The views on marriage and sex differ greatly between the Catholic Church and Martin Luther. Though both agree to a different set of rules and regulations, Catholicism is a strict religion while Luther strived for a more accepting practice. Luther’s opinions on these topics agreed more with the opinions of the majority granting him the more modern of the two religions.
For the most part, the Lutheran outlook was a realistic one versus the exacting ridiculous virtues of the Catholic faith. On every point these two religions contrast.The Catholic Canons state that marriage is holy sacrament. If anyone says that matrimony is not truly and properly one of the seven sacraments of the evangelical law, instituted by Christ the Lord… let him be anathema. ”(Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, canon 1).
Lutheran views are the opposite holding marriage as an affair for the government. The ability to choose your martial spouse was upheld by Catholics and resented by Luther who believed that decision should be the parents’. Lust and sex is the original sin of any Bible following religion. Catholicism took the ‘sin’ portion to heart proclaiming anyone who wanted sex should be cursed.
Luther accepted lust and desire as a drive in every human being and deemed it acceptable only with your spouse or your betrothed. According to canon 9 “If anyone says that clerics…or regulars who have made solemn profession of chastity can contract marriage… even though they have made such a vow, let him be anathema, since God does not refuse that gift…neither does he allow us to be tempted above which we are able. ” (Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, canon 9). Catholics felt that chastity is kept holy and the Burnett2 promise of this virtue cannot be broken.
Though, Luther saw that chastity is not to be looked upon to be an easy gift given by God, but a struggle that may require lots of prayer and support. From the passages and canons of both beliefs, it is inferred that a warmth and coldness also separate Luther from Catholicism. Luther very openly accepts human lust and need for companionship. “She can live without a man as long as she can without eating, drinking, sleeping, and other natural necessities. Nor, on the other hand, can a man dispense with a wife. ” (Luther, passage 5).
Catholicism reaches an obligation and admired trait to not want a partner as well as live life without one. Clearly Luther has more compassion than those of Catholic faith. Overall, these religions are very different and quite opposite. Both faiths take the act of marriage to be the responsibility of the most opposite of departments. Also, sex is accepted by one and not the other as well as sex before marriage and free will of choice.
Ultimately these differences come from the more accepting and modern views of Luther in contrast to the conservative and traditional beliefs of the Catholic Church.
