Sally Bertlin (Editor), February 2013

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'The Family and Sexual Ethics: Christian Foundations and Public Values' was an international conference held in Hong Kong in May 2011, organised by the Hong Kong Baptist University and the Jubilee Centre.

In recent years there has been a growing international interest and concern about the pressures of the environment and the consequences of this for the long-term survival of the planet. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the breakdown of the family and its consequences for the ecology of the planet. Family breakdown is being driven partly by divorce and partly by today's sexual ethics, which then impact on rates of family formation and disintegration.

On the strength of Jubilee Centre's sexual ethics work over recent years, we mobilised a team of scholars, including Jonathan Burnside, Jeremy Ive, Dale Kuehne, Jennifer Roback Morse and Michael Schluter, who presented papers together with a group of Chinese academics.

This report is a collection of ten short papers from the conference, each under two pages long to ensure as wide a readership as possible.

Keywords: Christianity & Religion, Lifestyle Issues, Sex & Families, Worldviews & Culture

John Hayward & Guy Brandon, June 2011

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Cohabitation serves a range of purposes and masks a wide variety of commitment levels: it cannot be considered solely as an alternative to marriage, as is its popular perception. Building on the Jubilee Centre's 2010 report into cohabitation trends, and based on even more recent data from the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study, this year-by-year analysis reveals a clearer picture of how trends have changed over time – and continue to change – and a better understanding of the present situation. This allows for a broader range of conclusions and a better understanding of how cohabitation itself is viewed by couples today, compared to attitudes in previous decades.

Keywords: Sex & Families

John Hayward & Guy Brandon, February 2010

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The nature of cohabitation in the UK presents a rapidly changing landscape. This report provides an up-to-date analysis of cohabitation statistics, using the most recent British Household Panel Survey data. It shows that cohabitation is a less stable form of relationship today than it was 15 years ago and is generally short-lived. This is particularly pronounced for those couples with children. Contrary to popular opinion, cohabitation does not serve as a ‘trial marriage’ but instead significantly increases the odds of divorce.

Discuss the report on our blog, at Common Law Marriage.

(N.B. Report updated 4 March 2010)

Keywords: Lifestyle Issues, Sex & Families

Jubilee Centre Research Team, October 2009

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Asserting that ‘Marriage is as important as the economy to the nation’s overall health,’ the Jubilee Centre has conducted an analysis of a range of fundamental measures to generate a single figure that reveals the overall health of marriage in the country: 61.3% – down from 85% in 1970.

The UK Marriage Index, comparable to a similar Index just launched in the USA, is a unique indicator that challenges each of us to get more involved in our communities. It asks, 'Will you get involved in – or start – a relationship and parenting education programme? Will you be intentional about talking to children about marriage? Will you encourage young people to see dating within the context of finding and winning the right person for marriage?'

Download the report using the button below and then comment on the report on our blog.

Keywords: Sex & Families

Christopher Pain, July 2007

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In this pioneering report by Chris Pain, he argues that given Jesus teaching about the priority of relationships, we have much to gain from studying how Jesus conducted his own relationships. In addition, this paper makes initial suggestions as to the method by which the gospel accounts can be studied so as to open up more fully their relational insights.

Keywords: Sex & Families

Jonathan Burnside, August 2006

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In this major new report from the Jubilee Centre a new and powerful line of critique of contemporary sexual ethics is opened, one the Jubilee Centre is continuing to research. Our contention is that the morality of a decision regarding sexual practice can only adequately be judged when the interests of third parties are taken into account. To put it another way, debate should be focused around a positive concern for the communities we seek to protect. What about the toll upon ones spouse, children, extended family, friends or colleagues some or all of whom will be affected by decisions consenting adults take? A serious concern to build community requires a new, less individualistic basis for sexual offences. This thorough and insightful study of sexual offences in biblical law (Leviticus 20 in particular), opens a new, and surprisingly fruitful, way forward.

Keywords: Sex & Families

Simon Burton, January 2006

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This report explores in some depth the scientific evidence relating to the causes of homosexuality. It is intended to be a critical evaluation of the various theories focussing on both historical and contemporary evidence. It does not examine the morality of homosexuality or any of the theological, social and political issues that it raises. It examines three areas in particular: neurohormonal, genetic and psychological theories.

Keywords: Sex & Families

Nick Spencer, September 2002

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Post-war Britain witnessed a revolution in mobility. In 50 years our average daily mileage increased four-fold and our car ownership from 2 to 25 million. Today we travel further to work, to learn and to shop than ever before, and move with ever greater frequency. Where do we go from here? offers a biblical perspective on our modern mobility and suggests that to build strong relationships and communities we need to rediscover the meaning and value of roots.

(Out of print - available to download)

Keywords: Sex & Families

Jubilee Policy Group, January 1994

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This document was produced by CARE and the Jubilee Policy Group as the foundation paper to their joint project on family policy. The aim of the project was to assess the opportunities for closer cooperation between agencies and organisations concerned for the impact of public policy on families today. In particular, its intention was to examine on what basis Christian and secular organisations can work more closely together in presenting the case for sustaining family life and commitment in family relationships.

Keywords: Sex & Families

Jubilee Policy Group, November 1991

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An ageing population challenges society to review its attitudes towards old age and the relationship between elderly people and the society of which they are part so that the well-being of both can be secured...

Keywords: Sex & Families

Julia Burton-Jones, January 1990

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Julia Burton-Jones looks at the circumstances of elderly people in modern Britain in the light of biblical teaching about the role they should fulfil in society. The model she presents looks at the wellbeing of the elderly person in terms of not just their material circumstances, but also the relational framework of their lives.

Keywords: Sex & Families

Michael Schluter, April 1987

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Many people recognise the central importance of the family as the foundation for building a more caring and concerned Britain. However, few have identified the vital role of the 'family network' - that wider group of relatives who interact with us and also with one another. The cornflakes packet family, of two parents and two children around the breakfast table, is the core of many family units, but it is only part of the full picture...

Keywords: Sex & Families

Michael Schluter and Roy Clements, January 1986

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The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance and feasibility of applying Old Testament teaching on socio economic issues to contemporary western societies. The paper falls into three parts. The first looks at Old Testament Israel's social structure and in particular the structure and role of the family. The second examines whether and how to apply Israel's institutions and values to society in the twentieth century. And the third illustrates the way this can be done for several areas of British economic and social policy in the 1980s.

Keywords: Sex & Families