Sixth Commandment PDF

Sixth Commandment Karl Angelo S. Visda Throughout the Philippines today, the Christian Filipino is caught up in a whirlwind of changing patterns of man- woman relationships, and of the understanding of sexuality itself. The traditional chaste and modest “Maria Clara” ideal of Filipino womanhood ha...

Sixth Commandment Karl Angelo S. Visda Throughout the Philippines today, the Christian Filipino is caught up in a whirlwind of changing patterns of man- woman relationships, and of the understanding of sexuality itself. The traditional chaste and modest “Maria Clara” ideal of Filipino womanhood has quietly faded away. Highly praised in past eras for being mayumi, mahinhin, malinis and puso at maganda. Today’s Filipina must face challenges posed by new career possibilities, new demands of family and community, and new economic situations. Together with all these changes, PCP II denounces the persistence of the double standard of morality in Filipino sexual attitudes and relationships. From a Christian perspective this is extremely harmful for both men and women. While the Filipina is expected to be a virgin before marriage, and faithful within marriage, the Filipino male youth is constantly bombarded by the opposite macho image of what it means to be tunay na lalaki. The Sixth Commandment “you shall not commit adultery.” Seems simple and direct. It forbids married persons from entering into sexual union with someone other than their spouse. But for the Ancient Israelites, this Commandment had more social significance than sexual. Its aim was to protect the family, the absolutely necessary basis for society. Sexuality, therefore, is for both human completeness and procreation. Thus while focusing on the specific relationship of marriage, the Sixth Commandment actually touches upon the very nature of human sexuality, the entire range of man- woman relationships, and our common vocation to love and communion. God’s reasons for instituting His commandment against adultery are two-fold. First, God established the institution of marriage as being between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 19:5 and parallel passages). God created marriage to be the building block of His creation and of society. Even after the fall (Genesis 3), marriage is still a sacred union and the foundation for society. In marriage, the full expression of the image of God is made manifest as the man and the woman complement and complete each other.  Do not commit adultery. However, there is more to this command than the simple avoidance of extramarital relationships. One can make the argument that wrapped up in this prohibition are all sorts of sexual sin (e.g., incest, fornication, homosexuality, etc.) Fantasizing about having sexual relations with someone is the same, in God’s eyes, as actually committing adultery. Therefore, we must avoid all things that would create within us lustful thoughts (e.g., suggestive songs, sensuous movies, pornography, etc.).  Christian View of Human Sexuality Sexuality is today understood in more complete and integral sense than in the past when the focus was almost completely on the sexual act. Today sexuality signifies an essential dimension of the whole person, by which he/she enters into relationship with others. God has created human beings as male and female, equal in personal dignity, and has called them to a vocation of love and of communion. Everyone should accept his or her identity as male or female, recognizing its importance for the whole of the person, its specificity and complementarity. The Sixth Commandment, then, when viewed through the eyes of faith in the Risen Christ, far from restricting us, actually liberates us from two tyrannies. First, is the tyranny of puritanical attitudes and misguided taboos regarding sexuality. Second, the tyranny of “indecency” promoted by the so-called “new morality” that exalts casual sex while rejecting commitment and moral obligation. In rejecting fornication, and the forced violation of sexual integrity of rape, the Commandment is clearly protecting the personal dignity of both men and women and recalling their social responsibility against scandalizing the young. Breaking through both tyrannies, the Christian view of sexuality and marriage presents the dignity and authentic freedom of single and married life that is truly fulfilling, desirable, and fruitful. For the married, the commandment enjoins a free and responsible fidelity to a conjugal union that is life-long. This means, first, a joining of a man and a woman in the fullness of their personal lives a real, complete communion at all levels. Second, it means a permanent, enduring bond that is “for keeps.” That is why it is right that the total giving of self in sexual intercourse be reserved for this state of marriage as a permanent covenantal bond of personal love. For only within such a communion does sexual union take on its full meaning and become truly human and creative The high human costs of adultery and of divorce are often covered up by phrases like “having an affair.“ In reality, adultery gravely injures the life and character of the individual married persons involved, as well as of the community. Commitments are broken, suspicions and anger aroused, personal trust betrayed, relationships destroyed. Adultery is the complete corruption of God’s good creation of marriage. Through the sin of adultery, Satan tempts us to seek sexual fulfillment in avenues other than the one God has ordained—within the bounds of monogamous, heterosexual marriage. Adultery rips at the fabric of society because it tears apart marriages and families which are the building blocks of society. Despite all sexist propaganda in the mass media, real human freedom and love are not found in free sex. In rejecting polygamy, incest, and uncommited free unions (“living- in“), the Commandment guides us away from such false, ruinous attempts to fulfill our yearning for true love and communion. Christ is ever mindful of our human frailty, and the many temptations constantly bombarding us. His grace is ever present. God‘s fidelity to the Covenant holds firm and with it our human covenants; in them alone will we find our true human freedom and love.