Sexualetik för Svenska kyrkan. Om hur Svenska kyrkan kan hantera frågor om sex och sexualitet idag, utifrån ett liberalt förhållningssätt

Abstract

This paper present a suggestion to what I consider is an appropriate sexual ethic for the Church of Sweden. It is a response to the inability of how to handle these issues by various representatives of the church today. The term ”liberal” is used as an adequate theoretical concept to describe the sexual ethic. Addressing a question through a liberal approach means to allow the particular context to form the answer to the question. Hence Sarah Coakley’s method théologie totale was an inspiration to use qualitative interviews as method, working with different representatives of the Church of Sweden. The interviews are used as material in critical dialogue with scholars that relate to the topic discussed. The analysis is structured by three main themes, where each draws a conclusion: The first theme’s conclusion is that the image of God involves the good nature of the human body and sexuality. The second theme’s conclusion is Marvin M. Ellison’s social ethic as a framework for how the use of our sexuality can be regulated, which I compliment with the importance of recognizing the inseparability between soul and body. Finally I present how the Church of Swedish in practice could implement this ethic, where the essential aspect is the importance of pastoral-care to each person’s situation.