Panelists talk sex, religion in student ethics discussion
By Gina Belmonte
Senior Jessica Coblentz led a discussion on premarital sex within a religious context -- one of today's waning social taboos -- with two panelists Monday evening at an event that attracted more than 60 students.
Latecomers were searching for space on the packed floor in Kennedy Commons during the Premarital Sex, Faith and the Santa Clara Student ethics event, as panelists Christina Leone and Andy Victor explored student beliefs about premarital sex influenced by religion and personal experience.
"Premarital sex is a hot topic," said Coblentz, facilitator and coordinator of the panel discussion. Both panelists and audience members offered their sometimes controversial opinions about the subject.
Leone, a senior religious studies major, said she believed premarital sex is morally permissible. Brought up under the rigid rules of Catholicism, Leone said she was once an advocate of the polar opposite belief and dissuaded fellow students from taking part in premarital sex. But there were unanswered questions that led her to redefine her beliefs.
"What about homosexual partners who are not allowed to sanctify their relationship in the Catholic Church? What about couples that make life-long commitments to one another, but chose to do so outside of a religious ceremony?" asked Leone.
Victor, a freshman, responded by saying that sex is a symbolic union and an expression of love, not only between two people, but involving God as well. And sexually active people will never know love or God if they don't include him through marriage, he said.
Victor used personal experience to support his beliefs. After feeling guilty during when he started to get intimate with someone, he turned to the "Every Man's" book series by Stephen Arterburn, a collection that paves the way to sexual purity through scripture, for help. Soon, Victor said he began a campaign to quell his "war of lust."
Aspiring to be a pastor, Victor said he stands by his beliefs, despite differences in opinions with friends. He said often times the campus environment becomes an "atmosphere that will only tempt you even more."
Audience members challenged the panelists' creeds with questions about the definition of lust, love and the factors that would make sex spiritual.
"Is there such a thing as premarital spiritual fooling around?" asked a sophomore who said he has been engaging in premarital sex with his girlfriend of three years, whom he said he plans to marry.
The phrase "premarital spiritual fooling around" doesn't lend to much spirituality, Victor said. He went on to call it a "lustful activity" which he said the Bible disapproves of, citing Matthew 5:27-28.
Lust isn't necessarily sinful, said Leone, referring to Hebrew scripture, the Book Song of Songs, which she said consists of erotic poetry and makes no explicit reference to marriage.
The panel discussion continued to review different definitions of spirituality, love and ethics.
"I really respected everyone's views and the different challenges they presented to others' views," said attendee senior Katy Erker. A self-proclaimed feminist, Erker challenged Victor's unrelenting view of premarital sex.
"What if you find the love of your life, and you're both totally committed to each other, are both very spiritual people, welcome God into your relationship, but she's a die-hard feminist and won't give in to the patriarchal institution that is marriage?" asked Erker.
The event brought varying views to the surface for a successful discussion, said Coblentz.
Coblentz puts on a series of student lectures as part of her Hackworth Fellowship under the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. The premarital sex panel was the second in a series under the theme of "Faith, Sex and Ethics," which delves into topics ranging from homosexuality and spirituality to the next series topic in line: interfaith dating. Coblentz's next panel will be hosted in Kennedy Commons on Feb. 25 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Contact Gina Belmonte at gbelmonte@scu.edu.