Religion and sex

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First, I want everybody to realize that I'm not out here to hurt anyone's religious feelings in any way. I'm just trying to ask an honest question, OK?

Why are several of the great religions of the world (especially the big three of Abrahamic monotheism) so "obsessed" with the concept of sexual sin? Entire chapters of the Holy books of these religions are devoted to this subject. What is it about the extra marital, non-reproductive sex act that so grieves the Trinity/Jaweh/Allah? In my personal opinion, sex is a relatively unimportant aspect of human life, just a little more noteworthy than going to the toilet - especially if no reproduction is involved. So, what's all the fuss about, I wonder? Or am I missing something?

For instance, I'm currently reading the Confessiones by St Augustine, which is a very interesting work BTW. Again, entire passages of his confessions are about his sexual wrongdoings. It all seems a bit obsessive to me.

Sex makes babies. Magically.

Because it is important for men (who, not coincidentally, authored all of the monotheistic religioins) to control female fertility; otherwise, they may end up 'wasting' their resources on someone else's offspring.

It seems that it was a form of control, and of course male dominance, and sex was only for the purpose of making babies and nothing more than that, I don't know what they did with women who couldn't conceive, wouldn't be a pretty thing probably.

I'm an atheist and I would say sex is a little more important than going to the toilet.

Augustine WAS obsessed with sex.
No question.

As to the why of the rules, these
were important considerations.
Fundamentally, we are designed
to pass our genes along. If monogamy
is not the norm, it makes little sense
to invest in caring for children.

Yes, you're missing something.

For most people, sex is something one thinks about quite a lot and it appears to be quite natural (almost universal) to associate some sort of major value or significance with the act. Even people who have casual sex place see great value in it.

Religion in part exists in order to maintain a certain amount of order and stability in a given group of people. There are a lot of far-reaching consequences for a society that abandons all sexual mores. It's not all that important if you slip up and steal a pack of gum or yell at your mother... you can pretty much make it all better again, if you like. But if you slip up and go bang somebody, you could get a disease or have a baby. Those consequences can last a lifetime, which is just one of the many reasons why sexual religious morality appears to steal the spotlight.

It depends, what if you don't go alone to the bathroom?

Sorry friends... You've unleashed my brutal...

Reading this ridiculous crap makes me want to reach into my computer, through the internet, and crack the two of your heads together. <clunk!> You two are both obviously virgins. Even if you've managed to have sex with someone else, I still think you're virgins; you'd have to be to be making statemens like these; what you've described is basically masturbation, which can include a partner you care nothing for. Forget about this bizzare notion of sex that you have that equates it to "going to the toilet". What you need to experience is making love. The physical act is superficially similar, but the deep, heartfelt emotional connections that accompany the act of making love are something that you should strive to experience; nothing brings two people closer. It is much more than a physical act; it is a merging of souls. "Unimpotant..." "Going to the toilet..." Good gods; you presume to judge that which you've obviously never experienced, in a way that is insultingly dismissive.

It is my sincere hope that you and those like you are blessed with experiences to enable you to see how shallow these dismissive catagorizations really are. Really; best of luck to you in gaining the life experience to grow beyond your insecurities and hangups.

Good fortune,

- Icarus wants off this crazy train

I think a lot of the rules set down regarding sex in some religions were just plain common sense. But common sense in the ability to keep the tribe strong. What they do with this power, well that's another topic.

(lol, one of my favorite quotes is Augustine's)

I have been reluctant to speak this way around here, but you're not alone in this view.... you did a better job of explaining than I would have, anyhow.

As I've become fond of saying... It is my special blessing to need to say out loud what others only dare to think; and it is also my curse to take the fire that comes with doing so. You know me; I take them both in stride.

I seek only to promote that which experience has shown me to be true, towards the betterment of my fellow man (and woman). My shortcoming is likely a lack of tact, which might serve to alienate those who I seek to help; but such is the way of things...

Good fortune,

- Icarus is a lighting rod

This is true for some, but
not all see this. Many have
a very non-spiritual view of
sex, one which doesn't really
include loving.

Me, I see sex and religion as
intimately tied together. Which
is why I fantasize about sex in
a cathedral.

Thanks for all the replies, people. I guess sex *is* important to many people, so it's not strange that religions should put lots of emphasis on it.

Still, with all respect, I don't buy this entire "sex is different from making love" story, at least not without serious doubts. In my opinion, this is possibly just made up to rationalize and idealize something which is nothing more than pure physical lust. Man, in my view, is just another great ape - on two legs, and with a larger helping of brain - who just wants to feel a nice sensation in his genitals. I even doubt whether there really exists such a thing as romantic love in and of itself; isn't it just a mental artefact of our sex drives? Don't get me wrong, I would like it to exist, and I'd even be willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, but some part of me will keep doubting, perhaps until the very unlikely event that I ever make love to a woman. Sorry, I'm just a "love agnostic" I guess.

And yes, I am a virgin. But I've had plenty of opportunities to observe other people's romantic relationships. Most of them aren't very happy - not very unhappy either -, and many people seem to have mediocre sex lives and tend to lose interest in each other physically.

Oh, I know. I'm very... opinionated on certain subjects, so much so on some of them that I can't help not keeping my yap shut; that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm not cognizant of alternate views. But... sex is little more thang going to the toilet? No, I can't keep quiet on that one, despite the fact that it's just my opinion versus the opinions of others. Life has taught me sex can more than that, so much more; I only wish to help others to understand that, though it may be little more than my humble opinion.

Besides... if gwenevyn is of of a simlar view, then I'm sure I'm right.


I hear the Catholic church is having trouble recruiting new acolytes.

Good fortune,

- Archbishop Icarus

Big differences. And, even when you are in
love, not all sex is making love. BUT, not
all lovemaking is sex, either.