Different purposes
Sexual rules arise from concerns about marriage, fidelity, desire, purity, family, renunciation and spiritual discipline. A monastic vow cannot automatically be treated as a universal rule for householders.
Adultery and misconduct
The Ten Commandments prohibit adultery, protecting trust within marriage. The Buddhist lay precept addresses sexual misconduct more broadly and can be interpreted through coercion, deception, betrayal, exploitation and foreseeable harm.
Celibacy and restraint
Jain ascetics undertake celibacy, while lay followers accept a more limited restraint. Brahmacharya in Yoga has been interpreted as celibacy, fidelity, moderation or disciplined sexuality. Stoic temperance asks whether desire has displaced reason and justice.
Consent and capacity
Meaningful consent must be informed, voluntary and given by a person with sufficient capacity. Force, threats, essential deception, severe intoxication and abuse of authority can invalidate apparent agreement.
Equality and power
Sexual rules have often been enforced unequally, with greater stigma imposed on women and victims while powerful offenders were protected. Authority figures have heightened responsibilities because dependency can compromise freedom.
A reasoned standard
Sexual conduct should be evaluated through consent, age, capacity, honesty, legitimate commitments, equality, power, foreseeable harm, privacy and equal human dignity. Celibacy can be ethical when freely chosen; conduct becomes unethical when it uses, deceives, coerces or endangers another person.