Is Christianity sexually repressive?

Question

And do you have any examples to share?

Answer 1

Sometimes it is, sometimes it is not. According to The Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, the author had an insight that the reason why virginity is prized in the Catholic faith, is because they have been waiting for the Christ to show up "any minute now", so there really isn't much incentive to start a family, with the world ready to end any minute. That being the case, the church did not even offer a sacrament of marriage until the middle ages, and the most a priest would offer in the way of a wedding ceremony was a blessing from the steps of the church, before that. I thought it an interesting reason for that point of view. Also somehow sex got mixed in there with Adam and Eve, and the knowledge of good and evil, and in some churches it is taught that women are inherently evil because of Eve. I heard of a study where they were trying to figure out something of that sort, and they determined that Catholics are actually sexier, because they are working harder to maintain a marriage for a lifetime, and divorce is against thier faith, and the people doing the study noted things like that Catholics apparently are the biggest buyers of lingerie, and whatever else to keep things interesting, who knew? If a religion embraces an ideal of sex within marriage only, I don't think it necessarily means that the religion is repressive, and there actually are several good reasons in the real world why to wait until you are ready to settle down, in the way of STD's and unplanned pregnancies outside of a stable established household.

As for the comments about priests being pedophiles, I don't think the percentage is any more than the average high school,or any other Christian clergy, and I don't think they wound up there as a result of being sexually repressed, but some of them had mental or emotional problems before they entered the priesthood, and some may have entered the priesthood as a way to go about it, and some may have accepted thier vow of celibacy thinking it a way to combat the problem. But I think by and large the average Catholic priest is "normal" and maybe the problem is more about screening the priests better, before they take thier vows. In my own experience of having been raised Catholic, and going to several different parishes, I have never known any priest that ever behaved that way. But of course the media blows it up so it looks like they all do that. I would be bothered by that even if I weren't raised Catholic, because I just plain think it is wrong to smear an entire group of people because of the actions of a few. But hey, that's all right, one of these days it will be whatever groups you guys belong to getting smeared over the actions of a few. Mostly I think that the reason Catholic priests get picked on that way, is that people are threatened by the idea that someone would dedicate thier lives in that way, and want to know what could possibly be wrong with someone who has the discipline to live that way, and who wouldn't turn down the priesthood just to get laid. Heehe, for that matter I have known several priests who did ultimately turn down the priesthood just to get laid, and get married, but that just goes to show you that these guys have the same problems as anyone else. I do believe that to effectively minister to the human condition, you need to live it, and I do think that priests should be allowed to marry or not, as they choose to. I also think that the number of priests is dwindling down, because they just plain can't find people with that kind of dedication these days.
No, I am not currently Catholic, I am Pagan, Catholicism just wasn't for me, and not the path my spirit needed to be on, but I know many good Catholic people out there who are just living thier lives, the same as anyone else, and would be just as disapproving of such a thing as much as anyone else. For some thier ways are repressive, and for others it represents discipline. And that could be said about any Christian religion. As for the Catholic policy toward birth control, the fact is that the majority of Catholics today have "planned" families, and if they use birth control, they just don't take communion, or they confess and do pennance if they want to take communion. They just don't see it as a big enough issue to become Lutheran or Methodist , or whatever. As for the church's official position on that, I heard a news story lately that the current Pope, although he feels he can't approve of birth control, has lately been looking at approving condoms, not for birth control, but to halt the spread of std's. He may feel his hands are tied on this issue, but he does seem to be seeking an "out" for people, just don't say it's for birth control, say it's for your health.

Answer 2

I think that a couple of good examples have already been given,catholic priests.A devout catholic, that is married ,would have to be repressed .After all you can,t even use a condom.Unmarried catholics,oof..That's gotta suck.Then there are people like Jimmy Swaggert,who got caught being," not repressed".I think the the problem isn't so much repression as accepting the fact that sex is fun ,and Christians think too much fun is sin.Glad I don't have to play that game!

Answer 3

It is true that both radical feminists and rift wing Christians do have very weird ideas on sex and sexuality. In the USA to talk about feminists being wrong sometimes is like a white man joking around with his black friend and saying the n word. It makes us cringe, because we are so hellbent on being fair for everyone, and keeping everyones rightswhen quite frankly that will never be possible. Now I'm not saying that we shouldnt have equal rights, we should, it's just were in an age where saying your opinion can land you a lawsuit.

Answer 4

For many of us, yes. I know that a Leveyan Satanist would have tendencies to look at that as a negative only. That's your perogative.

You see, I think that Leveyan Satanists are pretty funny too. Oh! Did I do that? I gave an opinion without being asked first! Oops. I guess I sinned.

Answer 5

Actually, no. The Bible encourages the physical relationship when in WEDLOCK. Here is a scripture that backs that up a bit... 1 Cor 7:4-5.

By having a strong intimate relationship it helps to eliminate a foothold of the temptation for lusting after others.

Answer 6

Well, when Christians say, that Gods only 'son', was the only one who was 'worthy' to die for our sins, they literally mean: he's worthy cause hes not the child of sex.

And to make sex look more worse, they actually say: that Jesus was 'tempted' like normal people, but he didnt give in.

but that goes against the teaching that marriage makes sex legal in Gods eyes. That just says, sex, is altogether wrong.

And get this, the man who is supposed to be the ultimate example of life for Christians, i.e Jesus, was born and died a virgin.

Which is why clergy men stay non married.

Any Christian with some sense is welcome to correct me.

Answer 7

LOL @ sexually emitted deceases! LMAO..
Back to the question, yes it is. And since I am a virgin, I have no examples to share. :)

Answer 8

No not really repressive but, its difficult at first to control your lustful mind since lust is a sin.

Answer 9

Lavey:
This is a leading question that is asked to justify yourself. You are not leading a virtuous life and would like to have other folks support you in your sinful ways.

It is much harder to be chaste and lead a pure life than do what you please.

And oh yea Kosmicgirl ! I am the same as you and not going to be used and disposed. Waiting for marriage! My husband will be the only man who gets me.
Jin Ju

Answer 10

Hahahahaha! Priests and celibacy, sex only for reproduction in marriage, only the missionary position... the list is so long....

Nevermind that the rates of incest and child sexual abuse are really high among the faithful.... espcially those called to celibacy....