Is premarital sex really a sin? (Jesus, moral, doom, sinners)

[MoonWater]

I don't believe it is a sin. The way I see it pre marital sex is a sin only if you follow a religion that says it is. Every religion has certain rules and guidelines one must follow those in order to be part of that religion. If your religion says you should not have sex before marriage then to do so would go against your religion. And since (ideally) your religion is a part of you it would also be going against yourself. So I don't believe it is a sin but then my religion says only "an it harm none do as ye will" and provided it's concentual and the right precautions are taken and your ready for it premarital sex won't harm harm. However if you are part of a religion that says to wait or for some other reason you feel you should wait then wait. What most people seem to forget is that the rules listed in the bible are meant to be followed by those who follow either Jewish(OT) or Christian(NT) traditions. Why should you follow the rules of a particular religion if you don't follow that particular religion?

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by MoonWater

However if you are part of a religion that says to wait or for some other reason you feel you should wait then wait. What most people seem to forget is that the rules listed in the bible are meant to be followed by those who follow either Jewish(OT) or Christian(NT) traditions. Why should you follow the rules of a particular religion if you don't follow that particular religion?

I agree with you. Personally, I answered the question based on the author of the OP having a cross as her avatar and her religion listed as Methodist which of course is Christian.

I don't see how those who are not Christian or religious in general can be held to the same 'rules' the religious follow.

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I agree with you. Personally, I answered the question based on the author of the OP having a cross as her avatar and her religion listed as Methodist which of course is Christian.

I don't see how those who are not Christian or religious in general can be held to the same 'rules' the religious follow.

If you are not religious, who is going hold you to any 'rules'?

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

If you are not religious, who is going hold you to any 'rules'?

I believe that's what I said.

[Mister_T]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Here, do a search.....you'll find fornication listed quite a few times in the bible.

That all depends on what version you're looking at, Chimpy.

It doesn't appear once in the NIV for example.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Mister_T

That all depends on what version you're looking at, Chimpy.

It doesn't appear once in the NIV for example.

Haha! Well, as you know I'm not a Christian any longer so don't think I'm pointing a judgmental finger at you, Nick.

However, note this scripture from Matthew 19

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' "

Notice how adultery is mentioned and then sexual immorality. Exactly what is YOUR definition of sexual immorality? Do all Christians decide for themselves what constitutes the definition of that term?

[Mister_T]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Haha! Well, as you know I'm not a Christian any longer so don't think I'm pointing a judgmental finger at you, Nick.

Wasn't thinking that at all.

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Notice how adultery is mentioned and then sexual immorality. Exactly what is YOUR definition of sexual immorality? Do all Christians decide for themselves what constitutes the definition of that term?

Well, I don't have a definition.

A good place to start in the Bible would 1 Corinthians 12-18, which is titled "Sexual Immorality." There Paul gives a description of what is considered sexual immoral (fornication not being listed). You can also look in Proverbs where adultery is laid out for everyone....and you guessed it, fornication isn't there either.

The Bible frequently lays out what is considered adultery, fornication and idolatry. Not once in the NIV is fornication mentioned or even blatantly hinted at. You'd have to do a lot of digging and assuming to prove otherwise.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Mister_T

Wasn't thinking that at all.

Ok, good.

The Bible frequently lays out what is considered adultery, fornication and idolatry. Not once in the NIV is fornication mentioned or even blatantly hinted at. You'd have to do a lot of digging and assuming to prove otherwise.

Hmm. So, the bible (varying versions I assume) does lay out what is considered fornication but if you follow the NIV translation you're exempt from committing sin if you engage in premarital sex?