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40/40 RS OCR Essay. I receives an A* in my RS A level in 2022. This essay can be used as a guide for content/ structure for religious studies essays.
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Critically assess the view that Natural Law is of no use whendiscussing issues related to homosexuality
40/40 essay (A* overall in RS Alevel)
Natural law is an absolutist ethical theory, commonly seen to be related to
Aquinas’ ideas of primary precepts, secondary precepts, synderesis, and telos.
When looking to homosexuality some Christians, especially Roman Catholics,
find it useful to consider natural law as it comes from a rational reflection of
human nature while considering God’s divine laws. However, it can be argued
more convincingly that natural law is not a greatly efficient use when
discussing issues related to homosexuality due to other theories such as
Fletcher’s situation ethics being of more use by being able to fit into more
modern values and being of use to a wider range of people.
On one hand it can be argued that natural law is of use when discussing
homosexuality through the application of Aquinas’ precepts. This can be seen
through applying the primary precept of reproduction to homosexuality. It
would be seen by Aquinas that because homosexuality cannot lead to
reproduction that homosexual relationships do not achieve their telos of
reproduction (a God-given purpose). This belief on limiting homosexuality due
to it’s inability to result in reproduction is backed up by the modern natural law
philosopher John Finnis. He argues homosexuality is harmful as it cannot lead
to the giving of new life. Therefore, natural law can be seen to guide Christians
like Aquinas and Finnis to believe that homosexuality should be avoided. This
shows natural law is of use to some Christians when discussing homosexuality.
On the other hand it can be argued to a greater extent that natural law is not
of use when discussing homosexuality. This is because many religious and non-
religious believers do not agree with Aquinas’ ideas of telos being applied
through reproduction as a precept. It could be argued that instead of
reproduction, telos can be related to other things that have not been
suggested by Aquinas such as pleasure. When relating to homosexuality,
hedonistic ulitiarians can believe their main purpose is to have pleasure and for
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