Access to human sexuality education in the faith community and beyond

We live in a society of many cultures that is deeply conflicted about human sexuality. The daily images and messages we receive influence how we see ourselves and how we related to others as human beings in the fullest sense. The United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association have jointly developed a comprehensive lifespan sexuality education resource, Our Whole Lives - Sexuality and our Faith. Based on the values of self worth, sexual health, responsibility and justice and inclusivity, and working with parents and guardians in providing age-appropriate sexuality education including information on contraception, the program hopes to reduce the incidence of unplanned and problem pregnancies, encourage youth to honor and value their sexuality, and help in equipping youth with the information necessary to make healthy decisions that will impact their entire lives. Sexual health is important and should not be ignored in faith communities. We can not separate our sexual selves from our spiritual selves.