In Theory: Are questions regarding the age of consent a matter of moral relativism?
In response to allegations that U.S. Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore pursued relationships with teenage girls while in his 30s, Alabama state Auditor Jim Zeigler drew controversy when he weighed in with the story of Joseph and Mary. Joseph was an adult, Biblical scholars say, while Mary was a young teen when she gave birth to Jesus after immaculate conception.
“There’s just nothing immoral or illegal here,” Ziegler said. “Maybe just a little bit unusual.”
Some religious leaders have objected to Ziegler’s comments, while others have furthered support of the beleagured Senate candidate, now 70.
“We stand with Judge Roy Moore, a man of integrity who has never wavered from his valiant defense of the unborn, the Ten Commandments and the Constitution,” states a recent letter signed by “pro-family leaders and pastors from across the nation.”
A review of age-of-consent laws from the Center for History and New Media shows long-changing legal and cultural views regarding intergenerational sex and marriage, and the legal age of consent varies across the U.S. and the globe. Alabama’s is 16.
Q. Are questions regarding the age of consent a matter of moral relativism? Should historical and religious perspectives inform how we view sexual relationships between adults and teens?
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The issue isn’t Alabama’s age of consent, but the fact that several young women accused Moore of sexual assault. If the allegations are true, then his behavior was immoral, regardless of age-of-consent laws or marriage customs.
It is clear from the biblical narrative that sexual abuse and assault were considered immoral in the ancient world just as they are today. Zeigler appears to be unaware of this or has chosen to ignore it.
When Mary and Joseph lived — indeed, throughout much of history — teenage marriage was the norm. Difficult as it is for us to imagine, any daughter of devout Jewish parents in those days would have been prepared emotionally and intellectually to marry an older man during her teen years. As the story of Jacob’s marriage to Rachel and Leah shows, young women who didn’t marry early risked social stigma.
I wouldn’t argue for a return to biblical marriage customs, but the young women at least were protected by their parents’ oversight of the courtship and strict obligations on the part of the husband and his family. These customs aren’t analogous in any way to Moore’s case.
Of course, the allegations against Moore haven’t been proven, and he is entitled to due process. Even so, it is a mistake for his defenders to try to justify the kind of behavior his accusers describe. Appeals to the Bible certainly don’t work.
Michael White
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
La Crescenta
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Questions regarding the age of consent will ultimately be a matter of absolute and not relative morality, because God’s morality is absolute. God created the physical universe with its natural laws, and he also created human beings in his own image who are accountable to his moral laws. Among these are laws regarding marriage and sexuality.
It does appear that culture has some influence on what exact age is considered appropriate for marriage. During the time of Mary and Joseph it was acceptable for young women in their teens to get married. In American culture it is not. With the example of Joseph and Mary we know that Mary was at least physically old enough to bear a child. So here we find no justification of child marriage. At what age a person is considered an adult varies from culture to culture, but not by very much.
The only absolute, unchanging and binding perspective on human sexuality is Scripture. And God is more than willing to guide anyone who truly seeks his wisdom and will in this issue.
Pastor Jon Barta
Burbank