Another Theology of the Body, Part XIV--We Need To Stop Being Terrible To Each Other
One of the criticisms that always comes up when you want to re-evaluate or challenge Christian sexual morality is that the real goal is laxity. "You just don't want to have to follow all those rules; you just want to be able to do what you want," these folks will say. I think it is precisely the opposite. I think the focus on rules is a way to let ourselves off the hook from dealing with the real problem with relationships. Christian sexual morality, as currently constructed, is an acts based system. There are a list of discrete behaviors that you must not do. But that's basically it. Outside of the bounds of the prohibited acts, there is no real moral guidance on how to behave in the context of a romantic or sexual relationship. Sure, one can apply generalized principles (don't lie, etc.), but the take away that many people get from this system is "as long as I am not fornicating, I'm OK." I believe this system tacitly endorses, or at le...