Cultural and Religious Attitudes to Sexuality

1. Cultural and Religious Attitudes to Sexuality Dr Stephen Adams

2. ROMAN CATHOLICISM

3. ROMAN CATHOLIC • Pre-marital sex is fornication- mortal sin • Masturbation is a mortal sin • Encouraged within marriage • Sanctity of life precludes contraception and abortion • Mortal sins can be cancelled by confession

4. ORTHODOX JUDAISM

5. ORTHODOX JEW • Sex is a “divine gift” from God • Sex is a “mitzvah” (good deed/meritorious) • Only allowable in marriage: “for shared strength, pleasure and ease, and for the rearing of children” • One of the 3 basic rights of women “onah” • Husband has legal obligation to fulfill the needs of his wife

6. Hassidic Jews

7. ORTHODOX JEW • Premarital sex, adultery and masturbation are wrong or deviant • Sex not allowed during menstruation and 7 days after “niddah” • “Mitzuah” – the obligation to bear children • OCP is allowed only if 1 male and 1 female child already. Husband should not be told. • Circumcision

9. ISLAM

10. Islam • Sex confined to marriage • Female expected to be virgin at marriage • Marriage consummated by intra-vaginal ejaculation • Wife must “make herself available to her husband” • Genital shaving encouraged • Modesty to hide “awra” (shameful parts)

11. Islam • Qu’ran and Hadith quite explicit about sexuality • Encourages foreplay and female orgasm: • “do not leave her until she is satisfied” • Anal sex absolutely prohibited- higher penalty than murder • Oral sex allowable between married couple • Ritual bath “Ghusi” after sex

13. Islam • Males circumcised • Female genital mutilation pre-dated Islam and is strongly discouraged. Female enjoyment of sex is deemed important • Sexual dissatisfaction is legitimate ground for divorce • Polygamy is discouraged but possible under special circumstances

14. HINDUISM

15. Hindu • Kama Sutra written in 6th century • Many marriages arranged • Girls expected to be virgins at marriage • (Currently 60% male and 40% female in India) • Marriage consummated by intra-vaginal ejaculation

17. Hindu • Adultery is bad karma • Law of Manu- a wife must respect husband even if unfaithful • “Ahimsa”- respect for life, do not bring unwanted children into world. Encourages contraception • Women are better educated about sexuality than men

18. BUDDHISM

19. BUDDHISM • Different rules for Buddhist Monks and for Lay Followers • Monk expected to practice complete “sexual continance” • Lay Followers observe “Third Precept:” • If it is not a good thing, don’t do it • Avoid excessive “kama” (sensual desire) • “Above all, do no harm to others or to oneself”

20. BUDDHISM • Therefore: • Practice safe sex • Practice only consensual sex • Avoid “unlawful sexual acts” • Guidance not commandments

21. Asian attitudes to Sexuality: • Liberal historic attitudes • All religions represented • Surprising lack of sex education • Modesty and naivety • Poor understanding of psychological issues • Stability and security may be more important than romantic/ sexual love • Use of sex as currency

22. CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

23. CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY • Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1954 • Sex is part of the “2nd Dynamic” ie. survival • Sex or masturbation banned during pregnancy as it plants an “engram” in foetus • Homosexuality seen as an illness or perversion

24. Some quotes from L. Ron Hubbard • “Sex is an interchange of condensed admiration particles” • “pain and sex were both invented by psychiatrists long ago” • “lovers are very seldom happy” • Cancelled all rules about sexuality in 1967

25. CHURCH OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS- MORMON

26. MORMON • Sex in marriage only • Homosexuality seen as an illness or perversion but can be cured • Modesty at all times • Polygamy officially banned in 1890 but still practiced in some states

30. Integrated Sexual Health Sentiens Clinic, Ground Floor, 36 Parliament Place West Perth, WA 6005 Tel. 63 111 999 Fax. 63 111 900 ishwa.com.wa