'Tastes' in Christianity

"Isn't there a middle ground somewhere (I'm speaking in terms of all romantic relationships, not just one sexual orientation in particular), between complete and utter celibacy, and greedy promiscuous lust?" You know, I have the feeling that people's reactions to this type of question have a great deal to do with innate taste? What I mean is that there is a certain "taste" that draws people toward hard, lean Christianity, whose beauty lies in its clear lines and decisive answers, while there's another "taste" that draws people toward a soft, pastel Christianity, whose beauty lies in its willingness to accommodate different pastoral needs. As you can gather, I like both types of Christianity, but the adherents to these two groups tend to regard each other as devils incarnate, exchange epithets such as "Fundamentalist!" and "Heretic!" Below's an example of the soft, pastel Christianity's approach to this "middle ground." Heather [An excerpt from the document linked below.] Three different ways of sexual living may be distinguished: Way I: Faithful and righteous family life, based on love and mutuality, remains an abiding way for all Christians. The Lambeth Conferences 1978 and 1988 both affirmed "marriage to be sacred, instituted by God and blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ." It is not, of course, the only way to live a faithful human life. The New Testament and Christian history identify singleness, dedicated celibacy and monastic community life as Christ-like ways of living. However, there has been a long-standing recognition in the Churches that family life can be distorted by unfaithfulness or unrighteousness. Churches need to find effective ways of promoting faithful and righteous marriage, as well as affirming a person's vocation to singleness and celibacy. Way 2: Some expressions of sexuality, which are sadly present in all societies, are inherently opposed to the Christian way and are sinful. By way of example, such unacceptable expressions of sexuality include promiscuity (both heterosexual and homosexual), adultery, prostitution, child pornography, active paedophilia, bestiality and sadomasochism. From a Christian perspective, these forms of sexual expression remain sinful no matter how much some elements of secular societies seek to justify them. Likewise, where family systems are distorted by unfaithfulness or unrighteousness, family members may be led by example to behaviour that is not in conformity with Christian virtue. Way 3: Yet there are other forms of behaviour which some Christians claim should not be regarded as inherently sinful but which may be less than complete expressions of the Christian way. These would include some forms of African traditional marriage and faithful cohabitation. Heather [E-mail]   [Home Page] Human sexuality study document from the 1998 Lambeth Conference (worldwide gathering of Anglican bishops)