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Resources: Understand the Arguments
“What Sex Can Be: Self-Alienation, Illusion, or One-Flesh Unity” by Robert P.
George and Patrick Lee
This article focuses on the reasoning behind the position that sex acts are only morally
permissible within the context of marriage. George and Lee argue that this is due to an
understanding of marriage as a multi-level commitment – emotional, physical, social, etc.
This is an extremely strong article that provides clear and coherent arguments suitable for
an academic setting.
http://www2.franciscan.edu/plee/whatsexcanbe.htm
“The Good of Marriage and the Morality of Sexual Relations: Some
Philosophical and Historical Observations” by John Finnis
Finnis examines Aquinas’ claim that “sex acts are immoral when they go ‘against the good
of marriage.’” This article is less comprehensive than the George and Lee article and more
technical, but a helpful understanding of sex from the perspective of natural law philosophy.
http://www.princeton.edu/~anscombe/old-site/public_html/articles/finnismarriage.pdf
“Designed for Sex” by J. Budziszewski
The article explains the notion of design and how it fits into natural law notions of sex.
Complex information is presented in a simple, easy-to-read manner.
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=18-06-022-f
“What is Marriage For? The Public Purposes of Marriage Law” by Maggie
Gallagher, Louisiana Law Review
Gallagher provides insight as to the range of evaluative approaches available when
considering marriage, and concludes that marriage is necessary for the successful
reproduction of society, which has implications in the legal realm.
http://www.marriagedebate.com/pdf/What%20is%20Marriage%20For.pdf
“Marriage and Caste” by Kay S. Hymowitz, City Journal
This is a clear article that addresses the idea that there is a great disparity between educated
and uneducated women in the number of children raised outside of marriage, and that this
phenomenon is leading to two very different Americas.
http://www.cityjournal.org/html/16_1_marriage_gap.html
“The Ring Thing” by W. Bradford Wilcox, National Review Online
Wilcox argues that lower crime rates and better parental relationships exist in two parent
homes where mothers are married to the father of their children.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?
q=ODIyNDE3OGZhZTk0Y2YyYjNkMGEyZWJkMWRiN2M5NjQ=#more
“The Tragedy of America’s Disappearing Fathers” by Juan Willliams, The Wall
Street Journal
In this article Williams follows the trend of missing fathers, particularly in urban areas.
One way to combat child poverty and increase the well-being of children, Williams argues, is
by reaffirming the importance of fathers in the family.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121340023355173717.html
“The Top Ten Myths of Divorce” by David Popenoe
Popenoe dismantles common misconceptions about several different aspects of divorce,
in each case providing references to the article, study, or book supporting his claim. This
could be an excellent tool for finding sources on the ways divorce is harmful to society.
http://marriage.rutgers.edu/Publications/pubtoptenmyths.htm
“More Evidence: Cohabitation is Poor Training for Marriage” by Heide Seward
Seward summarizes the findings of studies that indicate that cohabitation is poor training
for marriage. Some of the reasons for this finding include that men “can get sex without
marriage more easily than in the past,” and they can also “enjoy the benefits of having a wife
by cohabiting rather than marrying.”
http://www.beverlylahayeinstitute.org/articledisplay.asp?
id=838&department=BLI&categoryid=dotcommentary
“Valentines Day” by Dawn Eden on National Review Online
Eden describes two constants of Valentines Day: her father sending her chocolate and her
remaining single. She discusses how her willingness in the past to give herself physically to
men would often come with the cost of her remaining emotionally detached in relationships,
and she discusses her own transition to a chaste lifestyle.
http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?
q=NDk1NGZkOGVhZTcwYmM2NTE4ODFjZjQ3NmMyMDkyM2M
“Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles”
Scholars from history, economics, philosophy, psychiatry, law, and sociology come
together to discuss the reasons why marriage is in the public interest. They discuss the
challenges marriage is facing in today’s world, set forth grounding principles on the value of
marriage, and suggest ways forward.
http://www.princetonprinciples.org/contents.html
“The Virtuous Life: Chastity”
This is one of few articles addressing this issue and aimed specifically at men. It identifies
the problems with casual sex—that it is degrading to women and poor preparation for
marriage—in a concise and easy-to-read way.
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/05/18/the-virtuous-life-chastity/
“Marriage still the best way to play happy, healthy families, says study” by
Polly Curtis, The Guardian
Although studies have shown that marriage is associated with better health and that
children do best in a number of different categories when raised in households with two
married parents, the number of such households is decreasing rapidly—cohabitation rates
have increased 65% in the last decade in the UK. Although all the statistics in the article are
specific to the UK, this article could still be useful in responding to those who say that what is
most important in a household is that parents love each other/their children, and not
whether or not they are married.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/oct/05/health.socialtrends
“Dare We Get Real About Sex?” by Carson Holloway, Touchstone Magazine
Formerly, US sexual morals were stricter than in Europe and this strict sexual morality
continued until the 1960s, but since then sexual moral standards have loosened
considerably. This change came because of general acceptance of the notion that anything
done by consensual adults is acceptable—no sexual act is objectively morally wrong.
Holloway argues that this means that it is inevitable that pedophilia will eventually be
recognized as legitimate. Holloway offers a response to the type of reasoning that would
legitimate pedophilia, however, this argument assumes that sex has a moral dimension,
which is denied by many. It is difficult to offer an explanation of the moral nature of sex that
both invalidates pedophilia and avoids condemning a majority of Americans for their sexual
practices. Holloway finishes his article with a call for conservatives to think through their
definition of sexual ethics in an attempt to come up with a position that does not allow a
travesty such as pedophilia to be practiced.
http://touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=15-03-031-f
“Instant Sex” by David Gelernter, Weekly Standard
Gelernter writes about the lack of understanding of and belief in romantic love in today’s
culture, and blames it on the preponderance of casual “instant” sex. Gelernter further turns
to some of Shakespeare’s plays as evidence and examples of true romantic love. His use of
literature (he refers to the Bible and Jane Austen as well) is interesting, but didn’t really
support the anti-instant sex portion of his argument.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/462wtjth.asp
“Not out of Lust, but in Accordance with the Truth” by Alexander Pruss
Pruss provides insight into the Judeo-Christian moral framework, with a particular focus
on Catholicism, and explains why sex is appropriate only within the context of marriage. He
takes a theological/philosophical approach and also addresses issues such as contraception
and lust. The article is well-written, with lucidly explained arguments.
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/ap85/papers/notlust.html
“Christian Sexual Ethics” by Alexander Pruss
Pruss emphasizes the importance of examining the sexual act and its meaning
simultaneously. He discusses arguments on contraception, natural family planning, and
organicity. A helpful article that defines the one body, one flesh component of marriage and
also makes clear the implications of such a view of marriage.
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/ap85/papers/unity.html
“Shameless and Loveless” by Roger Scruton, The Spectator
Scruton describes how some level of sexual shame is necessary. It is only when we regard
something as sacred or holy that we understand how it can be defamed.
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0121.htm
“A Basic Theology of Marriage” by Christopher West
West examines the issue of marriage from a Catholic perspective, defining marriage in
terms of a communion of two persons, and describes the implications of his view on the
issues of divorce and sex.
http://www.theologyofthebody.com/page.asp?ContentID=72
“What Is the Theology of the Body and Why Is It Changing People’s Lives” by
Christopher West
A helpful introduction to the theology of the body that provides insight into the collection
of Pope John Paul II’s 129 short talks on sexuality.
http://www.theologyofthebody.com/page.asp?ContentID=71
“But I’m Just Not Ready”
This article suggests that defending chastity based on personal feelings becomes difficult
when someone else asserts that they feel that sex is perfectly acceptable. The article instead
proposes defending chastity with reasoned arguments related to the facts of marriage,
pregnancy, and one’s relationship with God.
http://www.reallove.net/articleshowa40b.html?ID=110
“Sex in the Body of Christ” by Lauren Winner, Christianity Today
Winner starts her article with an examination of the lack of chastity in today’s American
culture, and specifically within the Church. Studies have found that two thirds of Christian
singles have had sex before marriage. And while there are pro-chastity movements within
the Church such as the True Love Waits movement, those who signed the True Love Waits
pledge typically only delayed sex before marriage, and then only under certain conditions.
Winner defines chastity as “sex within the body of Christ,” which means having sex only
within the boundaries of marriage. Chastity is not only a rule, but a spiritual discipline, or
exercise—something you deliberately practice, not merely a state of being.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/34.28.html
“Deeper Into Chastity” by Lauren Winner, Christianity Today
Winner describes her journey to Christianity and how it eventually pointed her toward
chastity.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/35.32.html?start=1
“Bodies of Evidence” by Frederica Mathewes-Green, Touchstone Magazine
Mathewes-Green discusses the meaning of sex—its purpose and proper sphere. Looking
at sex from a natural point of view, she concludes that the meaning of sex for humans is
broader than reproduction. The fact that humans can have sex face to face suggests that sex
is also about connection. Part of the reason that sex is for the long-run is that human
newborns are much less self-sufficient than those of other animals, and need both parents to
care for them. The reason that sex is not just till children reach self-sufficiency, but for a
lifetime, is that human beings seek love, not just the physical pleasure that sex can bring. It is
a sign of Christ’s relationship to the world—unconditional love makes both the giver and
receiver more like God.
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=18-05-027-f
“A Theological Reflection on the Human Body” by John Joseph Myers,
Archbishop of Newark
This pastoral letter sets out Catholic teaching on the human body. The Bible emphasizes
that human beings are both body and soul. The body points to the doctrines of creation and
incarnation and redemption through Christ’s physical suffering. Sexual intercourse is a type
of communication—a giving and receiving. Therefore “intercourse outside marriage and
contraceptive intercourse both are lies told with bodies; the two parties do not truly give and
receive openly and unconditionally but only use each other for pleasure.” Just as denying
the significance of the body is problematic, so is glorifying it in excess.
http://www.rcan.org/archbish/jjm_letters/HumanBody.htm
“Marriage and the Complementarity of Male and Female” by William E. May
May begins by examining passages from Genesis 1 and 2, and derives some important
truths from them: As the author of marriage, God set out the defining characteristics of
marriage: it is to be between one man and one woman, it is for the procreation of children.
The complementarity of men and women is apparent in sexual intercourse—both the man
and the woman are active, and both give and receive. Men are inclined toward giving in a
receiving way, while women are structured so as to be inclined to receive in a giving way.
Complementarity is also demonstrated in men’s and women’s roles in parenting. May also
comments on Genesis 3 and Ephesians 5, which indicate that marriage is “a holy sign of the
life-giving, love-giving union between Christ and his bride the Church.”
http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/may/marrcomp.htm
“The Communion of Persons in Marriage and the Conjugal Act” by William E.
May
One of the defining characteristics of marriage, instituted by God, is that a husband and
wife, in marrying, form a communion of persons, just as God is a communion of persons.
Human marriage is merely an anticipation of Christ’s marriage to His bride, the Church, in
heaven. The conjugal act is the way a husband and wife actualize the communion of persons.
http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/may/communionofpersons.htm
George and Patrick Lee
This article focuses on the reasoning behind the position that sex acts are only morally
permissible within the context of marriage. George and Lee argue that this is due to an
understanding of marriage as a multi-level commitment – emotional, physical, social, etc.
This is an extremely strong article that provides clear and coherent arguments suitable for
an academic setting.
http://www2.franciscan.edu/plee/whatsexcanbe.htm
“The Good of Marriage and the Morality of Sexual Relations: Some
Philosophical and Historical Observations” by John Finnis
Finnis examines Aquinas’ claim that “sex acts are immoral when they go ‘against the good
of marriage.’” This article is less comprehensive than the George and Lee article and more
technical, but a helpful understanding of sex from the perspective of natural law philosophy.
http://www.princeton.edu/~anscombe/old-site/public_html/articles/finnismarriage.pdf
“Designed for Sex” by J. Budziszewski
The article explains the notion of design and how it fits into natural law notions of sex.
Complex information is presented in a simple, easy-to-read manner.
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=18-06-022-f
“What is Marriage For? The Public Purposes of Marriage Law” by Maggie
Gallagher, Louisiana Law Review
Gallagher provides insight as to the range of evaluative approaches available when
considering marriage, and concludes that marriage is necessary for the successful
reproduction of society, which has implications in the legal realm.
http://www.marriagedebate.com/pdf/What%20is%20Marriage%20For.pdf
“Marriage and Caste” by Kay S. Hymowitz, City Journal
This is a clear article that addresses the idea that there is a great disparity between educated
and uneducated women in the number of children raised outside of marriage, and that this
phenomenon is leading to two very different Americas.
http://www.cityjournal.org/html/16_1_marriage_gap.html
“The Ring Thing” by W. Bradford Wilcox, National Review Online
Wilcox argues that lower crime rates and better parental relationships exist in two parent
homes where mothers are married to the father of their children.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?
q=ODIyNDE3OGZhZTk0Y2YyYjNkMGEyZWJkMWRiN2M5NjQ=#more
“The Tragedy of America’s Disappearing Fathers” by Juan Willliams, The Wall
Street Journal
In this article Williams follows the trend of missing fathers, particularly in urban areas.
One way to combat child poverty and increase the well-being of children, Williams argues, is
by reaffirming the importance of fathers in the family.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121340023355173717.html
“The Top Ten Myths of Divorce” by David Popenoe
Popenoe dismantles common misconceptions about several different aspects of divorce,
in each case providing references to the article, study, or book supporting his claim. This
could be an excellent tool for finding sources on the ways divorce is harmful to society.
http://marriage.rutgers.edu/Publications/pubtoptenmyths.htm
“More Evidence: Cohabitation is Poor Training for Marriage” by Heide Seward
Seward summarizes the findings of studies that indicate that cohabitation is poor training
for marriage. Some of the reasons for this finding include that men “can get sex without
marriage more easily than in the past,” and they can also “enjoy the benefits of having a wife
by cohabiting rather than marrying.”
http://www.beverlylahayeinstitute.org/articledisplay.asp?
id=838&department=BLI&categoryid=dotcommentary
“Valentines Day” by Dawn Eden on National Review Online
Eden describes two constants of Valentines Day: her father sending her chocolate and her
remaining single. She discusses how her willingness in the past to give herself physically to
men would often come with the cost of her remaining emotionally detached in relationships,
and she discusses her own transition to a chaste lifestyle.
http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?
q=NDk1NGZkOGVhZTcwYmM2NTE4ODFjZjQ3NmMyMDkyM2M
“Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles”
Scholars from history, economics, philosophy, psychiatry, law, and sociology come
together to discuss the reasons why marriage is in the public interest. They discuss the
challenges marriage is facing in today’s world, set forth grounding principles on the value of
marriage, and suggest ways forward.
http://www.princetonprinciples.org/contents.html
“The Virtuous Life: Chastity”
This is one of few articles addressing this issue and aimed specifically at men. It identifies
the problems with casual sex—that it is degrading to women and poor preparation for
marriage—in a concise and easy-to-read way.
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/05/18/the-virtuous-life-chastity/
“Marriage still the best way to play happy, healthy families, says study” by
Polly Curtis, The Guardian
Although studies have shown that marriage is associated with better health and that
children do best in a number of different categories when raised in households with two
married parents, the number of such households is decreasing rapidly—cohabitation rates
have increased 65% in the last decade in the UK. Although all the statistics in the article are
specific to the UK, this article could still be useful in responding to those who say that what is
most important in a household is that parents love each other/their children, and not
whether or not they are married.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/oct/05/health.socialtrends
“Dare We Get Real About Sex?” by Carson Holloway, Touchstone Magazine
Formerly, US sexual morals were stricter than in Europe and this strict sexual morality
continued until the 1960s, but since then sexual moral standards have loosened
considerably. This change came because of general acceptance of the notion that anything
done by consensual adults is acceptable—no sexual act is objectively morally wrong.
Holloway argues that this means that it is inevitable that pedophilia will eventually be
recognized as legitimate. Holloway offers a response to the type of reasoning that would
legitimate pedophilia, however, this argument assumes that sex has a moral dimension,
which is denied by many. It is difficult to offer an explanation of the moral nature of sex that
both invalidates pedophilia and avoids condemning a majority of Americans for their sexual
practices. Holloway finishes his article with a call for conservatives to think through their
definition of sexual ethics in an attempt to come up with a position that does not allow a
travesty such as pedophilia to be practiced.
http://touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=15-03-031-f
“Instant Sex” by David Gelernter, Weekly Standard
Gelernter writes about the lack of understanding of and belief in romantic love in today’s
culture, and blames it on the preponderance of casual “instant” sex. Gelernter further turns
to some of Shakespeare’s plays as evidence and examples of true romantic love. His use of
literature (he refers to the Bible and Jane Austen as well) is interesting, but didn’t really
support the anti-instant sex portion of his argument.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/462wtjth.asp
“Not out of Lust, but in Accordance with the Truth” by Alexander Pruss
Pruss provides insight into the Judeo-Christian moral framework, with a particular focus
on Catholicism, and explains why sex is appropriate only within the context of marriage. He
takes a theological/philosophical approach and also addresses issues such as contraception
and lust. The article is well-written, with lucidly explained arguments.
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/ap85/papers/notlust.html
“Christian Sexual Ethics” by Alexander Pruss
Pruss emphasizes the importance of examining the sexual act and its meaning
simultaneously. He discusses arguments on contraception, natural family planning, and
organicity. A helpful article that defines the one body, one flesh component of marriage and
also makes clear the implications of such a view of marriage.
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/ap85/papers/unity.html
“Shameless and Loveless” by Roger Scruton, The Spectator
Scruton describes how some level of sexual shame is necessary. It is only when we regard
something as sacred or holy that we understand how it can be defamed.
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0121.htm
“A Basic Theology of Marriage” by Christopher West
West examines the issue of marriage from a Catholic perspective, defining marriage in
terms of a communion of two persons, and describes the implications of his view on the
issues of divorce and sex.
http://www.theologyofthebody.com/page.asp?ContentID=72
“What Is the Theology of the Body and Why Is It Changing People’s Lives” by
Christopher West
A helpful introduction to the theology of the body that provides insight into the collection
of Pope John Paul II’s 129 short talks on sexuality.
http://www.theologyofthebody.com/page.asp?ContentID=71
“But I’m Just Not Ready”
This article suggests that defending chastity based on personal feelings becomes difficult
when someone else asserts that they feel that sex is perfectly acceptable. The article instead
proposes defending chastity with reasoned arguments related to the facts of marriage,
pregnancy, and one’s relationship with God.
http://www.reallove.net/articleshowa40b.html?ID=110
“Sex in the Body of Christ” by Lauren Winner, Christianity Today
Winner starts her article with an examination of the lack of chastity in today’s American
culture, and specifically within the Church. Studies have found that two thirds of Christian
singles have had sex before marriage. And while there are pro-chastity movements within
the Church such as the True Love Waits movement, those who signed the True Love Waits
pledge typically only delayed sex before marriage, and then only under certain conditions.
Winner defines chastity as “sex within the body of Christ,” which means having sex only
within the boundaries of marriage. Chastity is not only a rule, but a spiritual discipline, or
exercise—something you deliberately practice, not merely a state of being.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/34.28.html
“Deeper Into Chastity” by Lauren Winner, Christianity Today
Winner describes her journey to Christianity and how it eventually pointed her toward
chastity.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/35.32.html?start=1
“Bodies of Evidence” by Frederica Mathewes-Green, Touchstone Magazine
Mathewes-Green discusses the meaning of sex—its purpose and proper sphere. Looking
at sex from a natural point of view, she concludes that the meaning of sex for humans is
broader than reproduction. The fact that humans can have sex face to face suggests that sex
is also about connection. Part of the reason that sex is for the long-run is that human
newborns are much less self-sufficient than those of other animals, and need both parents to
care for them. The reason that sex is not just till children reach self-sufficiency, but for a
lifetime, is that human beings seek love, not just the physical pleasure that sex can bring. It is
a sign of Christ’s relationship to the world—unconditional love makes both the giver and
receiver more like God.
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=18-05-027-f
“A Theological Reflection on the Human Body” by John Joseph Myers,
Archbishop of Newark
This pastoral letter sets out Catholic teaching on the human body. The Bible emphasizes
that human beings are both body and soul. The body points to the doctrines of creation and
incarnation and redemption through Christ’s physical suffering. Sexual intercourse is a type
of communication—a giving and receiving. Therefore “intercourse outside marriage and
contraceptive intercourse both are lies told with bodies; the two parties do not truly give and
receive openly and unconditionally but only use each other for pleasure.” Just as denying
the significance of the body is problematic, so is glorifying it in excess.
http://www.rcan.org/archbish/jjm_letters/HumanBody.htm
“Marriage and the Complementarity of Male and Female” by William E. May
May begins by examining passages from Genesis 1 and 2, and derives some important
truths from them: As the author of marriage, God set out the defining characteristics of
marriage: it is to be between one man and one woman, it is for the procreation of children.
The complementarity of men and women is apparent in sexual intercourse—both the man
and the woman are active, and both give and receive. Men are inclined toward giving in a
receiving way, while women are structured so as to be inclined to receive in a giving way.
Complementarity is also demonstrated in men’s and women’s roles in parenting. May also
comments on Genesis 3 and Ephesians 5, which indicate that marriage is “a holy sign of the
life-giving, love-giving union between Christ and his bride the Church.”
http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/may/marrcomp.htm
“The Communion of Persons in Marriage and the Conjugal Act” by William E.
May
One of the defining characteristics of marriage, instituted by God, is that a husband and
wife, in marrying, form a communion of persons, just as God is a communion of persons.
Human marriage is merely an anticipation of Christ’s marriage to His bride, the Church, in
heaven. The conjugal act is the way a husband and wife actualize the communion of persons.
http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/may/communionofpersons.htm
Marriage and Sex