Sexual Ethics Test

One Hundred Plus Questions

Related to Sexual Right and Wrong

 

Cluster 2

Version 1.10

Note: In the following few questions on incest, biblical references are sometimes given so as to enable respondents that look to the Bible for guidance to engage the issue of how incest is to be determined with some precision and without feeling tricked. This is by way of deference to the enormous cultural influence of the Bible in such matters and is an exception to the general practice in this test of not giving references to religious texts unless necessary for the sake of explanation.

Warning: For most people, the following section on incest is the most tedious part of the test. If questions two and three or any others, for that matter, seem too tedious or overwhelming (ugh! all those relatives!), just skip them and come back later when you're ready.

 

1. Regarding the particular relationships that are to be considered incestuous, how should they be defined?

  1. They should be defined by degrees of consanguinity (blood relation) and affinity (relation through marriage).
  2. They should be defined by an itemized list of relatives prohibited for either sexual contact or marriage, referring to those related by blood or through marriage; this should be without regard to degrees.
  3. They should be defined according to households, that is, according to "with whom" and "by whom" a person is raised.
  4. Nothing should be regarded as incestuous.
  5. I don't know.
  6. Other. Please elaborate.

 

2. Please indicate whether or not it should be considered incestuous and thus morally wrong for a human MALE to have sexual relations with any listed below.

(TIP: If you select either of the first two options -- that is, within one or more degrees of consanguinity or affinity -- you can save time by indicating only exceptions in the remaining part of the list.)

  1. Any female relative within this degree of consanguinity, that is of blood relation:
  2. Any female relative within this degree of affinity, that is of relation by marriage and not by blood:
  3. Any female he was raised with in the same household.
  4. Any female he was raised by.
  5. His adoptive sister.
  6. His brother's daughter.
  7. His brother's wife (Leviticus 18:16).
  8. His daughter (Leviticus 18:17, maybe).
  9. His daughter's daughter (Leviticus 18:10).
  10. His father's brother's daughter.
  11. His father's brother's wife (Leviticus 18:14).
  12. His father's daughter, i.e. his half-sister (Leviticus 18:9).
  13. His father's sister (Leviticus 18:12).
  14. His father's sister's daughter.
  15. His father's wife other than his mother (Leviticus 18:8; 1 Corinthians 5:1).
  16. His father's wife's daughter, i.e. his half-sister (Leviticus 18:11).
  17. His father's concubine or mistress (Leviticus 18:8).
  18. Any woman his father has had sex with (Amos 2:7, maybe).
  19. His mother (Leviticus 18:7).
  20. His mother's brother's daughter.
  21. His mother's brother's wife (Leviticus 20:20, maybe).
  22. His mother's daughter, i.e. his half-sister (Leviticus 18:9).
  23. His mother's sister (Leviticus 18:13).
  24. His mother's sister's daughter.
  25. His full sister (Leviticus 18:9, maybe).
  26. His sister's daughter.
  27. His son's daughter (Leviticus 18:10).
  28. His son's wife (Leviticus 18:15).
  29. His wife's sister (Leviticus 18:18).
  30. Both a woman and her daughter (Leviticus 18:17).
  31. Both a woman and her daughter's daughter (Leviticus 18:17).
  32. Both a woman and her son's daughter (Leviticus 18:17).
  33. Please specify other incestuous relationships for a male, whether with a female or a male.

  34. Avoidance of incest is a woman's moral duty, not a man's.
  35. Incest is not morally wrong.
  36. It always depends on the situation.
  37. I don't know.

 

3. Please indicate whether or not it should be considered incestuous and thus morally wrong for a human FEMALE to have sexual relations with any listed below.

(TIP: If you select either of the first two options -- that is, within one or more degrees of consanguinity or affinity -- you can save time by indicating only exceptions in the remaining part of the list. Another possibility for saving time: You can mirror the answers to the preceding question by checking this box and noting only exceptions below:)

  1. Any male relative within this degree of consanguinity, that is of blood relation:
  2. Any male relative within this degree of affinity, that is of relation by marriage and not by blood:
  3. Any male she was raised with in the same household.
  4. Any male she was raised by.
  5. Her adoptive brother.
  6. Her father's brother.
  7. Her husband's brother (Leviticus 18:16).
  8. Her father (Leviticus 18:17, maybe).
  9. Her mother's father (Leviticus 18:10).
  10. Her father's brother.
  11. Her husband's brother's son (Leviticus 18:14).
  12. Her father's son, i.e. half-brother (Leviticus 18:9).
  13. Her brother's son (Leviticus 18:12).
  14. Her mother's brother's son.
  15. Her husband's son, i.e. step-son (Leviticus 18:8; 1 Corinthians 5:1) .
  16. Her mother's husband's son, i.e. half-brother (Leviticus 18:11).
  17. Her male lover's son (Leviticus 18:8).
  18. The son of any man she has had sex with (Amos 2:7, maybe) .
  19. Her son (Leviticus 18:7).
  20. Her father's sister's son.
  21. Her husband's sister's son (Leviticus 20:20, maybe).
  22. Her mother's son, i.e. half-brother (Leviticus 18:9).
  23. Her sister's son (Leviticus 18:13).
  24. Her mother's sister's son.
  25. Her full brother (Leviticus 18:9, maybe).
  26. Her mother's brother.
  27. Her father's father (Leviticus 18:10).
  28. Her husband's father (Leviticus 18:15).
  29. Her sister's husband (Leviticus 18:18).
  30. A man with whom her mother or daughter has had sex (Leviticus 18:17).
  31. A man with whom her mother's mother or daughter's daughter has had sex (Leviticus 18:17).
  32. A man with whom her father's mother or son's daughter has had sex (Leviticus 18:17).
     
  33. Please specify other incestuous relationships for a female, whether with a male or a female.

  34. Avoidance of incest is a man's moral duty, not a woman's.
  35. Incest is not morally wrong.
  36. It always depends on the situation.
  37. I don't know.

 

4. Regarding a person who is related not by blood but through marriage and with whom it would be incestuous to have sexual relations: If the blood relative by whom the relation was established were to die, ought it to be considered incestuous and thus morally wrong for one to have subsequent sexual relations with that non-blood relative?

  1. Yes, it is wrong; because death never cancels a particular relation once established.
  2. Yes, except in the case of sisters (Leviticus 18:18) and levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
  3. No, it is not wrong; because death of an intermediary severs kinship.
  4. No, unless possession of a country is maintained through continuing kinship.
  5. No, because the premise is wrong. To have sexual relations with one who is not a blood relative should never be considered incestuous.
  6. No, because incest is not morally wrong.
  7. It depends on the culture.
  8. Other. Please elaborate.

 

5. Regarding a person who is related not by blood but through marriage and with whom it would be incestuous to have sexual relations: If the marriage by which the relation was established were to end in divorce, ought it to be considered incestuous and thus morally wrong for one (not the ex-spouse) to have sexual relations with that non-blood relative subsequent to the divorce?

  1. Yes, it is wrong; because divorce never cancels a particular kinship tie once established.
  2. No, it is not wrong; because divorce severs kinship.
  3. No, it is not wrong, unless there are children; if there are children, then a kinship tie remains in place; otherwise divorce severs it.
  4. No, because the premise is wrong. To have sexual relations with one who is not a blood relative should never be considered incestuous.
  5. No, because incest is not morally wrong.
  6. It depends on the culture.
  7. Other. Please elaborate.

 

6. Which of these people should be exempted from the rules of incest?

  1. Those who cannot have biological offspring together.
  2. Adults with each other, but not adults with minors.
  3. Minors with each other.
  4. Those who belong to a different kinship system. They should follow the rules of the system to which they belong.
  5. Everyone.
  6. None of the above.
  7. I don't know.

     

7. What, if anything, makes incest morally wrong?

  1. The Bible says it is wrong.
  2. Respect for cultural tradition.
  3. Family insularity; the importance of reaching out to others.
  4. An increased risk of psychological damage.
  5. An increased risk of birth defects.
  6. Introduction of an unhealthy element into family life.
  7. Irreverance towards parents either directly or indirectly through someone intimately bound to them.
  8. Incest is not morally wrong.
  9. I don't know.
  10. Other. Please elaborate.

 

8. Is it morally wrong for a man to have sexual relations with a menstruating woman, that is, with a woman during her period?

  1. No, it is not wrong.
  2. Yes, it is wrong; because the biblical books of Leviticus and Ezekiel say it is wrong.
  3. Yes, it is wrong for aesthetic reasons.
  4. Yes, it is wrong for other reasons. Please explain.

  5. It depends. Please explain.

  6. I don't know.

 

9. Is it morally wrong for a human being to have sexual relations with an animal?

  1. Yes, it is wrong, because the Bible says it is wrong.
  2. Yes, it is wrong, because humankind is thereby made more vulnerable to various diseases.
  3. Yes, it is wrong, because the fundamental inequality is demeaning to both animals and humans.
  4. Yes, it is wrong, because it is a mixing of unlikes.
  5. Yes, it is wrong, because it thwarts God's creative design.
  6. Yes, it is wrong, because true romantic love cannot exist between a human being and an animal; and such love should accompany sexual relations.
  7. Yes, it is wrong, because an animal cannot give true consent, since it lacks a human-like will.
  8. No, it is not wrong, because people should be able to follow their sexual inclinations.
  9. No, it is not wrong, because nature makes it possible.
  10. It is wrong for a man but not for a woman. Please explain.

  11. It is wrong for a woman but not for a man. Please explain.

  12. It depends on the circumstances.
  13. I don't know.
  14. Other. Please elaborate.

 

10. Is it morally wrong for a human male to have sexual relations with another human male?

  1. Yes, it is wrong, because it thwarts God's creative design.
  2. Yes, it is wrong, because it is revolting.
  3. Yes, it is wrong, because it deprives the opposite sex.
  4. Yes, it is wrong, because the Bible says so.
  5. Yes, it is wrong; one should hate the offense but love the offender, although love might mean being tough with him until he turns away from such offenses for good.
  6. Yes, it is wrong; one should hate both offense and offender.
  7. No, it is not wrong.
  8. No, it is not wrong, unless they are relatives.
  9. No, it is not wrong, provided mutual love is present.
  10. No, it is not wrong, provided they are committed to one another.
  11. It depends on the sexual activities engaged in.
  12. It depends on the circumstances.
  13. I don't know.
  14. Other. Please elaborate.

 

11. Is it morally wrong for a human female to have sexual relations with another human female?

  1. Yes, it is wrong, because it thwarts God's creative design.
  2. Yes, it is wrong, because it is revolting.
  3. Yes, it is wrong, because it deprives the opposite sex.
  4. Yes, it is wrong, because the Bible says so.
  5. Yes, it is wrong; one should hate the offense but love the offender, although love might mean being tough with her until she turns away from such offenses for good.
  6. Yes, it is wrong; one should hate both offense and offender.
  7. No, it is not wrong.
  8. No, it is not wrong, unless they are relatives.
  9. No, it is not wrong, provided mutual love is present.
  10. No, it is not wrong, provided they are committed to one another.
  11. It depends on the sexual activities engaged in.
  12. It depends on the circumstances.
  13. I don't know.
  14. Other. Please elaborate.

 

12. Regarding a person who has had a sex change operation, with which statement(s) do you agree?

  1. It is morally wrong for that person to have sexual relations with a member of that person's former sex.
  2. It is morally wrong for a member of that person's former sex to have sexual relations with that person knowingly.
  3. It is morally wrong for that person to have sexual relations with a member of that person's new sex.
  4. It is morally wrong for a member of that person's new sex to have sexual relations with that person knowingly.
  5. It is morally wrong for that person to have sexual relations with any person other than one who has had a sex change operation in the opposite direction.
  6. It is morally wrong for any person other than one who has had a sex change operation in the opposite direction to have sexual relations with that person knowingly.
  7. There is nothing morally wrong with that person having sexual relations with a member of any sex.
  8. There is nothing morally wrong with a member of any sex having sexual relations with that person.
  9. Due to the sex change operation, it is morally wrong for that person to have sexual relations with anybody.
  10. Due to the sex change operation, it is morally wrong for anybody to have sexual relations with that person knowingly.
  11. It is morally okay for a person with a sex change operation to have sexual relations with a spouse married prior to the sex change, but any marrying after a sex change should be to an individual of a sex different from that person's new sex.
  12. It is morally wrong for that person to have sex with any person without first informing him or her of the sex change.
  13. The rightness or wrongness of that person's sexual relationships depends on the circumstances.
  14. I don't know.
  15. Other. Please elaborate.

 

13. If two members of the same sex have an exclusive sexual relationship with each other, is that less morally offensive than if they were not exclusive?

  1. Yes, by a matter of degree.
  2. Yes, in fact monogamy-like exclusivity removes all offense.
  3. No, monogamy-like exclusivity makes no difference; members of the same sex having sex is just as morally offensive regardless.
  4. No, there is nothing wrong with members of the same sex having sex whether they are sexually exclusive or not.
  5. No, on the contrary, sexual exclusivity is worse; for it is selfish.
  6. I don't know.
  7. Other. Please elaborate.

 

14. Regarding the value of monogamy, that is, marriage with two and only two partners, with which statement(s) do you agree?

  1. Monogamy has value, because it entails fullness of self-giving.
  2. Monogamy has value, because it is a key element in facilitating true intimacy, which people need.
  3. Monogamy has value, because it is the most equitable social arrangement with regard to the channeling of the sex drive and of the desire for children.
  4. Monogamy has value, because it has been shown to be socially workable.
  5. Monogamy has value, because it minimizes the negative impact of jealousy.
  6. Monogamy has value, because it is the biblical ideal for humankind to pursue as represented archetypically both by Adam and Eve and by Noah and his wife.
  7. Monogamy has value, because it conforms to the New Testament re-establishment of the ideal of one husband to one wife.
  8. Fundamentally monogamy is a matter of personal preference and has no general value worth overriding personal preferences.
  9. Monogamy is detrimental. Please explain.

  10. I don't know.
  11. Other. Please elaborate.

 

15. When is having no more than one spouse at a time a moral obligation?

  1. When one has promised one's spouse that there will be no additional spouse.
  2. When two people have married in a culture that assumes that one or the other or both will have only one spouse at a time and they have not negotiated a different understanding.
  3. When one's spouse unilaterally demands that one have no additional spouse.
  4. When one is taught or told by one's parents to have no more than one spouse at a time.
  5. When one is taught or told by one's religious community to have no more than one spouse at a time.
  6. When one is allowed by the state to have no more than one spouse at a time.
  7. When having but a single spouse is prohibited by the state and one feels impelled to protest by way of civil disobedience and example.
  8. When one lives in a culture that would disapprove of having more than one spouse at a time.
  9. When one lives in a culture that allows members of only one sex to have multiple spouses and one feels impelled to live by a principle of social equality of the sexes without participating in a prohibited form of non-monogamy.
  10. When having but a single spouse is right for oneself.
  11. When one has forsworn, as a religious vow, having more than one spouse at a time.
  12. Whenever there is marriage. All marriages should be monogamous.
  13. Whenever there is polygamous marriage. In any given marriage, no more than one person should have multiple spouses; the others are obligated to have only the one spouse. Those persons obligated to have only one spouse should be:
    1. Only men.
    2. Only women.
    3. Whoever. Their sex does not matter, only that they are spouses of a person with multiple spouses.
  14. Only so long as two people are totally and exclusively in love with one another.
  15. Never. Marrying is never an obligation.
  16. Never. Marriage should be abolished. All people should live as asexual beings.
  17. Never. Marriage should be abolished. People should be able to pursue whatever sexual involvements they desire without any consideration for marriage.
  18. Never. All people entering marriage must have the option open of having multiple marital partners.
  19. I don't know.
  20. Other. Please elaborate.

 

 

 

Go to test instructions.

Go to cluster 1. (Previous)

Go to cluster 2.

Go to cluster 3. (Next)

Go to cluster 4.

Go to cluster 5.

Go to cluster 6.

Go to cluster 7.

Go to cluster 8.

Go to cluster 9.

Go to cluster 10.

Go to personal information questionnaire.

Go to report: The Theory of Human Sexuality and Marriage.

Go to home page.

Your feedback is welcome!

 

First draft completed, December 21, 1998; posted, December 21, 1998; new url, January 28, 2004; last modification, December 7, 2008

Copyright ©1998-2008 by Norman E. Anderson