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BODY and
SEXUALITY
A Christian Perspective on
Gender and Sexual Issues
First Grading
Module 2

Significant
Terms in
Sexuality
 BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues
PRAELOCUTIO

COME

In George R.R Martin’s Game of Thrones Series, Tyrion Lannister told Jon Snow: “Never forget what you are,
for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will
never be used to hurt you.”. He’s been called an imp, a demon monkey, a monster. He’s been accused of murder,
treason, corruption, greed. What’s worse is, not just society treats him that way- his own family does. A lifetime of
insecurity, discrimination, hatred and shaming has thickened Tyrion’s shell and therefore he became almost immune
to the way people behave towards him.
And so, when he sees Jon Snow the Bastard, in the beginning of the story, he’s not being a bitch calling him
an outcast. He’s sympathizing with him and trying to teach him an important lesson: DON’T LOSE YOUR IDENTITY
AND USE YOUR FLAW AS YOUR STRENGTH. In Jon’s case ironically, it’s based on a lie, but Jon took Tyrion’s
advice so seriously that he sees himself as less than anybody else for the rest of the story no matter how much triumph
and achievements he gets- and he will forever be a bastard mentally.
As we start the subject Body and Sexuality: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues, Module 2
will help us understand our body is the locus of ourselves that gives us our identity. With these objectives in mind,
Module 2 of our subject Body and Sexuality: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues will attempt to give
an understanding of the connection of our body with the environment and the things that we live out form our identity,
hence our so-called SELF.

SEE

Identity is largely concerned with the question: “Who are you?” What does it mean to be who you are? Identity
relates to our basic values that dictate the choices we. These choices reflect who we are and what we value. For
example, we can assume that the football player values his/her music and album, while the high school teacher values
education and helping students. However, few people choose their identities. Instead, they simply internalize the
values of their parents or the dominant cultures. Sadly, these values may not be aligned with one’s authentic self and
create an unfulfilling life. In contrast, fulfilled people are able to live a life true to their values and pursue meaningful
goals. Lack of a coherent sense of identity will lead to uncertainty about what one wants to do in life. A person may
hold multiple identities such as a teacher, father, or friend. Each position has its own meanings and expectations that
are internalized as identity.

A major task of self-development during early adolescence is the differentiation of multiple selves as a function
of social context with an awareness of the potential contradictions. What constitute the true self? The ultimate goal for
individuals is to develop and nurture those choices that are consistent with their true self. To deny the true self is to
deny the best within us. To find more happiness in life means to live in harmony with one’s true self.

Identity may be acquired indirectly from parents, peers, and other role models. Children come to define
themselves in terms of how they think their parents see them. If their parents see them as worthless, they will come to
define themselves as worthless. People who perceive themselves as likable may remember more positive than
negative statements. Identity is never “final” and continues to develop through the lifespan. Knowing one’s identity
accurately increases self-esteem and reduces depression and anxiety. When people are doing what they think they
should be doing, they are happy.
 BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues
PRE-LECTIO

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES MATERIALS

At the end of this Module 2 on BODY and Before we proceed to this module, please be
SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender reminded that you need the following:
and Sexual Issues, you should be able to:
• Writing materials
• Aralinks account (ONLINE LEARNING)
• Know the basic concept of the self and its relationship
• PC/laptop/tablet/smartphone
with the body.
• Speakers
• Understand the self is distinct from identity
• Understand the body influences sexual identity
• Know the concept of sexual identity in the Christian
perspective.

INSTRUCTIONS

As you proceed in this module, you will be guided by sub-topics that corresponds to the title of this module.
You will be either reading the given sub topics or opening the provided URL that will direct you to the media (music
or videos) that will help you in your learning in this module. At the end of the module, a reflective activity is provided
that is to be answered as your personal reflection.

• OFFLINE LEARNERS: Copy of the audio/video file will be provided for you.

• ONLINE LEARNERS: Copy of the audio/video file will be provided for you in your Microsoft Teams.

Street art by Venazir Martinez.

BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues
LECTIO

LISTEN

In understanding identity, one should first understand the

concept of the self. It is critical to accept the unity of the body
and self. All damage done to the body affects the self. However,
the self can transcend the body. Transcendence is not to be
understood as a form of body/soul dualism.

• Transcendence is to understand that the body is the

locus of the self.

• Within Christianity, “Self” is understood as moral self,

conscience, soul.

“WHO AM I?”
This question will serve as your personal reflection which
you can reflect upon at the end of this module.

Hila-bana Akha Tribe by Venazir Martinez

BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues

LECTIO

EXPERIENCE

Self-development

Self-development is a way for us to assess our skills

and qualities, consider our aims in life and set goals
in order to realize and maximize our potential. In
order to know and understand our own identity, we
will be guided by the thinkers of sociology and
psychology.

Retrieved from: http://silvercreekart.weebly.com/identity-mapping.html

BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues
LECTIO

EXPERIENCE

Erik
Erikson
Created a theory of personality development based, in part, on the
work of Sigmund Freud. However, Erikson believed the personality
continued to change over time and was never truly finished. His
theory includes eight stages of development, beginning with birth and
ending with death which people move through throughout their lives.

Photo retrieved from: https://socioemotional.weebly.com/erik-erikson.html

Jean
Piaget
A psychologist who specialized in child development who
focused specifically on the role of social interactions in
their development. He recognized that the development of
“self” evolved through a negotiation between the world as
it exists in one’s mind and the world that exists as it is
experienced socially.

Photo retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Piaget

George
Herbert Mead
Studied the Self as a person’s distinct identity that is developed through
social interaction. In order to engage in this process of “self,” an
individual has to be able to view him or herself through the eyes of others.
That’s not an ability that we are born with.

Through “Socialization” we learn to put ourselves in someone else's

shoes and look at the world through their perspective. This assists Photo retrieved from:
https://ourpolitics.net/george-herbert-mead-
us in becoming self-aware, as we look at ourselves from the perspective
pragmatic-philosophy/
of the "other."
BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues
LECTIO

EXPERIENCE

How is the “self”

related to the body?
The self is affected by what happens to the body.
Knowledge
. and control of one’s body is essential for the
construction of self-hood.
The development of the self is dependent upon relationships
with others including God, family and friends, the larger society,
the natural world, and also relationship with oneself through
reflection. This is a social constructionist stance, traced by
insistence on transcendental freedom in humans and by the Ben Wix. Photo retrieved from:
varied ability of particular bodies to convey data specific to https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/4
54722893624826815/?nic_v2=1
agency. a5QtqS8E

Identity
An umbrella term used throughout the social sciences to
describe a person’s conception and expression of individuality.
Identity is also a source of meaning for people. It is a
developmental process occurring within the personality and has
It refers to the capacity for self-reflection and awareness of self.

Identity is, thus, the entire personality of a human being in his

uniqueness, with psychological, biological and societal nature.
Identity formation is a universal feature of human experience.

The Body and Sexual Identity

Until the twentieth century, virtually everyone in the world understood that when a child is born, its genitalia
indicated what is called sex, gender and sexual orientation.

Male
Identity

Female
If the child had penis it was understood
that he is a male. He would take on the
social roles accepted for males
characterized as aggressive, rough,
unemotional, blunt, logical, direct, active, Identity
and sloppy and would be sexually If the child had vagina it was
attracted to females. understood that she is a female. She
would take on the social roles
accepted for females characterized as
unaggressive, gentle, emotional,
tactful, less logical, not ambitious,
dependent, passive, and neat and
would be sexually attracted to males.
 BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues
LECTIO

EXPERIENCE

Sex and Marriage

• For Christians, the word body is sexually consigned. Thus, to transcend the body is to abhor negative attitudes
towards sexuality and instills the idea of virginity.

Virginity
.

(in Christian perspective) is a conscious

rejection of the then current model of
marriage in favor of a singleness that
represented freedom in Christ to accept the
charisms of the Spirit and develop them in Chloe by Jules Joseph Lefebre

new activities and associations.

Marriage
A sacramental bond
primarily in terms of intimacy
and emotional commitment,
which are at least initially
based in the marital
experience of shared sexual
Retrieved from: delight
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/447263806725396905/?nic_v2=1a5QtqS8E

Marital
Sex
Is an experience of opening one’s body
and by implication one’s spirit becoming
vulnerable to the spouse, and being
rewarded with overwhelming pleasure
for taking that risk. Such pleasure is
Sexual
Desire
joyful that overflows onto others around
the couple, making them more open to
each other, their children, friends and
neighbors. Has the capacity to expand love as it
“awakens us to our own loveliness
and worth,” to self-love, as well as
helping to sustain relationships.
Shared sexual pleasure creates a
trust and openness that allows
emotional sharing.

Last Passionate Kiss by Leonid Afremov

SCIVISTINE (Did you know?)

Nowadays, sexual desire is understood as something not to be renounced

but as something like a premoral good. Sexual desire can clearly be misused,
as in pornography, types of sexual violence, seduction or sexual harassment.
Sexual desire is understood as general good, because it can produce physical
pleasure, relational bonding and the gift of children.
BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues
REFLECTIO

DISCERN

The 2008 song “Let Me Be Myself” by 3 Doors Down presented a story of a writer who is lost somewhere in the
past and is trying to find himself because he realized that he is being someone he is not. The writer is pleasing
himself to help him say “let me be myself” so that he can shine with his own lights. Listen to this song and reflect
on your own being and identity. Are you also like the writer described in the song? Or have you already
understood
. who you are as a person?

Let Me Be Myself
By 3 Doors Down

I guess I just got lost Please, would you one time

Being someone else Just let me be myself
I tried to kill the pain So, I can shine with my own light
Nothin' ever helped Let me be myself
I left myself behind For a while, if you don't mind
Somewhere along the way Let me be myself
Hoping to come back around So, I can shine with my own light
To find myself someday Let me be myself

Lately, I'm so tired of waiting for you That's all I've ever wanted from this world
To say that it's ok, but tell me Is to let me be me

Please, would you one time Please, would you one time
Just let me be myself Let me be myself
So, I can shine with my own light So, I can shine with my own light
Let me be myself Let me be myself

Would you let me be myself Please, would you one time

Let me be myself
I'll never find my heart So, I can shine with my own light
Behind someone else Let me be myself
I'll never see the light of day For a while, if you don't mind
Living in this cell Let me be myself
It's time to make my way So, I can shine with my own light
Into the world I knew Let me be myself
Take back all of these times
That I gave in to you

Lately I'm so tired of waiting for you

To say that it's ok, but tell me

Link to the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmDYbiyMHvo

Painting by Stuart Shave

BODY and SEXUALITY: A Christian Perspective on Gender Issues

REFERENCES

. Brazal, A. M. and Lizares Si, A. (1999) Body and Sexuality: Theological-Pastoral Perspectives of Women in Asia.
Quezon City: Ateneo De Manila University Press

Riley, M. (n. d.) Theological Trends: Catholic Social Thought Encounters Feminism. Retrieved from
http://www.theway.org.uk/back/31riley.pdf

Rowland, T. A. (2015) "Feminism from the Perspective of Catholicism,"Solidarity: The Journal of Catholic Social
Thought and Secular Ethics: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 1. Retrieved from
http://researchonline.nd.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1080&context=solidarity

Ruether, R. R. (2012) Ecofeminism – The Challenge to Theology DEP ISSN 1824 – 4483. Retrieved from
http://www.unive.it/media/allegato/dep/n20-2012/Ricerche/Riflessione/4_Ruether_Ecofeminism.pdf

Brown, M. (2014) Imago Dei in Thomas Aquinas The Saint Anselm Journal 10.1. Retrieved from
http://www.anselm.edu/Documents/Institute%20for%20Saint%20Anselm%20Studies/Fall%202014/Brown.pdf

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201412/basics-identity