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Catholics enjoy sex, but believe
that sexual intercourse itself is intended to be enjoyed
by married couples only.To share yourself spiritually, mentally and physically with
someone else is about as special a gift as you can give or receive.
As with all precious gifts we feel it needs to be protected
and used properly. It has such a high value that, as Catholics,
we aim to 'save ourselves' until we meet just
the right person. What a gift that is for the person you
marry! |
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Sex is also about the total gift of self to another person
just like a marriage commitment. It is an expression of pure
love, one that can involve the creation of a new life. |
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Sadly in today's society, sex is often presented as nothing
more than a leisure activity. We are told that
it should be enjoyed with as many partners as possible. Sex
is de-valued in the way it is widely used as a sales tool;
to sell things from cars to chocolate.
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Sex outside of a loving and lasting relationship, has
long term wounding spiritual, physical and emotional effects
on an individual. Extra-marital affairs can lead to family
breakdown, and recent statistics show that the number of
sexually transmitted diseases in England and Wales is fast
increasing. |
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Do you see your sexuality as something sacred?
Consider attending a day conference
on the subject.
Click here
Similar conferences are planned for the future. Watch this space. |
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"No-one expects you to
hang onto your virginity anymore. It doesn't matter."
"People say you should lose
your virginity. I did just that; I wasted it on someone
who didn't really care about
me or value what I gave him. I have always regretted
it. I'm happy with my husband now, but I wish I'd given it
to
him instead."
"I only want sex with someone
I care about and who really cares about me. It's
richer that way."
"I have no hang ups about having a lot of sexual partners – variety
is the spice of life!" |
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"Everyone at college was
saying how many girls they'd had sex with and I felt under
pressure to find someone to
have sex with as soon as I could. Eventually I found a fun
girl, but we didn't stay together."
"I worry if
a girl wants sex straight away. How many other men has
she slept with that easily? Do they feel like
I do? I wouldn't want to catch anything."
"A
man that's a virgin is seen quite negatively by society.
It's like he isn't able to find anyone who'll have
him."
"I'd prefer to find a girl
who would treat her sexuality as something precious - and
then love me
enough to only give
it to me." |
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Catholics believe that sex is a mental, spiritual and
physical act and it has significant value. It shouldn't be
treated lightly, though it should definitely be enjoyed! |
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Your guide for this section is Tillie. She is 22, and lives in Leeds. Click here to read her story. |
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| This is a website of the Catholic Enquiry Office; part of an Agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. |
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