“Judaism demands that all men and women experience sex the best way. And that is, where they can have really uninhibited sex because they are devoted to each other. They are not ashamed to be around one another because they are totally committed.”
Clean and Unclean
The words “clean" and "unclean" (tahor / taharah and tameh/ tumah) usually refer to a discussion of the Jewish Laws of toharat ha'mishpacha, family purity. The laws relate to sexual relations and menstruation. These rules inform us that a woman enters the state of "tameh" when she is "niddah" (menstruating). During this time the couple must refrain from all physical contact, especially sexual relations. After the cessation of her menstrual flow, the women counts seven days before immersing herself in a mikva, a ritual bath, after which sexual relations between man and wife can then continue.
Oral sex
”Basically, the Torah prohibits intentional destruction of seed. Some say that oral sex does not constitute this since the couple is not looking to frustrate the impregnation process but rather simply to do something different. The most important thing is always to have a healthy sex life with your spouse.”
Masturbation is not acceptable to Orthodox Jews because it is perceived as wasting sperm.
Polygamy
Polygamy was permitted in Biblical times and this issue is discussed in the context of contemporary society in here
Abortion
Halacha (Jewish law) defines when a fetus becomes a nefesh (person). "...a baby...becomes a full-fledged human being when the head emerges from the womb. Before then, the fetus is considered a 'partial life.' " In the case of a "feet-first" delivery, it happens when most of the foetal body is outside the mother's body.
Jewish beliefs and practice are neither the "pro-life" nor the "pro-choice" points of view.
The general principles of modern-day Judaism are that:
• The fetus has great value because it is potentially a human life. It gains "full human status at birth only."
• Abortions are not permitted on the grounds of genetic imperfections of the fetus.
• Abortions are permitted to save the mother's life or health.
• With the exception of some Orthodox authorities, Judaism supports abortion access for women.
"...each case must be decided individually by a rabbi well-versed in Jewish law."
One case involved a woman who becomes pregnant while nursing a child. Her milk supply would dry up. If the child is allergic to all other forms of nutrition except for its mother's milk, then it would starve. An abortion would be permitted in this case. An abortion of the fetus, a potential person, would be justified to save the life of the child, an actual person.
An abortion would be permissible if the woman was suicidal because of her pregnancy.
Jewish authorities differed in a case where a continued pregnancy would leave the mother permanently deaf. She obtained permission for an abortion from the Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Many Jewish authorities permit abortion in the case of a pregnancy resulting from a rape, if needed in order save her great mental anguish.
Most authorities do not permit abortion in the event that the fetus is genetically defective or will probably pick up a disease from its mother. The rationale is that even though the child will be malformed, disabled, or diseased, it would still be formed in the image of the creator. However some Rabbis allow first trimester abortion of a fetus which would be born with a deformity that would cause it to suffer, and termination of a fetus with a lethal foetal defect such as Tay Sachs up to the end of the second trimester of gestation."
An abortion is sometimes permitted if the woman suffers great emotional pain about the birth of a child who will experience health problems.
Abortions are not permitted for economic reasons, to avoid career inconveniences, or because the woman is unmarried.
Contraception
Jewish Law prohibits men from destroying or wasting seed (coitus interruptus/withdrawal and condom use). The use of condoms, however, may be acceptable if it is protecting against the spread of an incurable sexually transmitted disease.
Hormonal forms of birth control, such as pills, patches, injections and implants, are acceptable.
While many orthodox Jews believe that God does the family planning, and birth control is not a necessity, Jewish Law does clearly permit birth control in certain circumstances. The Talmud recognizes the use of birth control by women who are very young or nursing. Birth control is acceptable if a couple already has a boy and a girl. Birth control may be advised when pregnancy poses a risk to the mother or baby.
Buddhism
Buddhists are the arbiters of their own destiny. Cultural and other influences apart, they are free to act according to their own insights and understanding. They are, however, taught to act responsibly and to take complete responsibility for the effects of these actions. In acting thus they would be guided by certain personal undertakings. Foremost amongst these would be the undertaking to avoid intentional harm to any living (breathing) thing, cultivating as integral to this, genuine attitudes of loving kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna) with regard to them.
(Source: The Buddhist Society)
Basic Beliefs of Buddhism
The basic beliefs of Buddhism can be demonstrated in the following concepts and doctrines:
The Four Noble Truths
The First Noble Truth is the existence of suffering. Birth is painful and death is painful; disease and old age are painful. Not having what we desire is painful and having what we do not desire is also painful.
The Second Noble Truth is the cause of suffering. It is the craving desire for the pleasures of the senses, which seeks satisfaction now here, now there; the craving for happiness and prosperity in this life and in future lives.
The Third Noble Truth is the ending of suffering. To be free of suffering one must give up, get rid of, extinguish this very craving, so that no passion and no desire remain.
The Fourth Noble Truth leads to the ending of all pain by way of the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path
The first step on that path is Right Views: You must accept the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
The second is Right Resolve: You must renounce the pleasures of the senses; you must harbour no ill will toward anyone and harm no living creature.
The third is Right Speech: Do not lie; do not slander or abuse anyone. Do not indulge in idle talk.
The fourth is Right Behaviour: Do not destroy any living creature; take only what is given to you; do not commit any unlawful sexual act.
The fifth is Right Occupation: You must earn your livelihood in a way that will harm no one.
The sixth is Right Effort: You must resolve and strive heroically to prevent any evil qualities from arising in you and to abandon any evil qualities that you may possess. Strive to acquire good qualities and encourage those you do possess to grow, increase, and be perfected.
The seventh is Right Contemplation: Be observant, strenuous, alert, contemplative, and free of desire and of sorrow.
The eighth is Right Meditation: When you have abandoned all sensuous pleasures, all evil qualities, both joy and sorrow, you must then enter the four degrees of meditation, which are produced by concentration.
Buddhist Precepts
There are five precepts taught by Buddhism that all Buddhists should follow:
1. Kill no living thing.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not commit adultery.
4. Tell no lies.
5. Do not drink intoxicants or take drugs.
Other precepts apply only to monks and nuns:
1. Eat moderately and only at the appointed time.
2. Avoid that which excites the senses.
3. Do not wear adornments.
4. Do not sleep in luxurious beds.
5. Accept no silver or gold.
Sacred Scriptures
In Theravada (Southeast Asian) Buddhism, there are three groups of writings considered to be Holy Scripture, known as the "Three Baskets" (Tripitaka).
• Vinaya Pitaka (discipline basket) contains rules for the higher class of Buddhists
• Sutta Pitaka (teaching basket) contains the discourses of Buddha
• Abidhamma Pitaka (metaphysical basket) contains Buddhist theology.
Mahayana (Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc.) Buddhism contains an incredibly large amount of holy writings, over five thousand volumes. The oldest scriptures are based on Sanskrit, while others have been written in Nepalese, Tibetan, and Chinese. There are no clear limits as to what should be admitted as scripture, so thousands of writings on the topic have been admitted
Sex and Buddhism
The Fourth step is Right Behaviour:
Do not destroy any living creature; take only what is given to you; do not commit any unlawful sexual act.
Contraception
Buddhism is a religion that strives to end suffering. There is no clear, unified Buddhist concept on sexuality in general. The ambiguity surrounding Buddhist sexuality is caused by the numerous Buddhist denominations around the world. Unlike many other religions, Buddhism sees the use of contraception as not only being completely justifiable under Buddhist doctrine, but the use is also viewed as being a legitimate means of controlling population growth. One reason why Buddhists approve of the use of contraception is due to their drive to end suffering. If the care of a child forces the parents to live in such a way that they cannot properly sustain themselves the entire family will suffer. Contraception, aside from celibacy, is the only way that a family in this situation can avoid the suffering caused by the birth of a child to which they cannot support. Buddhist monks in Asia advocate the use of contraception in order to control over population. Contraception truly is the easiest way to prevent pregnancy and is the option that is most concordant with Buddhist beliefs. Abortion is another way to control population size, but unlike the use of contraception, abortions destroy life, which is sacred to Buddhists
And for those who cannot control their desire for sexual pleasure, contraception is viewed as essential
Abortion
“Traditionally for Buddhists, the life process begins at the moment of conception, when a being's consciousness “enters" the conjoined egg and sperm of the parents. Because life begins at the moment of fertilization, there is thought to be no difference between an early and a late abortion. Although a fetes is not regarded as having a fully developed "personality," in the Western sense of the word, it is regarded as being a "person," complete with the five aggregates that serve as the basis of determining personal identity: form, feelings, perceptions, karmic formations, and consciousness.
In addition to the physical aggregate, a fetus is said to have feelings of heat, cold, pain, and discomfort; perceptions of being cramped, bounced, and restricted; karmic formations, including the "imprints" of actions created in past lives; and a momentary stream of consciousness that carries the imprints of actions that being has created in past lives. According to the quality of those actions, the being will experience pleasure or pain, and live a long or short lifespan, in happy or unhappy circumstances.
The Buddhist texts make no case for the legal rights of a fetus, nor do they mention abortion in circumstances of rape, incest, severe deformity, or cases of mental, physical, or emotional abuse. (1) His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is watching closely to see whether medical research is able to determine precisely when the consciousness enters the fertilized egg, whether at the time of conception or perhaps somewhat later. In 1992, he voiced the unorthodox and controversial view that:
There might be situations in which, if the child will be so severely handicapped that it will undergo great suffering, abortion is permissible. In general, however, abortion is the taking of life and is not appropriate. The main factor is motivation” (http://www.fnsa.org/fall98/tsomo1.html)
The traditional Buddhist view takes into account the happiness of both the unborn fetus and the pregnant woman, not only in this life, but in all future rebirths, and this is beyond the ability of ordinary people to see. The soul of an aborted foetus returns to that place where souls reside until it is time for it so come back into this world. Abortion is not murder, it is part of that soul's fate.
Buddhist thinking on reproductive ethics recognizes the complexity of the issues. Today traditional Buddhist perspectives are being examined anew in light of technological discoveries such as amniocentesis and non-surgical abortion techniques such as the RU486 pill developed in France.
There are no moral absolutes in Buddhism and it is recognized that ethical decision-making involves a complex nexus of causes and conditions. "Buddhism" encompasses a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices, and the final moral authority for actions is the individual herself.
When making moral choices, individuals are advised to examine their motivation, whether aversion, attachment, ignorance, wisdom, or compassion and to weigh the consequences of their actions in light of the Buddha's teachings. Moral ambiguity, conflicting values, and, in the case of abortion, extenuating circumstances such as multiple birth defects, severe poverty, and dangers to the mother's health or life, are acknowledged.
“Lama: For Buddhists, abortion is difficult. It’s a question of morality, or ethics. But still, it’s a relative question. Let’s say that you don’t have an abortion and that the next twenty years of your life are miserable. And even more misery comes from that. Yet you think nothing of killing fish and small animals. Relatively, which is worse? Good and bad are relative; good karma and bad karma are relative. I’m not making any statement here; it’s just something for you to think about.”
At a course on death and rebirth, London, 1981 (http://www.fpmt.org/teachings/ly/marriage.asp)
Hinduism
Hinduism is a way of life as well as a religion. In Hinduism, four possible approaches to life are acceptable:
• Karma – the pursuit of pleasure
• Artha – the pursuit of power and material wealth
• Dharma – the pursuit of the moral life
• Moksha – the pursuit of liberation through the negation of the self.
The Hindu religion has evolved over thousands of years and is extremely diverse with a varied mythology and a complex approach to practice. However, many positive approaches to sexuality can be found in Hinduism
Hinduism developed from indigenous religions of India in combination with Aryan religions brought to India around 1500 BC. The goals of Hinduism are the release from repeated reincarnation through the practice of yoga, adherence to Vedic scriptures, and devotion to a personal guru. Various deities are worshipped at shrines; the Divine Trinity-representing the cyclical nature of the universe-are: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer.
Hinduism is based on the concept that human and animal spirits reincarnate, or come back to earth to live many times in different forms. The belief that souls move up and down an infinite hierarchy depending on the behaviours they practiced in their life is visible in many of the Hindu societal policies. The caste system survives and charity towards others is unheard of because each individual deserves to be in the social class they were born in. A person is born into the highest class because they behaved well in a past life, and a person is born into poverty and shame because of misbehaviours in a past life.
Today, a Hindu can believe in more than one god, one god, or be pantheistic (seeing god and the universe are one), agnostic (unsure if god exists), or atheistic (no god) and still claim to be Hindu. This open theology makes it difficult to discuss basic beliefs since there are many ideas about what Hinduism means.
Central to Hinduism are the concepts of reincarnation, the caste system, merging with Brahman (or the ultimate reality), finding morality, and reaching Nirvana (the peaceful escape from the cycle of reincarnation).
Religious documents include Sruti, (what is heard) and Smriti, (what is remembered). The Sruti include deeply religious things communicated to a seer and recorded.
The Vedas, the religious writings, include mantras (hymns of praise), brahmanas (sacrificial rituals) and upanishads (108 sacred teachings). The Smriti include the law (books of laws), puranas (myths, stories, legends) and epics (sets of holy myths including Ramayana and Mahabharata).
The Hindu paths to salvation include the way of works (rituals), the way of knowledge (realization of reality and self-reflection), and the way of devotion (devotion to the god that you choose to follow). If the practitioner follows the paths of these ways, salvation can be achieved.
Sex and Hinduism
Premarital sex is looked down upon and avoided.
Hindu beliefs on abortion
Abortion tends to be disapproved of as Hindus believe that both physical and spiritual life enter the human embryo at the moment of conception. To Hindus all life is sacred. However, in keeping with the diversity within the Hindu faith there are varying views on the subject of abortion and there is evidence that abortion is an accepted part of modern life for many Hindus. India is a country where over 80 percent of the population are Hindus and Hindu religious bodies hold strong views on most moral issues. Despite this, abortion was legalised in India in 1971 in cases of rape, incest and for the mental health of the woman if she would be adversely affected by the birth of an unwanted child
See also http://www.duncanentertainment.com/interview_rambachan.php from which the paragraph below is quoted.
“if there were a conflict between the interests of the mother and the interests of the embryo then the tradition would give to the mother the choice of aborting the fetus. So in India today, a woman can have an abortion if the fetus presents problems to her physical or her mental health. So, for example, in case of rape, in cases of incest, if the pregnancy is a threat in any sense to the health of the mother or also if a contraceptive device has failed. It would be seen as causing such great anguish to the well being of the mother that an abortion is legally permissible … Yes we agree that the embryo is an evolving and a developing human being, but at the same time the tradition has not absolutized its rights to exist especially in relation to the to the well being of the mother”
For Hindu beliefs on contraception
Contraception
All methods of contraception are permitted. Arguments for family planning can be found in many moral teachings and epic stories such as the Mahabharat, which ‘offers great praise for the Pandavas, who served as one of the Hindu prototypes of the ideal family. The Pandavashave small families and are exemplary in meeting the exacting demands of dharma’
Many Hindus believe that it is their duty to produce a son, since only sons can perform the funeral rites that enable a man’s soul to go to heaven. Sons are therefore needed to say prayers to ensure survival in the next world. A son is known as ‘putra’ – he who saves from hell. Contraception is therefore not generally practiced until the birth of a son or sons
see an interview http://www.duncanentertainment.com/interview_rambachan.php from which the paragraph below is quoted.
“Hindu tradition does not have any objection to the use of contraception as a matter of ensuring small families. In fact, if we go back to the earliest scriptural sources of Hinduism, the Vedas, we find references there to certain kinds of contraceptive matters to prevent birth. So the tradition would be fully supportive of contraception as a matter of birth control.”
Christianity
The central figure in Christianity is Jesus (or Christ), a Jew who came into this world by immaculate conception to a virgin named Mary. His birth is celebrated at Christmas with hymns and gift giving. This man was not only man, but also the son of God and lived his life without sin.
During his lifetime, Jesus performed many miracles and spoke to many people about his father in heaven. He was arrested for claiming to be God's son and was hung on the cross by the Romans at age 33. Christians believe that the suffering and death upon the cross which this sinless man endured paid for the sins of all mankind, and because of Jesus' actions, salvation can be achieved by anyone who believes in him. This act of sacrifice is remembered during Lent.
Following his death, Christians believe that he rose from the grave (celebrated at Easter) and returned to the earth, appearing to his followers and telling them of the kingdom of God to which he was going. He also promised his disciples that he would return one day to bring all believers with him to that kingdom, to enjoy eternal life in the presence of God.
Christians can read of the life of Jesus, as well as his ancestors in the only Christian holy text, the Bible. It consists of the Old Testament (which is also considered sacred to Judaism and Islam) and the New Testament. The Old Testament chronicles the lives of Jews and others who lived before Jesus, who had been promised a saviour by God, and were waiting for him. This text contains many stories about people demonstrating faith in God and also provides historical information about the era. The New Testament is unique to Christianity, for it centres around the figure of Jesus and his effect on the world. Christians believe that Jesus is the one that the Old Testament foretold, so instead of looking for a saviour, they await the return of Jesus so that he can take them to his kingdom, or heaven.
The beliefs of Christianity can be seen in the words of the Apostles' Creed, a document which was written to distinguish Christianity from other religions and show basic Christian doctrine in a concise manner.
The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell;
The third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian Church,
The Communion of Saints,
the Forgiveness of sins,
The Resurrection of the body,
And the Life everlasting.
Amen
The Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church in the world. It claims direct historical descent from the church founded by the apostle Peter. The Pope in Rome is the spiritual leader of all Roman Catholics. He administers church affairs through bishops and priests. Members accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible, as well as the church's interpretations of these. God's grace is conveyed through seven Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, or Communion, celebrated at Mass-the regular worship service. The other six Sacraments are: Baptism-cleansing a soul of the legacy of Adam and Eve's Original Sin; Confirmation-reaffirmation of one's Catholic faith; Penance-confession of sins and prayer; Holy Orders-ordination into priesthood; Matrimony-church-sanctioned marriage; Extreme Unction-anointing of the dying. Redemption through Jesus Christ is professed as the sole method of obtaining salvation, which is necessary to ensure a place in heaven after life on earth.
Sex and Christianity
Sexual intercourse is acceptable only within marriage. One of the 10 Commandments rules against adultery, so sex before marriage or outside marriage is prohibited. Most Christian groups are monogamous. Some denominations do not recognise divorce and remarriage.
Contraception and Abortion
The Christian church teaches that life is a sacred gift from God:
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26-27)
Contraception or birth control may be used for a variety of reasons:
• When pregnancy or childbirth might harm the mental or physical condition of the mother.
• To limit the number of children which people have in order not to damage their living standards and perhaps affect other children.
• By people who have sexual relationships but who do not want to have children at this stage in their lives.
The various Christian churches have different views on types of contraception that can be used.
• The Roman Catholic Church says that the use of contraception is against Natural Law (not in keeping with human nature). It is natural that conception may happen with sexual intercourse and therefore this should not be prevented. The only form of contraception permitted is the rhythm method where intercourse takes place at a time when the woman is not fertile. Condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS and HIV is contentious within the Catholic Church and the predominant teaching is Abstinence only, although more liberal groups subscribe to ABC (Abstain, Be Faithful and if not use a Condom)
• Both the Anglican and Methodist Churches allow all methods of contraception.
• Most practising Christian groups follow the principle of abstinence only until monogamous marriage.
Abortion
Christian teaching on abortion is complex. An early Christian document, the Didache, condemns it:
“You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb”
The Bible appears to say that life begins when the baby is in the mother's womb:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13)
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1:5)
None of the Christian Churches believe that abortion should be encouraged and all agree that it should only be used in the most serious circumstances.
• The Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes abortion in every instance except when it is the inevitable result of a necessary treatment given to the mother (double effect). The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the foetus is a human being from the moment of conception, and that its rights to life are equal to that of the mother's. See an anti-abortion perspective at http://www.acdp.org.za/issues/abortion.asp
• See Also Culture Bank: Abortion in South Africa
Baha’I Faith
“The Bahá'í Faith upholds the unity of God, recognizes the unity of His Prophets, and inculcates the principle of the oneness and wholeness of the entire human race. It proclaims the necessity and the inevitability of the unification of mankind, asserts that it is gradually approaching, and claims that nothing short of the transmuting spirit of God, working through His chosen Mouthpiece in this day, can ultimately succeed in bringing it about. It, moreover, enjoins upon its followers the primary duty of an unfettered search after truth, condemns all manner of prejudice and superstition, declares the purpose of religion to be the promotion of amity and concord, proclaims its essential harmony with science, and recognizes it as the foremost agency for the pacification and the orderly progress of human society. It unequivocally maintains the principle of equal rights, opportunities and privileges for men and women, insists on compulsory education, eliminates extremes of poverty and wealth, abolishes the institution of priesthood, prohibits slavery, asceticism, mendicancy and monasticism, prescribes monogamy, discourages divorce, emphasizes the necessity of strict obedience to one's government, exalts any work performed in the spirit of service to the level of worship, urges either the creation or the selection of an auxiliary international language, and delineates the outlines of those institutions that must establish and perpetuate the general peace of mankind.” (Source www.bahai.com)
The Baha'i Faith believes there is only one God who is "unknowable" and indescribable. He is revealed throughout history by a number of divine Messengers. These Messengers include Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Krisna, and Muhammad. The latest of these divine Messengers was Baha'u'llah whose role, along with past Messengers, was to educate humanity. The Baha'i believe that God continually sends Messengers and the past prophets are all manifestations of the same spirit. Baha'u'llah is the most recent manifestation. Since all past religions and religious texts come from God, Baha'is study these texts to see how Baha'u'llah fulfils the prophecies.
1844 is the pivotal year in which the Bab received His message from God. For the Baha'is this year coincides with the maturation of humanity. Baha'is believe the old world orders are in the process of crumbling and giving way to a world in which the principles of Baha'i are established.
Some basic Baha'i Faith principles are:
1. Independent Search of Truth
2. Oneness of the Human Race
3. Unity of Religion
4. Harmony of Science and Religion
5. Equality of the Sexes
6. Compulsory Education
7. A Universal Language
8. Abolition of Extreme Wealth and Poverty
9. Universal Peace
10. The Elimination of Prejudice
(Melton, 1996A:837)
There are no clergy in the Baha'i Faith, so members learn about their faith through reading and weekly gatherings. Work is an integral part of their faith and is considered part of their daily worship. Having a job is seen as serving mankind. Each member's duty is to study the faith and spread the teachings of the Baha'i. Each Baha'i takes on the role of a clergy member by individually reading and discovering the meanings of the texts. As the principle of Independent Search of Truth states each individual can offer their own interpretation of the Baha'i texts. Since there is no hierarchy in the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah created the Administrative Order, a set of guidelines for the selecting and running of the Baha'i councils on local, national and world levels.
Baha'is follow the laws of the Ten Commandments. They also forbid gambling, alcohol, drug abuse, and gossip. They strive to live a life of high moral standards emphasizing honesty, trustworthiness, service to others, chastity, purity of motive, generosity, unity, and work as a form of worship. (The Baha'is)
The number nine has significant importance in the Baha'i Faith. The Arabic word baha's numerical value is nine. Nine is also the number of openings in the human body therefore, "an organizing principle of the entire universe."(Stockman:66) Celebrations include an annual fasting time and 8 other holy days in remembrance of events in the lives of the founders. New Year's Day is celebrated on March 21. (Melton, 1996A:837). On holy days, Baha'is do not work and this is considered a sacrifice.
Sex and the Baha’i Faith
In the Baha'i faith sexual relations before or outside marriage are never acceptable, homosexuality and transexuality are seen as abnormalities.
"… according to the Bahá'í Teachings no sexual act can be considered lawful unless performed between lawfully married persons. Outside of marital life there can be no lawful or healthy use of the sex impulse. The Bahá'í youth should, on the one hand, be taught the lesson of self- control which, when exercised, undoubtedly has a salutary effect on the development of character and of personality in general, and on the other should be advised, nay even encouraged, to contract marriage while still young and in full possession of their physical vigour. Economic factors, no doubt, are often a serious hindrance to early marriage, but in most cases are only an excuse, and as such should not be overstressed."
(From a letter dated 13 December 1940 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
Shoghi Effendi (1896-1957) was the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and his interpretations of the Baha'i Writings are still in effect and accepted as authoritative and binding.
"A Chaste and Holy Life" can be found in full at
http://bahai-library.com/compilations/chaste.life.html
Such a chaste and holy life, with its implications of modesty, purity, temperance, decency, and clean-mindedness, involves no less than the exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements, and all artistic and literary avocations. It demands daily vigilance in the control of one's carnal desires and corrupt inclinations. It calls for the abandonment of a frivolous conduct, with its excessive attachment to trivial and often misdirected pleasures. It requires total abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, from opium, and from similar habit-forming drugs. It condemns the prostitution of art and of literature, the practices of nudism and of companionate marriage, infidelity in marital relationships, and all manner of promiscuity, of easy familiarity, and of sexual vices....
("The Advent of Divine Justice" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1984), p. 30)
Sikhism
A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago by Guru Nanak, who was born in Punjab, India, in 1469. Sikhs believe here is only One God, and He is the same God for all people of all religions. The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book, and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide, and is ranked as the world's 5th largest religion.
Sikhism is the youngest of the world's four great monotheistic religions.
The view that Sikhism is a variety of Hinduism gives great offence to Sikhs.
There are 18-20 million Sikhs in the world, and 80% of them live in the Punjab state in Northwest India, where the faith began.
Sikhs attend a religious service at a Gurdwara (meaning house, or residence of God) once a week.
The word "Sikh" is Punjabi for "disciple" and Sikhs are disciples of the Gurus.
Sikh men are particularly easy to identify because they all have a full beard, and wear their hair uncut and contained in a turban.
The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara or temple.
Sikhism does not have priests, but most gurdwaras will have a Granthi. A Granthi is a learned Sikh who is skilled in reading the scriptures, however, a Granthi has no special religious status.
The principal Sikh scripture is the Adi Granth, often called the Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikhs believe that the words of these scriptures are the present day embodiment of the Sikh Guru and they treat the book with the respect and devotion that they would have given to a human Guru.
Sikhism does not actively look for converts, but it is thoroughly welcoming to those who do want to convert.
The essence of being a Sikh is that one lives one's life according to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, devotes time to meditating on God and the scriptures, and does things to benefit other people.
Sikhs believe that there is a single, all-powerful God, who created the universe and everything in it.
Sikhism emphasises social and gender equality, and stresses the importance of behaving altruistically.
• Equality: Everyone is equal in God's eyes; whatever their caste, creed, or gender.
• God is accessible without priests: Everyone can be directly in touch with God. There are no clergy in Sikhism.
• Accept other faiths: Sikhs do not believe that any religion has a monopoly on the truth. They do not regard Sikhism as the only way to God.
• Live in the world: One should live a responsible life as part of the community. Withdrawing from the world or becoming an ascetic are not as worthwhile.
• No ritual for its own sake: Empty ritual is meaningless and should be avoided.
• Devotion can take the form of action as well as prayer: Personal devotion includes Nam simran (meditation on and awareness of God) and Sewa (community service).
• A good world is just and fair to all: Social justice is to be supported. The use of force as a last resort is justified to uphold it.
• Death is not the end: Death is seen as the transition to a life where the joy of being in the presence of God can be fully realised.
Sikhism and Sex
Contraception
Sikhs believe in monogamy and great importance is attached to high moral character, modesty and sexual morality. One of the five Ks (Religious Symbol) of Sikhs is Kachhahra, which is a special pair of shorts worn as an undergarment by all initiated Sikhs, both men and women. This highlights the importance attached to sexual morality in Sikhism. Traditionally in Sikhism, like many other religions, the family size used to be large. However, attitudes today are beginning to change. Birth control through the use of contraception is an acceptable practice within Sikhism and family size is usually small. As there is no actual religious prohibition, acceptance of family planning has grown in line with social and cultural changes
Abortion
Abortion is accepted only in extreme circumstances such
as rape or to save the mother’s life
