Religious Morality is an important aspect that shapes the belief system of people all around the world. It defines their values, principles, and moral code through which they live their life. It also includes their perception towards various things including self-acceptance. Self-Acceptance can be defined as "the process of accepting your identity, abilities, and body, while feeling comfortable with who you are." Religions believe that God has created each individual differently and every person must love himself/herself as he/she is. They should accept themselves without judging their looks, physical attributes, or body shape. Moreover, religions state that one should find satisfaction within oneself rather than looking for it outside. These beliefs help individuals to form positive attitudes towards themselves and have strong self-esteem. In this article, I will explore how religious morality helps shape self-acceptance of desire. I will discuss various aspects related to sexuality, intimacy, relationships, and eroticism. The article will provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of religion on these domains.
The most common form of religion in the world today is Christianity, and its teachings focus on the importance of modesty, chastity, and faithfulness. Christians believe that sex is a sacred act that should be limited between husband and wife and it is only for procreation purposes. This viewpoint influences the attitude of believers toward sex and eroticism.
According to Catholics, contraceptives and masturbation are sins because they go against the natural order established by God. Similarly, Mormons do not allow premarital sex and homosexuality. On the other hand, Muslims consider adultery a grave sin, which is punishable by death. Such views affect the way people perceive sex and lead them to develop negative feelings towards it.
Religious Morality also shapes the perception of Intimacy. Religions like Islam and Judaism emphasize the importance of family values, where intimacy is only restricted to marriage. They consider intimate acts with anyone else as haram (forbidden) or sinful. This approach leads to the development of a sense of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem in individuals. Moreover, religions like Buddhism and Hinduism advocate celibacy, which has led to the emergence of asceticism and monasticism as an ideal lifestyle. In contrast, Paganism accepts sexual pleasure and sees it as an expression of love. This perspective allows individuals to accept their desires without feeling guilty. Thus, religious morality impacts the concept of intimacy in different ways, shaping the self-acceptance of desire.
The article will further discuss how religion affects relationships. Christianity teaches that men should respect women and treat them equally, while Islam encourages polygamy, which can be problematic for women's rights. Such beliefs influence the attitude toward relationships and shape the self-perception of individuals.
In countries like Saudi Arabia, there are strict laws governing relationships between men and women, leading to the formation of gender stereotypes. On the other hand, paganism focuses on the importance of free love and does not define any relationship boundaries, allowing people to follow their heart. Thus, various forms of religiosity have different effects on relationships, impacting individual's perception towards themselves.
This article explored how religious morality shapes self-acceptance of desire by focusing on sex, sexuality, eroticism, intimacy, and relationships. It discussed various aspects related to each domain and examined the impact of religion on these domains. The article provided a comprehensive understanding of the topic and showed how religions play a significant role in influencing individuals' attitudes towards themselves and others.