ETHC 445 Week 2 Religion and Ethics

Student Name

Chamberlain University

ETHC-445 Principles of Ethics

Prof. Name:

Date

Religion and Ethics: Two Scenarios Evaluated

Scenario 1: Lesbian Woman’s Dilemma

The first scenario involves an 18-year-old woman who identifies as a lesbian, but her religious beliefs are at odds with her sexual orientation. The dilemma she faces is whether or not to come out to her parents, knowing that her religion condemns same-sex relationships. Many cultures and religions hold differing views on homosexuality, and in some, like Christianity, same-sex relationships are frowned upon. The Bible, for instance, condemns same-sex relationships in passages such as Romans 1:26-27, which describe them as unnatural (Gnuse, 2015).

From an ethical perspective, the young woman is caught between her sexual identity and her religious upbringing. Ethics concerns what is morally right or wrong, and it is often shaped by the teachings of religion. The woman may feel that being a lesbian is right for her, but she might struggle to reconcile this with her religion’s teachings (Rachels & Rachels, 2019).

In this case, the ethical decision would be for the woman to communicate her feelings to her parents. Her consideration of coming out indicates that she is seeking honesty and transparency. Pretending to be something she is not would be unethical, as it would involve denying her true self. Different ethical theories offer distinct approaches. Emotivism might suggest that the woman should follow her emotions and make a decision based on personal beliefs, while natural law ethics would encourage her to seek guidance from God and her parents, as they have a purpose in her life. A divine command ethicist would argue that she should follow God’s will, even if it means staying in the closet. Ultimately, the ethical choice lies in the woman’s decision, and it seems she might choose to be open with her parents.

Scenario 2: IVF Dilemma for a Catholic Couple

The second scenario involves a married couple, Joe and Mary, who are grieving the loss of their child to a rare disease. They desire to have another child but are unable to conceive naturally due to infertility. They learn about an IVF (in vitro fertilization) procedure that could help them, but their religion—Catholicism—prohibits IVF because it is seen as immoral and not in line with natural conception. According to Catholic teachings, human life should be protected from conception, and all forms of reproductive assistance, like IVF, are considered sinful (Sallam & Sallam, 2016).

Ethically, Joe and Mary are faced with the question of whether to prioritize their desire for a child over their religious convictions. The ethical decision in this case would involve following their values. Since they cherish the idea of having children, it could be argued that opting for IVF is an exception worth considering. However, the unethical path would be for them to disregard their personal values and submit to the Church’s view on reproduction without reflection. The divine command ethicist would argue against IVF, claiming that if God intended for them to have another child, He would bless them with one naturally. The emotivist would advise the couple to follow their personal feelings, either supporting IVF or refraining from it based on their beliefs. A natural law ethicist would recommend prayer and seeking God’s guidance, trusting that science can assist in fulfilling their natural desires for a child.

Conclusion

In both scenarios, the decision-making process is deeply rooted in personal ethics and religious beliefs. The ethical choice for both individuals and couples is one that resonates with their values, feelings, and beliefs, regardless of whether it conflicts with religious teachings. Religion and ethics are interwoven, but ultimately, the ethical decision depends on the person’s internal conviction and moral compass.

References

Gnuse, R. K. (2015). Seven gay texts: Biblical passages used to condemn homosexuality. Biblical Theology Bulletin, 45(2), 68–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146107915577097

Rachels, J., & Rachels, S. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.