For example, within the scope of Christian ethic, Roman Catholics view sex within marriage as chaste, but prohibit the use of artificial contraception as an offense against chastity, seeing contraception as contrary to God's will and design of human sexuality. Many Anglican churches allow for artificial contraception, seeing the restriction of family size as possibly not contrary to God's will. A stricter view is held by the Shakers, who prohibit marriage (and indeed sexual intercourse under any circumstances) as a violation of chastity.
The first of these stages, known as brahmacharya, roughly translates as chastity. Celibacy is considered to be the appropriate behavior for both male and female students during this stage, which precedes the stage of the married householder. Many Sadhus (Hindu monks) are also celibate as part of their ascetic discipline. At the same time, it should be noted that prior to the arrival and spread of Islam in India, Hinduism was, by and large, a religion that celebrated the practice of sexuality within the context of marriage, producing famous manuals on the art of lovemaking such as the Kama Sutra. In classical Hinduism, sexual intercourse was seen as a sacred act.
The general Jain code of ethics requires that one do no harm to any living being in thought, action, or word. Adultery is clearly a violation of a moral agreement with one's spouse, and therefore forbidden, and fornication too is seen as a violation of the state of chastity.
Source: Wikipedia > Chastity
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