ETHC 445 Week 2 Religion and Ethics

Grace J.
August 7, 2025August 7, 2025
CU BSN, ETHC-445

Student Name

Chamberlain University

ETHC-445 Principles of Ethics

Prof. Name

Date

Religion and Ethics

Two distinct scenarios involving conflicts between personal choices and religious beliefs will be analyzed. The first concerns an 18-year-old lesbian girl whose religion opposes same-sex relationships. She faces the dilemma of whether to disclose her sexual orientation to her parents. The second scenario involves a couple who lost their child due to a rare disease and, being now infertile, are considering in vitro fertilization (IVF), which their religion forbids. The objective is to explore how ethics and religion intersect in each situation and to identify ethical and unethical courses of action.

Ethics & Religion: Lesbian

Many cultures and religions hold varied and often negative views on same-sex relationships. In numerous societies, identifying as lesbian or gay is stigmatized or outright condemned. The first case involves an 18-year-old woman wrestling with whether to reveal to her parents that she is a lesbian. According to Christian doctrine, same-sex relationships are prohibited; specifically, Romans 1:26-27 condemns such behavior as unnatural and punishable (Gnuse, 2015).

Ethics, defined as principles of what is morally right or wrong, often intersect with religious teachings—individuals loyal to their faith typically follow the moral codes dictated by their religious texts and leaders (Rachels & Rachels, 2019). The woman’s situation is complicated because although she identifies as a lesbian and accepts that aspect of herself, she likely also values her religious beliefs.

Ethical and Unethical Paths for the Lesbian Scenario

Path	Description	Ethical Frameworks Involved
Ethical	She chooses to be honest with her parents about her sexuality. Acknowledging her identity may relieve internal conflict.	Emotivism: Encourages expressing true feelings; Natural Law: Advises consulting God and family as part of purpose; Divine Command: Moral obligation to obey God but balanced with personal integrity (Rachels & Rachels, 2019).
Unethical	She suppresses her identity, denying her true feelings and deceiving her family and herself.	Emotivism: May discourage honesty based on personal discomfort; Divine Command: Might view openness as disobedience, but this is debated.

Ultimately, the woman’s decision is deeply personal. However, from an ethical standpoint that values authenticity and emotional well-being, disclosing her truth is advisable.

Ethics & Religion: IVF Couple

Joe and Mary lost their daughter to a rare disease and are now infertile. They desire another child and are considering IVF. The Catholic Church explicitly forbids reproductive technologies like IVF, as it views conception outside natural intercourse as immoral. Catholic doctrine strongly values the sanctity of human life, opposes abortion, and teaches that procreation should occur naturally within marriage (Sallam & Sallam, 2016).

This couple faces a moral quandary: should they adhere strictly to religious doctrine or pursue IVF to fulfill their wish for another child? This dilemma demands reflection, prayer, and sincere consideration of their personal values.

Ethical and Unethical Paths for the IVF Scenario

Path	Description	Ethical Frameworks Involved
Ethical	They choose to follow their heartfelt desire to have a child, possibly opting for IVF despite religious prohibitions.	Divine Command Ethics: Advises obedience to God’s law, suggesting no IVF; Emotivism: Supports decision based on personal feelings; Natural Law: Encourages prayer and trusting medical science as a gift to aid procreation (Sallam & Sallam, 2016).
Unethical	They reject their desire for a child to avoid conflict with church doctrine, potentially causing emotional distress.	Divine Command Ethics: Strongly favors no IVF; Emotivism: May discourage pursuing IVF if personal feelings align with religion.

In conclusion, the ethical choice aligns with the couple’s authentic values and conscience. While religious directives are influential, the couple’s personal ethics and emotional needs are equally significant.

Conclusion

Ultimately, ethical decisions in situations where religion and personal values clash depend on individual conscience. Choosing a path that feels morally right to the person is the ethical route for them. Decisions diverging from religious teachings are not inherently immoral; morality involves personal reflection and adherence to one’s own sense of right and wrong.

References

Gnuse, R. K. (2015, May 1). Seven Gay Texts: Biblical Passages Used to Condemn Homosexuality. Biblical Theology Bulletin, 45(2), 68–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146107915577097

Rachels, J., & Rachels, S. (2019). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (9th ed.). New York, McGraw-Hill Education.