Sex and Sin?

Question

I wanted to know what made sex become associated with sin in western culture but not in eastern cultures. The west finds it taboo and has seen it as such for many many years. Yet in the eastern world it is regarded as great and wonderful. Phalluses are used to represent luck and happiness. Artwork is fillied with sexual innuendos and sex is encouraged. When did this split occur and why? My professor asked us to think about that in my seminar.

I did not say sex was sinful... I said that it was associated with sin. And I understand that in America it has become okay to talk about now. I'm talking about the origin of this sinful notion.

Answer 1

Greco-Roman asceticism, specifically Stoicism and Neoplatonism. Some might blame Christianity, but until it was Hellenized, Christianity shared in the Jewish affirmation of sex (and bodily existence in general). Check Raymond Lawrence's book "The Poisoning of Eros."

And you're hot, BTW.

Answer 2

-Western culture? You mean Greco-Roman?

Because if you think that Western civilization is the first civilization to link human behavior with sin, you need to find another seminar.

Judeo Christian values starts with Moses and the first five books of the bible written 1500 BC. It limited Jacob (Israel) and his descendants to 613 commandments. Some commandments deal with sexual relationships but not all sexual relationship. For example, premarital sex and abortion are not discussed at all.

Christian values are for non Jews. Christian are not bound by the 613 commandments at all; however, some denominations and/or sects observe some of them.

If you are directing your question to the United States, sexual attitudes comes from the Puritans (see American Civil Religion).

Western Civilization includes many countries. France for example has a different attitude towards sex.

For the non West (non Western Civilization) look at the Islamic world.

The Eastern world regards sex as great and wonderful is nonsense. Examine Hindu an Buddhist cultures to see their values regarding sex. China and Japan have equal restriction.

Answer: Your seminar seems very chauvinistic. Sex and guilt are found everywhere.

Answer 3

Because our country is based on the values of the Bible - the founding Fathers came here to escape Religious persecution and were Christians..
If you look in the Holy Bible and especially the books AFTER the four gospels you will find that sex outside of marriage or adultery are some of the worst sins and mentioned repeatedly. Sex outside of marriage is fornication and one of the gospels does say that this is the only sin that is outside of a man. When you fornicate you also take Jesus Christ into that union with someone.
Sex outside of marriage also goes against the whole picture of the Bible in which Marriage is a symbol. There is very much written about a Bride and a Bridegroom. This picture is a symbol of our relationship with the Lord.
I don't know what your beliefs - whether you are a Christian or not. In general fornication is just not a good idea. Physically you can get diseases, get someone pregnant. among other physical sufferings. Emotionally it is very destructive. When you have such a union with someone - that's takes a piece out of your soul that you give to that person. This can tear down your heart, psychologically.
I hope this helps.

Answer 4

That is a pretty gross generalization for a professor to make. Buddhism very much denies sexual urges. A Buddhist monk recently castrated himself, demonstrating his commitment to this path. Hindu temples do celebrate sexuality. Their silhouette is almost a line graph of sexual climax.

Yet the terrible stereotypes your professor has will never let him realize how licentious much Puritan writing was, because he will never read it. Around 1770, about half of the brides in New England were already pregnant at their wedding. Don't mistake the rise and fall of Victorian mores as the key to understanding the entirety of western culture. And get a new prof.

Answer 5

I am a Christian and I love sex, I practice sex, I have sex very regularly with my husband not another woman not my b/f with my husband. For Christians God made sex for a married man and woman to enjoy one another. To become one explore each others bodies. Sex is not taboo to Christians is an awesome thing if it is done in the means of marriage between a man and woman. I know this really doesn't answer your question much but I thought I would shake things up for your professor and add a little religion. I hope this helps and I hope you get a good grade.

Answer 6

I don't know when the split occurred, but Christianity has a serious problem with sexuality. I makes you think that they are unhappy with the idea that sex even exists. The repulsion against sex starts in the garden of Eden, with the implication that Adam and Eve became sinners.
Then you have the idea of Virgin Mary, which implies that sex is something too repulsive for the mother of God. Then you have the celibacy in the Church. Women are not welcome in priesthood.
In summary, sex is a bad thing for the Church.
St. Augustine made a big deal of it.They don't know how to deal with the concept.
At the same time, it is the strongest human experience. If it wasn't for sex, very few people would actually commit a sin.

Answer 7

Now days everybody are aware of sex, even u ask a kid also he will tell u about u what is sex,but if u ask anybody who passed 50 years what is sin he can't explain about it..In Bible(new testment) it is written a person should have only one wife and should have sex with her only.If he or she goes against this,no matter if he or she from eastern or western he is doing sin,and he or she should be punished according to God's law.

Answer 8

A really practical reason aside from any religious one, is health. Sexually transmitted diseases are rampant and have wiped out entire generations. Sex in itself is not sin - but the expression of sex outside certain constraints (marriage) is sin. Part of this was due to very practical health issues.

Answer 9

Because of the Bible and what God says. It's for our protection physically, morally and emotionally.

God created man and woman and He created sex for marriage and for having children and also closeness and pleasure with your husband or wife.................not just so people can have many sexual partners to sleep around with and spread disease and cause unwed pregnancies with children who don't have a dad or know who their daddy is.

Answer 10

Where the hell in the East are you living? I guess by East you mean India. I don't think sex is a taboo in the west, it's more openly discussed, so openly that it's often promiscuous and immoral.

The notion itself is fallacious.