Young Christians continue to grapple with how to reconcile traditional and restrictive church teachings on sexual ethics with the intimate relationships they experience and witness in their social circles, according to a religious studies professor and recent surveys.
The traditional Christian view that sex is only to be experienced in heterosexual marriage has been shared by less and less Americans over the years. A 2013 Gallup poll indicates that Millennials (those 18 to mid-30s) are least likely to hold the same view. Americans who claim to be Christians can also be counted among those with liberal views on premarital sex. One could ask if this means that Christian doctrines on sex and sexuality need to be loosened or revised to meet the needs and concerns of the present culture.
Dr. Teresa Delgado, associate professor in the Religious Studies department at Iona College since 2005, appeared on “CP Newsroom” to comment on the changing attitudes of some Christians on matters related to human sexuality. The Theology and Ethics professor noted some of the particular concerns her undergraduate students have shared with her over the years, in terms of conflicted feelings when it comes to their faith and sexuality.
Many young Americans, predominantly white and under the age of 30, have become disenchanted with, or even hostile toward religion. The Pew Research Center, which has reported an increase in religiously unaffiliated Americans, explained that “the unaffiliated are concentrated among younger adults, political liberals and people who take liberal positions on same-sex marriage.” The Public Religion Research Institute reported earlier this year that its survey found Millennials to be the most supportive of same-sex marriage.
The PRRI also pinpointed a particular trend in their findings among Millennials in regard to their childhood faith.
“Nearly one-third of Millennials who left their childhood religion say unfavorable church teachings about or treatment of gay and lesbian people played a significant role in their decision to head for the exit,” said PRRI CEO Dr. Robert P. Jones of the survey’s findings.
The Christian Post reported previously in an article questioning whether evangelical churches need to accept gay marriage to attract Millennials…Read More
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