Does religion lead to sexual oppression?

[Princess Luna On The Moon]

Homosexuality, premarital sex, divorce, contraception, etc. These acts, and others, are preached against in certain faiths. Is it just human nature to have a set against things like this, or is most of it caused by religion?

[Princess Luna On The Moon]

[Replying to post 1 by 99percentatheism]

Well, now that we know what AIDS is and how to prevent it, it's up to the individuals to have sex safely or unsafely. Being gay also does not mean that AIDS is a guarantee or an inevitable outcome. One can get crippling STDs from heterosexual sex, too. These can be prevented by being cautious and using protection.

[connermt]

Homosexuality, premarital sex, divorce, contraception, etc. These acts, and others, are preached against in certain faiths. Is it just human nature to have a set against things like this, or is most of it caused by religion?

It seems to be human nature for people to pigeonhole &/or oppress other people for a myriad of reasons. I think, while not the 'cause', religion plays a major role keeping this alive.
We canrightfully blame religion for many, many things. But ultimately, if there is no god, it's our fault/responsibility as a species IMO.

[Deidre32]

The majority of the divorces in the US, are Christian couples. So, hmmm...

Religion breeds oppression, yes. I think so. Christianity in particular seems rather obsessed with preaching about sexual sin. When in reality, most of what it preaches against is very normal and healthy behaviors. (masturbation, pre marital sex, porn viewing, homosexuality, etc.)

These behaviors are only considered taboo in Christian circles and to me, the teachings within Christianity in regards to human sexuality have caused many couples to have an unhealthy view of sex. Causing a lot of tension and problems in their relationships.

[ten10ths]

Homosexuality, premarital sex, divorce, contraception, etc. These acts, and others, are preached against in certain faiths. Is it just human nature to have a set against things like this, or is most of it caused by religion?

I don't think it's human nature, as many cultures in history didn't mind certain things that Christians do.
So, to me at least, it's the religion that, for some silly reason, states these things are bad. Yet, so many of them partake in them still.
Silly really

[crazylifteraj]

Homosexuality, premarital sex, divorce, contraception, etc. These acts, and others, are preached against in certain faiths. Is it just human nature to have a set against things like this, or is most of it caused by religion?

It most certainly does, ESPECIALLY any of the really strict religions. I come from a REALLY strict christain background and i am forever damaged sexually because of it. I never had ANY of those normal boy/girl those moment i sometimes see in the movies. we're talkin total lack of ever being alone with a girl because it would "totally kill the parents of both kids should they commit fornication by kissing".
For years i was abused physiologically by my parents because there is a passage in the bible that says:
"but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" Mattew 5:28 .

So they made me feel like a worm for even reading erotic novels. That's how far religion can take some people from reality. i prayed for most of my life that i would lose my sexually entirely so i would be a good son and acceptable in gods eyes. Little did i realize i would never be acceptable because god only exists in the minds of the people who believe in him and those people craft god for their own purposes.

So yea, religion is not so good for a persons overall sexuality.

[crazylifteraj]

Homosexuality, premarital sex, divorce, contraception, etc. These acts, and others, are preached against in certain faiths. Is it just human nature to have a set against things like this, or is most of it caused by religion?

It most certainly does, ESPECIALLY any of the really strict religions. I come from a REALLY strict christain background and i am forever damaged sexually because of it. I never had ANY of those normal boy/girl those moment i sometimes see in the movies. we're talkin total lack of ever being alone with a girl because it would "totally kill the parents of both kids should they commit fornication by kissing".
For years i was abused physiologically by my parents because there is a passage in the bible that says:
"but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" Mattew 5:28 .

So they made me feel like a worm for even reading erotic novels. That's how far religion can take some people from reality. i prayed for most of my life that i would lose my sexually entirely so i would be a good son and acceptable in gods eyes. Little did i realize i would never be acceptable because god only exists in the minds of the people who believe in him and those people craft god for their own purposes.

So yea, religion is not so good for a persons overall sexuality.

[Youkilledkenny]

[Replying to post 1 by Princess Luna On The Moon]

Religion these days seems to be, by in large, the practice of faith in something intangible. As such, SURE it CAN lead to oppression of anything, but doesn't always have to lead to oppression. It all depends on the interpenetration of the individuals involved for the most part.
When a belief system says "1+1=spaghetti and you can't prove otherwise because a book of a supernatural thing tells me so" you can pretty much do whatever one's heart desires and think you're fine with it all

[bluethread]

Religion does not necessarily lead to sexual oppression, it depends on the nature of the philosophical underpinnings and the individual sensibilities. First let's address the characterization of austerity as oppression. This is subjective and, regardless of how lenient a society is, the person who's personal preferences are being restricted often sees it as oppressive. With regard to brow beating children over sexual thoughts, I do not see that as proscribed by the Scriptures and I find this to be counter productive. I believe that the best way to understand the Scriptural role of sexual desire is to systematically study ALL of the Scriptures, so that such things can be discussed in their proper context. Since sexual desire is so influential in the developmental years, accusations of psychological damage caused by parents of all moral persuasions is practically a universal norm. The real psychological damage is not in the subject matter, but in the method of teaching. A healthy examples of public displays of affection, combined with age appropriate open discussion, is the best approach in my opinion.

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 1 by Princess Luna On The Moon]
Hello Princess
I think that religion does have a part in some of what you mention, but I also believe that sometimes, the religious take things to an extreme, creating their own standards to mesh with personal convictions.

[Yahu]

Homosexuality, premarital sex, divorce, contraception, etc. These acts, and others, are preached against in certain faiths. Is it just human nature to have a set against things like this, or is most of it caused by religion?

It really depends on the religion. Some of the pagan religions were vary active in promoting any kind of sex.