Christian Attitudes to Sex and Marriage

Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-25:

• Genesis 2:18-25 emphasizes that God created woman as a suitable companion for man. God ordained that a man should leave his parents and cleave to his wife, establishing marriage as a divine institution.
• Marriage was designed to be a partnership, a lifelong union between a man and a woman.

• Mutual Help: (Genesis 2:18) – Marriage provides support and assistance.
• Mutual Love and Faithfulness: (Genesis 2:24) – Marriage is a relationship based on love and commitment.
• A Permanent Union: (Mark 10:9) – Marriage is meant to be a lasting bond between two people.
• Reproduction of Life: (Genesis 1:28; 2:18) – The command to "be fruitful and multiply" encourages the creation of families.
• Fulfillment of Desire: (1 Corinthians 7:1-6) – Marriage provides a way to fulfill physical and emotional desires within a committed relationship.

Islam:

• Strengthens relationships between families.
• Procreation to increase the Muslim population.
• Establishes a new family unit.
• Discourages immorality.

Hinduism:

• Procreation to continue the family line.
• Creates a family unit through the marriage of a man and woman.

Zambian Tradition:

• Reproduction is the primary purpose.
• Strengthening family ties and communal bonds.
• Marriage is seen as vital for the good of the community.
• If a marriage does not produce children, it may be ended.

• A man should not marry until he is financially able to support himself and his wife. (Genesis 2:24; 24:1-32, 50-53)
• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Christians are advised not to marry non-Christians.
• Marriage should be based on honor and love, not lust, as lust fades, but love endures. (1 Thessalonians 4:4-5)

Christianity:

• A man should marry only when he is able to support himself.
• The man must leave his parents and cleave to his wife.
• Marriage partners should be chosen with God’s guidance.
• Compatibility is key in marriage.

Islam:

• Marriages are often arranged by parents.
• A Muslim man may marry a non-Muslim, but a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim.
• A woman can choose her marriage partner but must respect her father’s decision.
• The Shia sect allows a temporary marriage contract with a specific duration and dowry.

Hinduism:

• Marriages are arranged by parents.
• The girl’s parents find a suitable suitor.
• The woman traditionally pays the dowry.

Zambian Tradition:

• Marriages are arranged by parents.
• The man’s parents approach the girl’s parents to negotiate the marriage terms.

• Matthew 19:10-12: Some Christians take vows of celibacy to dedicate themselves fully to God’s service.
• 1 Corinthians 7:25-40: Paul explains that celibacy can be a way to serve God without distractions, but marriage is also honorable and good.

Christianity:

• Unmarried adults are generally accepted and appreciated.
• It is common for unmarried adults in the Christian faith.

Islam:

• An unmarried adult is considered unusual and may face social pressure.
• It can be difficult for someone from a family with a bad reputation to find a partner.

Hinduism:

• Unmarried adults are seen as not normal, often attributed to mental or physical issues.

Zambian Tradition:

• Unmarried adults are often despised, with people assuming they have defective reproductive organs.
• Both traditional and modern Zambian attitudes tend to view unmarried adults negatively.