Why is sex and anything sex-related guarded to sacredly?

[sandwiches]

I've been immersed in a lot of social justice debates lately and I've began wondering what our obsession with genitals is by both religious and nonreligious people. Why do we treat touching of genitals so much more differently than touching of ears or touching of hands, for instance?

Some apes touch genitals when they meet, when they apologize, etc. Why do we, as humans, see genitals as the ultimate forbidden zone? Why do we see sexual arousal as a thing that's, at best, private or, at worst, perverted and shameful? Are these evolutionary leftovers from wanting to ensure our genetic legacy? Are these mostly cultural developments?

Is this fear, shame, and repulsion something we should continue to embrace or something we should move past?

 

[AFM]

Well, first of all you must understand that creation is fallen and does not, at present, live up to what God would have it be.

Secondly, animals are innocent and do not have souls. They are, for that reason, I believe, free from any manner of sin. Thus it does not matter whether they would touch eachothers' genitals, as I don't believe they struggle with lust or any other thing. We, however, are fallen, sinful creatures with innate sinful desires.

Thirdly, thinking about spiritual things in context of Evolution can lead to disaster, since evolution is neither Biblical nor scientific, merely a theory.

I believe that sex was ordained by God for sexual reproduction within married couples and that He did not intend for anything other than that. (For example, Biblical condemnation of Adultery, and even Jesus' condemnation of Lust.)

 

[sandwiches]

Well, first of all you must understand that creation is fallen and does not, at present, live up to what God would have it be.

Secondly, animals are innocent and do not have souls. They are, for that reason, I believe, free from any manner of sin. Thus it does not matter whether they would touch eachothers' genitals, as I don't believe they struggle with lust or any other thing. We, however, are fallen, sinful creatures with innate sinful desires.

Thirdly, thinking about spiritual things in context of Evolution can lead to disaster, since evolution is neither Biblical nor scientific, merely a theory.

I believe that sex was ordained by God for sexual reproduction within married couples and that He did not intend for anything other than that. (For example, Biblical condemnation of Adultery, and even Jesus' condemnation of Lust.)

While sex is definitely what we sometimes use our genitals for, that still doesn't explain why we guard them so closely... why we hide them and avoid contact with them.

 

[AFM]

Because of lust and of shame. When Adam and Eve roamed the garden, they were completely innocent, like animals are. They had no need to cover themselves because they neither lusted nor felt shame. They had no reason to hide themselves from God because nothing separated them from God.

Now, because we are fallen, we cannot go back to the conditions of Eden. Now that the openness between man and God has been violated, there must be something between our nakedness and God. God, after all clothed man as he went out of the garden. We also can't display them openly now largely for the reason that it is immodest and incites others to lust.

 

[Gadarene]

Control.

The same motivation underlies both the fundie and the social justice warrior.

 

[poolerboy0077]

I've been immersed in a lot of social justice debates lately and I've began wondering what our obsession with genitals is by both religious and nonreligious people. Why do we treat touching of genitals so much more differently than touching of ears or touching of hands, for instance?

Some apes touch genitals when they meet, when they apologize, etc. Why do we, as humans, see genitals as the ultimate forbidden zone? Why do we see sexual arousal as a thing that's, at best, private or, at worst, perverted and shameful? Are these evolutionary leftovers from wanting to ensure our genetic legacy? Are these mostly cultural developments?

Is this fear, shame, and repulsion something we should continue to embrace or something we should move past?

Unfortunately I think posing this question in this forum is going to only attract religious folk to respond by asserting it is God's standard, rather than provide a nuanced, empirical comment or conjecture about this phenomenon in human ecology. I would point you to the work of psychologist Jonathan Haidt about how people, especially social conservatives, intertwine what they hold sacred with what they find disgusting and dangerous. Sex indeed is dangerous and we ought to approach it with some trepidation. Same goes with what foods we put into our mouths — which might explain why dietary laws also abound in religion. Sadly what seemed to have evolved as a mechanism to have us avoid false positives has expanded to proportions that are completely irrational, giving rise to things like xenophobia, homophobia and even contempt for sexual normalcy (like looking at a woman with lust regarded as akin to adultery in the Bible). Without using epistemic tools like reason and empiricism, we will be prisoners to our primal instincts and superstitions.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Why do we treat touching of genitals so much more differently than touching of ears or touching of hands, for instance?...Why do we, as humans, see genitals as the ultimate forbidden zone?...

Hygiene.

 

[poolerboy0077]

Hygiene.

That sounds reasonable up to a point, but it doesn't explain why it is (or even ought to be) sacralized.

 

[Paradoxum]

Because religious people said so, and that still affects culture.

I suppose a reason in the past to consider sex only good in marriage was to reduce the creation of children without enough support (ie: two parents). So sex was called sacred to get people to wait till marriage.

 

[Strathos]

I've been immersed in a lot of social justice debates lately and I've began wondering what our obsession with genitals is by both religious and nonreligious people. Why do we treat touching of genitals so much more differently than touching of ears or touching of hands, for instance?

Some apes touch genitals when they meet, when they apologize, etc. Why do we, as humans, see genitals as the ultimate forbidden zone? Why do we see sexual arousal as a thing that's, at best, private or, at worst, perverted and shameful? Are these evolutionary leftovers from wanting to ensure our genetic legacy? Are these mostly cultural developments?

Is this fear, shame, and repulsion something we should continue to embrace or something we should move past?

Most people would let a (friendly, supervised) stranger give their child a hug or a pat on the head.

Not many people would let a stranger (other than a doctor) touch their child's genitals.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Modesty and healthy boundaries have allowed people to be agreeable toward one another in human society. Undermining that makes humans more like animals. It also makes them more susceptible to vice which makes them easier to control.

 

[Hetta]

Hygiene.

The mouth is the dirtiest organ of the body - just fyi.

 

[Sabertooth]

Biblically speaking, human sexuality & marriage has a spiritual dimension to it that isn't found in animal sexuality. In God's economy, violating that boundary is comparable to blasphemy & idolatry. (Ignorance of those dynamics is not a defensible excuse, because God has gone to great lengths to bring us into a right standing with Him.) None of these sins are relevant to those who don't (or won't) recognize God for who He is.

The "free exercise" clause is certainly in effect for all living Americans, but it is not a recommended defense on the day we stand before Him.

 

[Oafman]

Thirdly, thinking about spiritual things in context of Evolution can lead to disaster, since evolution is neither Biblical nor scientific, merely a theory.

 

[Hetta]

I've been immersed in a lot of social justice debates lately and I've began wondering what our obsession with genitals is by both religious and nonreligious people. Why do we treat touching of genitals so much more differently than touching of ears or touching of hands, for instance?

Some apes touch genitals when they meet, when they apologize, etc. Why do we, as humans, see genitals as the ultimate forbidden zone? Why do we see sexual arousal as a thing that's, at best, private or, at worst, perverted and shameful? Are these evolutionary leftovers from wanting to ensure our genetic legacy? Are these mostly cultural developments?

Is this fear, shame, and repulsion something we should continue to embrace or something we should move past?

Probably because it has always been something guarded, and therefore we pass on to our children the message that private parts are meant to be 'private'. Period. I also noticed with my kids that, at a certain age, they started to automatically hide their bodies. I don't know what that is - instinct? A realization of being separate from the parent and/or different? Up until that age (7 or 8), they had been indifferent to my presence during bathing, changing, dressing, but it changed. (And that was fine, btw. I fully respect their desire for privacy.)

It is simply a reality that, in our culture, genitals=sex. That's why all the fuss on other threads about nudism. People are so socialized to equate genitals with sex that they cannot imagine that people who are nudists and actively engage in nudism are not constantly, sexually aroused by nudity. Yeah, they're not.

I don't have fear, shame or repulsion, and when I go to Europe this summer I hope to hit a topless beach or two (yay for Europe!!) but outside of that environment, I remain covered up, because that's the norm.

 

[Oafman]

I don't have fear, shame or repulsion, and when I go to Europe this summer I hope to hit a topless beach or two (yay for Europe!!) but outside of that environment, I remain covered up, because that's the norm.

I'm sure very few people have a problem with nudist beaches.

But where do you stand on the Naked Rambler?

 

[Hetta]

I'm sure very few people have a problem with nudist beaches.

But where do you stand on the Naked Rambler?

Actually, a lot of people do have a problem with nudist beaches. They assume that it's nothing but all day orgies which, not so much.

I'd like to know why you're guy is doing it. England is not very warm, correct? I wouldn't think it very comfortable to be walking across country nude.

Context is important, imo. People naked at a nudist beach is appropriate. Just walking around, I'm not so sure.

 

[Oafman]

Actually, a lot of people do have a problem with nudist beaches. They assume that it's nothing but all day orgies which, not so much.

I'd like to know why you're guy is doing it. England is not very warm, correct? I wouldn't think it very comfortable to be walking across country nude.

Context is important, imo. People naked at a nudist beach is appropriate. Just walking around, I'm not so sure.

He's an activist. He believes people should not be forced to wear clothes, and those who want to should have the right to be nude. So every time he gets out of prison, he does so in the nude, and is often promptly re-arrested. He even appeared nude in front of a judge, and was held in contempt of court.

Personally, I think he has a point. I don't believe his nudity harms anyone. But the question that always gets raised is 'what if he walks past a playground?' I don't consider this to be a strong objection, because I'm pretty sure that kids wouldn't care, certainly those below a certain age who have yet to pick up on society's shock towards nudity (going back to your point about your kids developing embarrassment towards nudity at a certain age).

The other point that gets raised is, 'If public nudity is OK, are public sex acts OK?' I'm less sure about this, I think it's a difficult one, but in any case, there is a big difference between being nude and sexual activity.

But yeah, he seems to somehow cope with the British weather! Guess his principles are pretty strong...

 

[dayhiker]

Well, being a Christian I think we separate our genitals as a means of control. The early Christians did it by preaching against idol worship, but once idols weren't around any more the priest switched to sex to keep control.

But I think for most people its still wise to view genitals as sacred or separated. So many people get hurt, usually emotionally, if they don't watch how they treat their genitals that I think its very wise to keep boundaries around them.

 

[TheyCallMeDavid]

I've been immersed in a lot of social justice debates lately and I've began wondering what our obsession with genitals is by both religious and nonreligious people. Why do we treat touching of genitals so much more differently than touching of ears or touching of hands, for instance?

Some apes touch genitals when they meet, when they apologize, etc. Why do we, as humans, see genitals as the ultimate forbidden zone? Why do we see sexual arousal as a thing that's, at best, private or, at worst, perverted and shameful? Are these evolutionary leftovers from wanting to ensure our genetic legacy? Are these mostly cultural developments?

Is this fear, shame, and repulsion something we should continue to embrace or something we should move past?

Considering the term 'truth' means :' Fidelity to the Original' .... and you are wanting the truth on this matter ... we have to go to the ORIGINAL to get it. The ORIGINAL certainly isn't what Man or Womans wants it to be...but it is THE objective unbiased Source itself. That distinction goes to our Personal Theistic Creator of our Souls as well as the entire Cosmos.

Now... this doesn't sit very well with many People because prideful arrogant Humans often don't want to be OWNED by such an Authority / don't want to have such an Authority meddle with Ones desired lifestyle (typically, immoral) / and...the Person has made illicit pleasure their Idol be believing they are just here on Earth for a short time . So...to such People, their sexual mores are very loose (if any exist at all) , and they have the reprobate mindset of actually believing they are entitled to live , sexually, any way they choose.

So, with that as a foundation....it is God himself that is the ORIGINAL since he designed our non material Entities such as sexuality, reason, love, logic, morality, etc... and IS the absolute Moral Law Provider . It is God our Creator who has deemed our sexuality as something to be careful with, to be honored, to hold sacred, to be viewed with the utmost of responsibility ------- which is completely opposite to the current Culture Philosophy today with sexual hedonism as its favorite pastime (Idol pleasure) .

Finally, we have the freewill choice to either make ourselves 'god' and choose whatever lifestyle we wish to be engage in....or...we can appeal to the ORIGINAL to see if we are in fidelity with that. Wise people choose God and not the 'god' of Self aka : Narcissism .

So, our loving Creator for our own protection, has instituted moral restraints when it comes to our sexual expression so we don't harm ourselves, harm others, and so we don't demean their intrinsic worth and dignity. Therefore, the many sexually illicit acts ARE and SHOULD BE , off limits . Finally, as mature and moral Agents , we are not required to use our various Natures ...but we are required to use them with great responsibility and in the highest of ethics. This completely nullifies the Worlds sexual permissiveness we see today which cares not about people or consequences...but only the gross self centeredness of the Individual which is the catalyst for severe moral consequences affecting an entire Nation , videlicet, 33 STDS among over 60 million American Adults / well over 1 million premature deaths from AIDS and HPV since just 1985 , the brutal murdering of developing unborn Persons at the rate of 4,000 daily from sexual hedonism gone further wrong / and the dire safety concerns for women with 1 in 4 experiencing sexual abuse sometime in their lives as a result of 'Men' looking down on them for sexual exploitation.

Choose THIS day whom you will serve ; Our loving God who deserves our surrender...or... whatever the Culture dictates based on the Idol of illicit and harmful sexual pleasure seeking.

Hope that helped.