Sex without Procreation

[Waiting for the Verdict]

I've heard it said that sex is for the purpose of procreation. Let's leave aside homosexuality and the whole "sterile couple" issues. If sex is for this so divine purpose, should not all sex be prohibited except sex that can result in procreation. In otherwords, should not people only have sex during a woman's fertile period?

 

[gengwall]

I've heard it said that sex is for the purpose of procreation. Let's leave aside homosexuality and the whole "sterile couple" issues. If sex is for this so divine purpose, should not all sex be prohibited except sex that can result in procreation. In otherwords, should not people only have sex during a woman's fertile period?

Yes - but that is not the only (or even predominant) purpose for sex in the bible. Sex is for relationship building and to resist immorality (1 Cor 7), and for relationship building and pleasure (Song of Solomon if you follow the two lovers interp), and for relationship building...period (Gen 2:24). Having children is a blessing but not a command.

 

[jayem]

If sex is for this so divine purpose, should not all sex be prohibited except sex that can result in procreation. In otherwords, should not people only have sex during a woman's fertile period?

I'm no expert, but as was noted, I don't think that's a true Biblical teaching.

However, I think that was the view of Plato. IIRC, he believed that sex was a corrupting passion that distracted the mind from the higher pursuit of rational thinking. And he actually proposed in his Laws, that Athenians restrict sex only for reproduction. Needless to say, it never caught on, but Greek philosophy became widespread through the Mediterranean world, and certainly was an influence on some of the early church fathers hundreds of years later.

 

[sinneD]

Yes - but that is not the only (or even predominant) purpose for sex in the bible. Sex is for relationship building and to resist immorality (1 Cor 7), and for relationship building and pleasure (Song of Solomon if you follow the two lovers interp), and for relationship building...period (Gen 2:24). Having children is a blessing but not a command.

I agree with this. Procreation is not the only purpose of sex. The bible endorses sex as an enjoyment of our relationship with our spouse. Having or not having kids is a personal decision, but NOT having them in no way invalidates the relationship.

 

[Ave Maria]

Sex is for procreation but also for enjoyment. Sex does not have to be open to procreation in order for it to happen. At least not in my opinion. Sex for pure pleasure is just fine.

 

[Ramona]

Yes - but that is not the only (or even predominant) purpose for sex in the bible. Sex is for relationship building and to resist immorality (1 Cor 7), and for relationship building and pleasure (Song of Solomon if you follow the two lovers interp), and for relationship building...period (Gen 2:24). Having children is a blessing but not a command.

It's official: Gengwall and I are in agreement

 

[Joykins]

There are people who getsno pleasure from sex, maybe for a person like that it would be for procreation only.

 

[MooCar93]

There are people who getsno pleasure from sex, maybe for a person like that it would be for procreation only.

I think those are the people who aren't doing it right

 

[jakal]

convert to satanism. there are many forms and pathways. all have no guilt. the left hand path is the path to take. dont feel guilty for human nature. i know you probly wanted to take another man in a room and [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] the hell out of him...its ok. satanism is right. trust me.

 

[gengwall]

I think those are the people who aren't doing it right

It is more likely that either they have some emotional block to enjoying it (they have been taught it is dirty or are victims of some kind of sexual abuse) or have a medical problem. It's pretty hard to do it wrong. It isn't that complicated.

 

[redmartian89]

quick question: if sex for pure pleasure is fine, why is there such a big fuss about contraception and teens experimenting with their sexuality. Why would waiting for marraige be such a big deal if sex for pleasure is ok? The reason I ask is beacuse most people's sex drive and hormones are highest during puberty.

 

[rppearso]

quick question: if sex for pure pleasure is fine, why is there such a big fuss about contraception and teens experimenting with their sexuality. Why would waiting for marraige be such a big deal if sex for pleasure is ok? The reason I ask is beacuse most people's sex drive and hormones are highest during puberty.

And back in the day most people got married when they were 15 or 16 yrs old, now days if your sleeping with a 16 yr old you could go to jail. So I guess if you were responsible enough to get married at 16 and self sufficient (ie not relying on your parents) then sex for pure pleasure with your spouse at 16 would be fine. Our society has become so complex that it is almost impossible to truely be self sufficient at 16 yrs old. When christians say for pure pleasure it means within marriage. I sometimes think back and wish I would have gotten laid in high school and then think how my life would be screwed up if she got pregnant or I got an STD. I think the best scenario would to be able to get married in college so you can have sex all through school without it being random sex with people from parties or whatever (the whole not knowing where your next meal is comming from thing), it has been proven that a healthy sex life improves your brain activity and therefore better grades.

 

[redmartian89]

rppearso, you didn't answer WHY marraige is so important BEFORE people have sex. You mentioned STD and pregnency, you must've forgot that I mentioned contraception (you know, condoms and birth control), that's a part of a healthy sex life. That's why AIDS is so high in Africa: no condoms. They're seen as evil and immoral. You also mentioned "it has been proven that a healthy sex life improves your brain activity and therefore better grades." As long as they're responsible and use protection, they should be fine, right? Again, I ask WHY marraige is so important BEFORE sex.

 

[sinneD]

Again, I ask WHY marraige is so important BEFORE sex.

It isn't the ceremony that is important. It is the commitment before each other and before God.

The biblical perspective of sex is one union, one person, a lifetime commitment to each other. This illustrates the relationship that is suppose to exist between us and God - a lifetime, monogamous relationship. Not having multiple partners (ie: gods) but one One God that we are totally committed to, that we have an intimate relationship with.

That is the reason, from a Christian perspective, to not have sex outside the marriage (commitment)...

 

[Lifesaver]

Sex's primary goal is procreation. But one should never forget also its unitive purpose, that which has to do with pleasure, giving each other pleasure, deepening the couple's knowledge and love of each other, etc.

No couple needs to consciously be wanting children when they have intercourse.
What is wrong to do is to take steps to ensure (or at least make it less likely) that any given sexual intercourse will not produce offspring.

 

[sinneD]

Sex's primary goal is procreation. But one should never forget also its unitive purpose, that which has to do with pleasure, giving each other pleasure, deepening the couple's knowledge and love of each other, etc.

No couple needs to consciously be wanting children when they have intercourse.
What is wrong to do is to take steps to ensure (or at least make it less likely) that any given sexual intercourse will not produce offspring.

A matter of personal opinion... each couple should decide that for themselves.. there is nothing in scripture which says that appropriate parenthood planning is sinful or wrong..

 

[rppearso]

It isn't the ceremony that is important. It is the commitment before each other and before God.

The biblical perspective of sex is one union, one person, a lifetime commitment to each other. This illustrates the relationship that is suppose to exist between us and God - a lifetime, monogamous relationship. Not having multiple partners (ie: gods) but one One God that we are totally committed to, that we have an intimate relationship with.

That is the reason, from a Christian perspective, to not have sex outside the marriage (commitment)...

I would agree with this, the only problem is if the marriage is not official here on earth it can tend to lead to serial monogomy, I wish I had had a healthy sex life in college but I still graduated and got a good job and am married now so maybe I will get better grades when I go for my masters , its definatly helping to study for my PE exam.

There is nothing in the bible that I have found about contraception, the cathlics believe that but it is unfounded in the bible, it might just be part of there church dogma but im not going to get stuck raising a kid I dont want because the church (with no basis in scripture) tells me I cant get fixed or use contraception. And to say someone should be celibate there whole life if they dont want kids is crazy talk because its not realistic.

 

[Rorshack]

Sex after menopause is unbiblical? They must be joking.

 

[JGG]

It is more likely that either they have some emotional block to enjoying it (they have been taught it is dirty or are victims of some kind of sexual abuse) or have a medical problem. It's pretty hard to do it wrong. It isn't that complicated.

Oh, bad mental image of getting it wrong...blood, hospital, screaming...bad scene.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Another issue is, as women, we kiss you and we fall in love a little; we sleep with you and we fall in love a lot.

Modern society is virtually built on sex, and it's such a mine-field. Not having sex before marriage can prevent heartbreak in a way being in a sexual relationship can't. Being heartbroken is the fastest way to take your eyes off God; nothing hurts as bad, does it? Nothing on earth can make someone crumble like being heart broken, and during those times, it's very very easy to take your eyes away from God and turn them inwards. I think God is preventing that by mandating we don't sleep with someone until we're married.

Society has indoctrinated us all into believing if we're not having swingin-from-the-chandeliers-sex every day with multiple partners we're a loser, but that's simply not the case. Sex is something beautiful; sharing your life with someone who fits you perfectly is something beautiful; what's the harm in preserving yourself for your Person? To a Christian, yes, it's another way of glorifying God, but even to secular people, what's the harm in waiting?