The Church considers foreplay a sexually stimulating act and therefore not to be engaged in outside of the proper institution of marriage. Such things as heavy kissing or petting and the like fall under this category.
The reason the Church takes this stance is for several reasons:
- Such actions heighten the sexual desire, making it difficult to be able to stop when they have begun
- They are properly the prelude to sexual relations, which is proper to marriage only
- Can encourage lust: the mind takes away emotions and images and imaginations/fantasies that can become sinful when thought about later
- It is disrespectful to both parties to engage in such activities reserved for the commitment of matrimony, to take the delights without the responsibilities
- Shows an immaturity, seeking pleasure without consequences
- Clouds the judgment, couples that become intimately involved are very forgiving of other faults or red flags, signs which indicate the two are not good for each other in the long run, nor would make a good marriage.