Has your religious/spiritual journey changed your views on sex?

[Deidre]

Depending on different religions and beliefs surrounding sexuality and sex, one's opinions and experiences regarding sex, can often change.

Some religions make a lot of different sex practices out to be ''sinful,'' while others, don't. Since many of us follow various religions and belief systems, thought I'd start a discussion to see where it all falls.

 

[Misunderstood]

Depending on different religions and beliefs surrounding sexuality and sex, one's opinions and experiences regarding sex, can often change.

Some religions make a lot of different sex practices out to be ''sinful,'' while others, don't. Since many of us follow various religions and belief systems, thought I'd start a discussion to see where it all falls.

I would say it has. As you can see I am Christian and it seems a lot of people seem to think Christians feel sex is sinful. I do not feel that way at all.

 

[Deidre]

I'm so glad to read that, Misunderstood. I think that is often true. I left Christianity as a whole, about five years ago, and identified as an atheist for a time, and then examined other faiths, and now consider myself spiritual, with a genuine appreciation for many religions. I also believe in much of what Jesus taught, but when I was practicing Christianity, there was a lot of negativity around sex. Sex outside of marriage is sinful, and even in marriage, there's this notion that God wouldn't condemn certain consenting acts. Have you been Christian all your life?

 

[SomeRandom]

I've sort of seen two paradigms crashing together where my family is concerned. And not out of race or age or anything like that. Like a literal mixture happening that seems to contradict themselves. On the one hand there's the Catholic influence (more or less shoved onto us) that is very conservative. Then there's the Dharmic background of embracing sexuality as something divine (though still done in private.)

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I've pretty much done a complete and total 180, going from a prudish and puritan Christian to adopting a far more relaxed and liberal view on it as I became less religious.

 

[Deidre]

I've sort of seen two paradigms crashing together where my family is concerned. And not out of race or age or anything like that. Like a literal mixture happening that seems to contradict themselves. On the one hand there's the Catholic influence (more or less shoved onto us) that is very conservative. Then there's the Dharmic background of embracing sexuality as something divine (though still done in private.)

I'm not familiar with the Dharmic views on that. Interesting.

 

[Deidre]

I've pretty much done a complete and total 180, going from a prudish and puritan Christian to adopting a far more relaxed and liberal view on it as I became less religious.

I wonder why so many Christians feel that sex is bad...even in marriage, some think this. As though God would be angry that we're gaining pleasure from sex. lol Um, he created it??

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I wonder why so many Christians feel that sex is bad...even in marriage, some think this. As though God would be angry that we're gaining pleasure from sex. lol Um, he created it??

In my experience, coming from such a Conservative background, it's because you don't have to look very far or hard to find examples in the Bible where sexual behavior is limited, restricted, forbidden, and punished.

 

[Kenny]

Depending on different religions and beliefs surrounding sexuality and sex, one's opinions and experiences regarding sex, can often change.

Some religions make a lot of different sex practices out to be ''sinful,'' while others, don't. Since many of us follow various religions and belief systems, thought I'd start a discussion to see where it all falls.

I grew up without religion and sex was a free for all.

Now as a Christian, I view sex as something God created, to be enjoyed but to be enjoyed with the woman you are married to as your body becomes the gift that is given to the one you made vows to.

 

[Mindmaster]

Depending on different religions and beliefs surrounding sexuality and sex, one's opinions and experiences regarding sex, can often change.

Some religions make a lot of different sex practices out to be ''sinful,'' while others, don't. Since many of us follow various religions and belief systems, thought I'd start a discussion to see where it all falls.

I was raised Catholic, but my family was sort of strange with it. Porno's in the bathroom meant by age five I knew all about women and men and what they do. I never found it strange or odd really or felt any shame for what was essentially just being human. I was never given a discouraging talk by my father or mother either. They just told me, "Birth control + condoms." Left it at that.

Probably, but only in the way that I typically am only interested in sex with the person I have the deepest spiritual connection with. Satanism itself really has no rules and anything goes, but of course with the limitation that the partner is willing.

 

[Misunderstood]

I'm so glad to read that, Misunderstood. I think that is often true. I left Christianity as a whole, about five years ago, and identified as an atheist for a time, and then examined other faiths, and now consider myself spiritual, with a genuine appreciation for many religions. I also believe in much of what Jesus taught, but when I was practicing Christianity, there was a lot of negativity around sex. Sex outside of marriage is sinful, and even in marriage, there's this notion that God wouldn't condemn certain consenting acts. Have you been Christian all your life?

I am so sad and it makes my heart hurt that those calling themselves Christian would cause you or anyone pain for what they have done in the past, as we have all done bad things. (not that I am saying anything you have done is bad, it is not for me to know or judge, just that I know I have.)

I would say no, I have always had doubts and put most of my faith in science. It wasn't until I was married ( I never married until I was about 36 and have not married again) that I would say I began to believe. She was a bi-polar girl and was Christian. It is a long story in fact to long to tell here. But, she had it pretty bad but kept her faith all the time. God was stronger in her than anyone I have ever met, God did things for her that I could not discount, anyway, that is the short version of why I believe.

Back to the Sex thing, I do believe we should be responsible for sure. But like you say it seems as though a sin of sex is thought of as the unpardonable sin. But from what I have read it seems Jesus has always taken pity on those who have been condemned by the religious leaders more than the religious leaders themselves, he seems to have a lot of contempt for them. I can not talk for God but I feel He would feel pity for you also if you did do something wrong. He cares about your heart not your sins.

 

[Deidre]

I am so sad and it makes my heart hurt that those calling themselves Christian would cause you or anyone pain for what they have done in the past, as we have all done bad things. (not that I am saying anything you have done is bad, it is not for me to know or judge, just that I know I have.)

I would say no, I have always had doubts and put most of my faith in science. It wasn't until I was married ( I never married until I was about 36 and have not married again) that I would say I began to believe. She was a bi-polar girl and was Christian. It is a long story in fact to long to tell here. But, she had it pretty bad but kept her faith all the time. God was stronger in her than anyone I have ever met, God did things for her that I could not discount, anyway, that is the short version of why I believe.

Back to the Sex thing, I do believe we should be responsible for sure. But like you say it seems as though a sin of sex is thought of as the unpardonable sin. But from what I have read it seems Jesus has always taken pity on those who have been condemned by the religious leaders more than the religious leaders themselves, he seems to have a lot of contempt for them. I can not talk for God but I feel He would feel pity for you also if you did do something wrong. He cares about your heart not your sins.

This is a really beautiful post, thank you. Insightful. I don't think I was harmed by the doctrine I learned, but it definitely confused me when it came to sex. I think that there are teachings that can really damage how someone views sex, and can cause unnecessary hang ups.

The term ''lust'' for example simply means desire for someone in a sexual way, but that is natural, biological feeling. Of course, there are unhealthy avenues that it can take a person, but if a couple in a relationship desire each other, that's not wrong, in my opinion. I can't see it being wrong in God's eyes, either. There is a saint that is touted in the Catholic Church, can't think of his name, who used to roll around in the snow to damper his sexual desires. What?! lol

I can't help but think teaching that as an example of sexual morality will cause confusion and an unhealthy view of sex.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I would say it has. As you can see I am Christian and it seems a lot of people seem to think Christians feel sex is sinful. I do not feel that way at all.

So as a Christian, is anal sex a sin cause you know, I'm asking for a friend?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Depending on different religions and beliefs surrounding sexuality and sex, one's opinions and experiences regarding sex, can often change.

Some religions make a lot of different sex practices out to be ''sinful,'' while others, don't. Since many of us follow various religions and belief systems, thought I'd start a discussion to see where it all falls.

Very good question Deidre!

I think the spectrum lies in how dogmatic a person is and their interpretation of religious doctrine in association with sexual practice. I've seen some Christian freaks in my day and I've seen some that are sexually conservative. It just depends.

 

[Deidre]

So as a Christian, is anal sex a sin cause you know, I'm asking for a friend?

(insert popcorn eating emoji) lol

Very good question Deidre!

I think the spectrum lies in how dogmatic a person is and their interpretation of religious doctrine in association with sexual practice. I've seen some Christian freaks in my day and I've seen some that are sexually conservative. It just depends.

That's true.

 

[Deidre]

I was raised Catholic, but my family was sort of strange with it. Porno's in the bathroom meant by age five I knew all about women and men and what they do. I never found it strange or odd really or felt any shame for what was essentially just being human. I was never given a discouraging talk by my father or mother either. They just told me, "Birth control + condoms." Left it at that.

Probably, but only in the way that I typically am only interested in sex with the person I have the deepest spiritual connection with. Satanism itself really has no rules and anything goes, but of course with the limitation that the partner is willing.

I'm not sure that I knew you were raised Catholic, interesting. I was, too. Porn in the bathroom, what?

 

[Deidre]

I grew up without religion and sex was a free for all.

Now as a Christian, I view sex as something God created, to be enjoyed but to be enjoyed with the woman you are married to as your body becomes the gift that is given to the one you made vows to.

Okay, now this is curious. So, do you feel that your view changed specifically because you converted?

 

[Estro Felino]

No. Even if I received a very strict Catholic upbringing (which excluded the idea of sex outside of marriage) I really wanted to experience romance and sex at a very young age.
But growing up in a provincial town, with all straight men, there were no chances

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Depending on different religions and beliefs surrounding sexuality and sex, one's opinions and experiences regarding sex, can often change.

Some religions make a lot of different sex practices out to be ''sinful,'' while others, don't. Since many of us follow various religions and belief systems, thought I'd start a discussion to see where it all falls.

Yes and no. My whole life has been about sexuality in one way or another both positive and negative. Learning about sexuality, to include sex, as an adult is quite natural. It helps me appreciate my whole life in a more intimate way via my orientation, behavior, upbringings, and creative expression.

As for religion, The (Buddha) Dharma, from what I read, is speaks of sex being between male and female. Its not religious as in it being sacred in and of itself. That's just the family unit and environment (so far reading) The Buddha lived. Not quite like the US.

He spoke more about lust of the mind which physical pleasures can distract us from training the mind outside of lust. Lust meaning motivation of our attachments.

I learned a good bit from christianity about sex and the sacredness of it. It's fine. What I like about The Dharma is that sex and marriage isn't a "salvational" issue. We aren't reborn just because we have sex.

What The Dharma says is not to practice sexual promisquity as well as adultery. It's one of the five precepts. I guess it really confirmed what I already knew. I'm not one to be with someone when they are married and all people I was with are also my friends.

So, it really gave me another view on how cultures view sexuality but neither religion made me felt negative nor positive about their views just indifferent.

 

[Deidre]

Yes and no. My whole life has been about sexuality in one way or another both positive and negative. Learning about sexuality, to include sex, as an adult is quite natural. It helps me appreciate my whole life in a more intimate way via my orientation, behavior, upbringings, and creative expression.

As for religion, The (Buddha) Dharma, from what I read, is speaks of sex being between male and female. Its not religious as in it being sacred in and of itself. That's just the family unit and environment (so far reading) The Buddha lived. Not quite like the US.

He spoke more about list of the mind which physical pleasures can distract us from training the mind outside of lust. Lust meaning motivation of our attachments.

I learned a good bit from christianity about sex and the sacredness of it. It's fine. What I like about The Dharma is that sex and marriage isn't a "salvational" issue. We aren't reborn just because we have sex.

What The Dharma says is not to practice sexual promisquity as well as adultery. It's one of the five precepts. I guess it really confirmed what I already know. I'm not one to be with someone when they are married and all people I was with are also my friends.

So, it really gave me another view on how cultures view sexuality but neither religion made me felt negative nor positive about their views just indifferent.

A ''salvational'' issue, that's really a good point because that is sometimes how it comes across in different religions. Or if you don't ''do this'' or ''do that,'' or merely feeling a certain way...will lead you away from God. Those types of religious ''concepts'' have never made sense to me. I believe that sex can be sacred, but it can also be raw, and primal. And I think the two paired together, makes us human, in my opinion. Thank you for sharing this, I should really look into The Dharma, there's so much I really don't know, not enough to ask further questions about it, anyway.