I will preface this by saying I was brought up Anglican (bible camps, youth group, Sunday school, regular church and a christian school) but ended up being revolted with religion and I would now describe myself as a secular humanist.
Anyway, I have been speaking to friends about the theory of sex before marriage and we're not sure where the line is drawn. I mean, what constitutes sex in a religious context? At what point do you find yourself in damnation?
I don't want to be too graphic(and I'd prefer it if your responses weren't either!) but I AM curious about what the religious folk out there perceive as sex before marriage. Is oral classified as sex? There again - where is the line drawn? If it's okay to kiss other parts of the body (say, upper thigh) are we talking centimetres before damnation occurs? Is penetration sex, regardless of whether it is intercourse? (i.e. finger). On an even less intense level, is touching each other classified as sex? Or do you perceive it was a state of mind, regardless of the act being committed?
If oral is not classified as sex, then are lesbians technically virgins? And if using toys IS classified as sex, is masturbating with one classified as sex before marriage, even if you've never had sexual contact with another person?
Or is virginity hinged upon the physicality of an intact hymen?
Any views greatly appreciated.
Anyway, I have been speaking to friends about the theory of sex before marriage and we're not sure where the line is drawn. I mean, what constitutes sex in a religious context? At what point do you find yourself in damnation?
I don't want to be too graphic(and I'd prefer it if your responses weren't either!) but I AM curious about what the religious folk out there perceive as sex before marriage. Is oral classified as sex? There again - where is the line drawn? If it's okay to kiss other parts of the body (say, upper thigh) are we talking centimetres before damnation occurs? Is penetration sex, regardless of whether it is intercourse? (i.e. finger). On an even less intense level, is touching each other classified as sex? Or do you perceive it was a state of mind, regardless of the act being committed?
If oral is not classified as sex, then are lesbians technically virgins? And if using toys IS classified as sex, is masturbating with one classified as sex before marriage, even if you've never had sexual contact with another person?
Or is virginity hinged upon the physicality of an intact hymen?
Any views greatly appreciated.