Just to clarify - I can understand the Catholic perspective in which it is forbidden to have certain kinds of intercourse but not others with the intent of preventing conception. However, I cannot understand applying those same rules to a couple who cannot have children and who cannot have normal intercourse because of medical reasons.
I would like to see the elaboration of Commandment #6, though I’m still not convinced of the necessity for the extent of elaboration – though, I’m also not Catholic, so that’s probably why!
Sorry for the delay! Here is what I pulled up–the subheadings under You shall not commit adultery…it encompasses all of those ‘areas’ that fall under adultery. Now, if someone rapes another person–it is a crime, but falls under the category of adultery. It could also probably fall under thou shalt not kill, because you could be seen as killing someone’s emotional well being, by raping him/her. Divorce, in the context of remarrying someone without an annulment, would be considered adultery. So, that is how the RCC categorizes those areas, falling under Adultery.
The Sixth Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery”
Adultery—Adultery is marital infidelity. A married person who has sexual relations with anyone but their lawful spouse, even transient sexual relations, commits adultery (CCC 2380).
Divorce—The grave sin of divorce condemns those who divorce and remarry (Matthew 5:32) and those who divorce in the civil sense (except by grave dispensation). Hence divorce between two baptized Christians is a mortal sin (CCC 2384).
Fornication—Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman and is a grave sin (CCC 2353). St. Paul condemns fornication in his epistle 1 Corinthians 6:18. All aspects of intimate contact associated with the marriage act also constitute fornication for Jesus said, “I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 9:28). If lustful looks are adulterous, how much worse is lustful physical contact?
Pornography—Pornography is the display of intimate real or simulated sexual acts to a third party. Because it removes the marriage act from within the sacramental sanctity of marriage, and perverts sex, it is gravely contrary to charity (CCC 2354). The display of pornography to children and other parties is especially gravely sinful because it is gravely scandalous.
Prostitution—Prostitution reduces a person to an instrument of sexual pleasure and lust. It is gravely contrary to charity and chastity and defiles the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. However, destitution, blackmail or social pressure can reduce the gravity of the sin. Still, prostitution is always a sin (CCC 2355).
Rape—A person who commits rape violates the respect, freedom, physical and moral integrity of the victim. It is a brutal crime of violence that can physically and psychologically scar a person for life. It is thus a grave sin (CCC 2356).
Homosexual acts—Although it remains to be determined if homosexuality is a genetic, social or personal stigma, homosexual acts are condemned by God and can NEVER be approved by the Church (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Genesis 19:1-29, Romans 1:24-27 and CCC 2357). If homosexuals are born with the condition, then they are called to live a life of Christian purity and chastity for the greater love of Christ. Such people can experience a life of trial, which all others must treat with compassion and sensitivity.
Incest—“Incest is intimate relations between relatives or in-laws within a degree that prohibits marriage between them” (CCC 2388). St. Paul condemns incest in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:1,4-5).
Masturbation—“Masturbation is the deliberate stimulation of the sexual organs in order to derive sexual pleasure” (CCC 2352). The Church teaches that sex has two main purposes that must be sought in the marriage act: sex is for reproduction of children within a valid marriage, and it is a loving, unifying act between husband and wife. Masturbation violates both aspects of the natural law and is thus a grave sin.
We believe the RCC to be the fullness of the faith…and in following it, we are believing that this is the work of the Holy Spirit, working through men, our Popes in passing this information down. I too have a hard time–we are human, and in our humanity, we tend to look at things through self. I had an awakening this evening…in talking with my husband…that God came up with a model for sex. When we look through the ‘self’ lense, we say…‘why would God care if I do this or that? It’s not sinful if I do this act or that act.’ Perhaps, the act in a marriage in and of itself isn’t sinful–but perhaps ignoring God’s model IS sinful. And there you have it. I couldn’t get my arms around it…or my head around it…but God wants our souls around it. Ah! The power of the Holy Spirit to penetrate our stubborn hearts.
