Sacred Sexual Taboos are cultural practices that prevent individuals from acting out against societal norms and expectations around sex and sexuality. These rules govern everything from marriage, premarital relations, infidelity, extramarital affairs, incestuous relationships, sexual harassment, homosexuality, and more. They can be found in all cultures and religions across the world.
The most common sacred sexual taboo is monogamy; this means having one partner for life. In some countries such as India, this practice is so ingrained into society that it has been referred to as "the Hindu model." Other taboos include virginity before marriage, no homosexual activity, and chastity until marriage. The list goes on.
Social cohesion refers to how well people get along within their community or group. Sacred sexual taboos help maintain social cohesion because they keep members of religious groups together by ensuring that everyone follows similar norms regarding intimacy. When an individual breaks these taboos, it may lead to shunning or excommunication from the community, creating tension between them and other members. This could also cause strain in families and disrupt long-term friendships.
Spiritual identity is connected with a person's sense of self. For those who follow a certain religion or spiritual path, breaking sacred sexual taboos could threaten their relationship with God or higher power. This might make them feel guilty and ashamed, leading to feelings of alienation from their faith. It could also damage their relationship with family and friends who share the same belief system.
Compliance refers to following societal rules without questioning them. Sacred sexual taboos require compliance because they are based on tradition and cultural values rather than logic or science. People who challenge these laws risk being ostracized from their community.
Sometimes challenging them can bring about change.
Sacred sexual taboos serve several purposes: preserving social cohesion, spiritual identity, and compliance within religious groups. They encourage individuals to adhere to traditional norms around sex and relationships, helping maintain strong bonds within communities.
They must be understood as complex phenomena requiring careful consideration before breaking them.
How do sacred sexual taboos function to maintain social cohesion, spiritual identity, and compliance within religious groups?
Taboos are often associated with restrictions imposed by society on certain behaviors considered as improper, unethical, or immoral. These rules are usually implemented by religion, family, government, or other authority figures. In terms of sex, there is no universal definition for what constitutes "taboo," but it generally refers to behavior that violates cultural norms regarding acceptable sexual relationships. It's important to note that taboos may vary across cultures and religions.