapproval; examiners expect mature, balanced responses.
Mistake: Providing only religious views when questions ask for religious AND non-religious perspectives. Correction: Always address humanist/secular positions when questions specify "religious and non-religious" views; these often emphasise consent, autonomy and equality rather than scripture or tradition.
Exam technique for sexual relationships questions
Command words matter: "Describe" questions (typically 5 marks) require factual explanation without evaluation; "Explain" questions need reasons or causes; "Evaluate" or "Discuss" questions (12-15 marks) require balanced arguments with justified conclusions.
Structure extended responses systematically: For 15-mark questions, write 3-4 developed paragraphs supporting the statement, then 3-4 paragraphs challenging it, followed by a clear conclusion. Each developed paragraph should make a point, provide evidence (quotation, example, teaching), and explain its significance.
Use specialist terminology: Incorporate terms like fornication, zina, chastity, celibacy, cohabitation, sacrament naturally throughout answers. This demonstrates subject knowledge and typically earns higher marks for quality of written communication.
Reference religious sources specifically: Generic references to "the Bible" or "religious texts" score lower than specific citations like "1 Corinthians 6:19" or "Qur'an 17:32." Learn at least 2-3 key quotations for each subtopic and deploy them strategically in answers.
Quick revision summary
Christianity traditionally opposes sex before marriage, cohabitation and homosexuality based on biblical teaching (1 Corinthians 6:18-19, Genesis 2:24), though liberal Christians increasingly accept committed relationships outside marriage and same-sex partnerships. Islam prohibits all sexual relations outside marriage (zina) and rejects homosexual acts, based on Qur'anic teaching (17:32) and Hadith. Non-religious views emphasise consent and equality, supporting LGBTQ+ rights and accepting cohabitation and pre-marital sex within caring relationships. UK law reflects secular values with same-sex marriage legal since 2013. WJEC questions test knowledge of different perspectives, requiring balanced evaluation with specific religious references.