Sex Before Marriage and Sin: How Christian Denominations Differ
In short
Most Christian traditions teach that sex belongs within marriage: the Catholic Catechism calls fornication gravely contrary to human dignity, and Latter-day Saints follow a law of chastity. Believers are more divided. In a 2019 Pew survey, 57% of US Christians said sex in a committed unmarried relationship is sometimes or always acceptable.
What the full article will cover
- What do Christian churches officially teach about sex before marriage?
- How does Catholic teaching define fornication?
- What do evangelical and mainline Protestant churches say?
- What is the Latter-day Saint law of chastity?
- What do American Christians actually believe?
Frequently asked questions
- Is premarital sex a mortal sin for Catholics?
- Is it a sin if you are engaged?
- Do all Protestant churches teach the same thing?
- Can premarital sex be forgiven?
Sources
- pewresearch.org — https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2020/08/31/half-of-u-s-christians-say-casual-sex-between-consenting-adults-is-sometimes-or-always-acceptable/
- vatican.va — https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P85.HTM
- churchofjesuschrist.org — https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/chastity?lang=eng
General information, not legal or religious advice.