In 1980, Pope John Paul II said that “a man is guilty of committing 'adultery in the heart' if he looks at his own wife in a lustful manner.” The mockery that followed was predictable.
A thoughtful essay. I will quibble that there is an "othering" of the desires of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters here. Being gay or lesbian is really not primarily about sex, just as being in a straight marriage is mostly not about sex. The deep human need for companionate love goes well beyond our sexual desires! Otherwise, I found the questions proposed here to be a really useful exercise!
A thoughtful essay. I will quibble that there is an "othering" of the desires of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters here. Being gay or lesbian is really not primarily about sex, just as being in a straight marriage is mostly not about sex. The deep human need for companionate love goes well beyond our sexual desires! Otherwise, I found the questions proposed here to be a really useful exercise!
A really good summary of the possible ethics out there. Well done!
Very well said! Thank you for these enlightening thoughts.