A lot of religions have their own views on whether it is acceptable to seek pleasure from physical pleasures such as sex, or sensual experiences. These views are based on specific belief systems that they believe define human existence.
Christianity believes that all humans were created according to God's image and likeness, which is pure and holy. Therefore, anything contrary to this is considered sinful and must be avoided.
For Christians, sex between married couples is acceptable but outside marriage, it is a sin and must be avoided.
It should always be done for procreation purposes and not pleasure alone.
Catholics who adhere strictly to their doctrine believe that masturbation is wrong since it does not lead to procreation. In Islam, the Quran explicitly prohibits premarital sex, but permits sexual intercourse within marriage without restriction. In Hinduism, sex is seen as a necessary part of life and a way to show love to your partner.
Judaism considers erotic pleasure to be ungodly because the body is an evil thing that needs to be controlled and subdued. Therefore, pleasure can never come before God's will.
Buddhism teaches that desire causes suffering and leads to craving, and it's essential to let go of desire in order to reach enlightenment. This applies to erotic desires too. The purpose of sex is to create new life, so it should only happen within marriage and for the sole purpose of producing children.
Jainism believes that any act of pleasure distracts from spiritual growth and meditation, and therefore should be avoided. They believe that true happiness comes from detachment from material things.
Religion has different views on whether seeking physical pleasures such as sex or intimacy is morally acceptable. Some religions view these pursuits as sinful while others accept them under certain conditions. It is important to understand the religious views when engaging in these activities to avoid falling into sin.
What religious arguments critique the pursuit of erotic or hedonistic pleasure?
One argument that religious groups make against the pursuit of sexual or sensual gratification is that it can lead to addiction and obsession. The concept of "addiction" often revolves around the idea that individuals become overly preoccupied with pleasurable activities and lose control of their ability to moderate their behavior. This can be detrimental to one's physical, mental, and spiritual health, as well as interfere with relationships and other important aspects of life.