Sexual ethics

I WAS VERY disappointed by William Willimon's review of Lauren Winner's Real Sex (June 14). To claim that sex is "good," "ethical" or "moral" based solely on marriage status is lazy. There is no attempt here to define any kind of Christian ethic other than "be married or be without." If mainline churches should adjust anything in their sexual attitudes and teaching, this type of laziness masquerading as a "Christian ethic" should top the list. There are certainly sexual acts happening in relationships outside of marriage in which the partners are more respectful and concerned for each other's well-being than in many marriages. Marriage does not make sex ethical.

Once again our homosexual sisters and brothers are left out in the cold. Because they are 'not allowed to marry legally (or, often, ecclesially), all sexuality within homosexual relationships is deemed immoral or at least "less or non-Christian."

So that this response is not read as a defensive letter of one outside of the article's boundaries, let it be noted that I am an engaged-to-be-married virgin who will be having sexual intercourse for the first time on my wedding night. For my fiancee and me this is the best way--but certainly not the only "Christian" way.

Jeremiah Williamson

Madison, N. J.

The time for sexuality education comes long before a person goes off to college. Our young people (and their parents/caretakers) are begging for age-appropriate, medically accurate and comprehensive information about issues of sexuality. There are churches actively engaged in the ministry of human sexuality. The United Church of Christ, along with the Unitarian Universalist Association, published an age-span resource in 2000. Our Whole Lives is being taught in hundreds of congregations--including many denominations other than the UCC and UUA.

Through this material, based on the values of responsibility, self-worth, sexual health, justice and inclusivity, thousands of our children and youth are being given life-affirming and lifesaving information--in their faith communities. And the church ceilings aren't falling in!

Ann L. Hanson

Justice and Witness Ministries, UCC, Cleveland, Ohio

COPYRIGHT 2005 The Christian Century Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning