Sexuality is an important component of life and is a natural part of human growth. Public interest in sexuality seems to be at high level. Media is bombarded with programs containing sexual material. The news coverage reflect our society attention to sexual debates such as celebrities’ relationships and affairs, same sex marriage, artificial reproduction, abortion, priest sex abuse scandals, etc. Views vary on how we, as a society, should define human sexuality either as sacred or secular. However, advocating for either extreme can cause problems and can promote discrimination. A careful ethical examination on how we should categorize human sexuality has to focus on finding a middle ground between sacred sex and secular sex to promote and reflect all people’s position.
Judeo-Christian and Muslim religions with patriarchal influences regard heterosexual sex within marriage as sacred. Sex is viewed as a manifestation of God’s gift to human beings first and foremost for procreation. In the last decades, churches have tried to change some of their old traditions where sexuality was understood a carnal sinful act of our body denigrating the purity of human soul. Sacred sex advocators emphasize the importance of identifying sacred nature of sex. The principle purpose of sexual relations should be the respect of each person involved in the activity. Both partners have to fully consent to engage in the sexual act. Sacred sex is also called consecrated sex which aims to bring both partners closer together in a “spiritual” bond. It is meant to enhance the relationship because it will provide a strong sense care for each other. In enhancing personal intimacy, couples will praise each other bodies as temple of their Creator. This sense of closeness will transcend their relationships and will transfer this positive connection to children, family and ultimately to the society as a whole. However, classifying sexual intimacy as sacred can imply a religious meaning to sex and can alienate views of non-religious individuals. This is particular important to individuals whose relationships are not recognized by traditional religious. Such groups are homosexual, bisexuals, non-married couples, etc. It is important to distinguish sacred sex from the puritanical moralist Judeo-Christian traditional values which preoccupied to in dishonor our innate sexual desires.
Non-sacred or secular sex is usually advocated by people who are against traditional religions’ views on sexuality and gender roles. They feel that religions should not be mandating what society accepts as morally right or wrong. Religions punitive sex agenda is viewed as hypocritical because it goes against of what they proclaim as fundamental values such as equality and love. Sacred sex is associated with judgment and blame. Apart from the connotation of religious tone to sacred sex, some sort of “sanctifying” term should be used to associate sexual relation and intimacy with trust and respect. When you trivialize sex as pure carnal activity, we give intimacy an individualist approach. Individual sexual pleasure stays above mutual trust and respect. There is no regarding for mutual enjoyment. It can be used to oppress and abuse the weaker person in the relationship. It has no moral parameter to protect the victims against sexual abuse. The media has take advantage of this secularization of sex. Millions have been made in ads promoting superficial views of relationships and casual sex. Women with “perfect” skinny body and wealthy good looking mid-age men sell everything. However, this non- sacred sex trend only contribute to people feeling ashamed of own body. We are undervaluing intimacy and giving priority they way we look.
To conclude, our society will only come to enjoy the fullness of our sexuality (whether one believe or not that it was given to us by a Creator) when we are able to create a environment where sex is understood as an opportunity to embrace each other with respect and appreciation and the desire to be mutually connected in physically, emotionally and spiritually way. Prejudice and discrimination in sexually does reflect social justice.
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