Why is sex such a taboo subject in religion?

[karadan]

I've never really understood this. Why has sex and sexuality been so repressed by religion? Was it just another system of control? Why was Mary a virgin? That's just the stupidest idea ever, in my opinion.

Sex is awesome. It should be celebrated, not stifled.

[curiosityandthecat]

Embarrassment.
Control.
Repression.
Distinction.

There are dozens of reasons. It all basically just snowballed. At religion's conception, humans were trying to a) understand nature and their newfound humanity, and b) distinguish themselves from animals. Animals' sex lives are... open, to say the least. See where this is going?

The idea of Mary being a virgin was (if I remember correctly) simply a way for the New Testament to fulfill some Old Testament prophesies. It was far from original and, from a historical standpoint, rather hokey. Later on, when Christianity was being spread all over Europe--where most of the people were in one way or another Pagan or, at the very least, members of a loosely-connected group of polytheistic religions (collections of superstitions more than a "religion")--it was a way to separate the Christians from the Pagans. As time went on, it became a way to distinguish your specific brand of Christianity from another, one which is antagonistic to yours: "Well, sexuality has been looked down upon, so if we're more prudish than that sect, then we're better!" And so on. And so on.

Idiotic.

Sex is great, and should definitely be celebrated, as you said. It's also more complicated than just what I've said. In Asia, for example, you will find some of the most conservative cultures in the world (sexually) with little to no influence of Christianity. Then, on the other hand, you have the Japanese...  

[karadan]

Nice. Thanks for the reply!

I love the Japanese. No where else in the world can you find vending machines which contain used panties!! I find it funny that women can't be seen to have shaved if being filmed for pornographic purposes but then they can do and act as depraved as they like with the only limitation being the pixelation of varous acts.

Seems a bit topsy-turvy to me but i love them for it.

I seriously have to visit that culture.

[curiosityandthecat]

Well, go! Just try to avoid Tokyo. It's waaaay too busy. On the otherhand, it's absolutely necessary that you visit the Harijuku district.

[karadan]

Well, go! Just try to avoid Tokyo. It's waaaay too busy. On the otherhand, it's absolutely necessary that you visit the Harijuku district.

I definitely will (once i've been promoted at work and have spare cash, hehe). My ex-girlfriend is Japanese and keeps asking me to visit. That, in itself, is enough motivation for me to drop everything and get my ass to Osaka.

[Kyuuketsuki]

I've never really understood this. Why has sex and sexuality been so repressed by religion? Was it just another system of control? Why was Mary a virgin? That's just the stupidest idea ever, in my opinion.

Sex is awesome. It should be celebrated, not stifled.

Cat is right, sex is power ... it (and violence LOL) is part of our basic nature

I've thought for sometime that most (if not all) of the things we do can be attributed to our basic need to find a compatible partner.

Kyu

[Arthur Dent]

As I grew up I was told that sex of ANY kind before marriage was equal to irreversible failure. Many people (catholic girls?) have this belief, but that's generally a personal, individual choice. I grew up through my teenage and early dating years in a group that shared this belief which had been forced upon us. The intention was to keep us focused on God, keep us safe and create social cohesion. It starts out like a good idea, but things eventually take a turn for the worst.

Everyone was in the same boat, with everything, so we were all extremely close with one another. We were so "Special" though, we felt that only those in our group were worth dating. Initial dating was also more intellectual than physical. We had all of this spiritual stuff to discuss and it made couples feel stronger than normal; forced to pursue something "deeper" than sex. As the euphoria wore off though, you'd start to struggle with the sexual tension that only now seemed appropriate. It really began to have the reverse effect of what was intended. People couldn't stop thinking about sex, and yet they had no out. When you were with another person, everything was that much more arousing too. It was either torture to resist each other, or you gave in, either by accident or choice (in whatever form). Those who slipped up would fade out of the group, not being able to get reconcile their guilt with all that they had taken on faith.

My whole life has been a social experiment. In the end, everyone has regrets, guilt and friends they went too far with.

[brekfustuvluzerz]

mary was a virgin to prove that jesus was the son of god. i would have a hard time arguing that i am the son of god, because i came from a humans penis in sperm form. i have a physical father. jesus did not, so it gave the claim a little more credibility. plus all the other religions were using that. and maybe the repression of sex is an attempt to take power from the woman and give it to the man. if men dont participate in sex and suppress those urges, then women loose some (if not all) of their power over men. for some reason, the church (historically, at least) hates when women are given any power.

[Wechtlein Uns]

I am naturally shy and awkward around women(though I'm nothing of the sort when I'm in public.   :cool:

[nikkixsugar]

What do you guys think of the "Abstinence Only" education?

I think it's BS!

[Sophus]

It's a prejudice thought, and prejudism has its way of working itself into religion. This is just another reason for the "righteous" to point fingers. Many people, religious or not, seem to think illy of lewds.

I don't have a problem with the teaching of "Abstinence Only." It's a good way avoiding STDs and other complications. Not to mention sex is overrated.

[Tom62]

Religion despises everything that bring people fun, joy and happiness. I think that the reason behind is that that religion thinks that only God can bring true eternal bliss and happiness. Having fun is evil, because it turns people away from God. People who are having fun with sex are substituting the love from God with the pleasures of the human flesh. Abstinence it therefore the ideal rule, because it keeps people "pure" from temptation from the "devil". Since religion would die out quickly in case they would forbid sex completely, they allow people to have sex but for reproduction reasons only. Having fun with sex, remains a big No, No. BTW I always wondered why the Pope, who uses his organ for peeing only, has any moral rights to make decisions about the sex life of millions of his followers. Anyway, I think that the sexual oppression by religion is a disgrace. It is sick and evil and has ruined the lives of too many people on this planet. Religion will never stop doing that for one simple reason. People, who feel miserable are more tempted to believe that there is an happier afterlife waiting for them than people who are happy. So it is in the interest of religion to make people feel bad, because they would gain much more followers than by making people feel good about themselves.

[Arthur Dent]

I think you're onto something with the pleasure bit.

sexual repression totally screwed me up. I think waaaaay to highly of sex and I'm bound to both disappoint and be disappointed when I get around to losing my virginity. All my life it's been "wait until marriage" but now I'm "allowed" and I don't know what the hell to do! lol.

[brekfustuvluzerz]

this is to the guys

i believe that sex too early in a relationship is damaging. your brain, in desiring sex from another, does something very interesting: it makes you interested in the other person, it makes you feel like being more romantic, it changes you. once the sex is had, your brain reverts to normal, and if you havent truly bonded with the person on more than a physical level, you will become bored with them pretty quickly. this is what i think should be taught to kids, not wait until marriage, just wait six months to a year if its someone you care about (or just use your judgment). if its all about the punani, then let her know of your intentions.

[Martian]

They don't want people to have fun.