A religious belief is an established set of principles that guides human behavior towards divine entities. Religious practices encompass various behaviors such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and tithing that are carried out to maintain the relationship between humans and their God(s) and promote divine favor.
The conceptualization of the human body as sacral has been complicated by the fact that it is also subject to human desires and passions which may be sinful and therefore considered suspect according to some religions. This article explores this contradiction by examining how religion frames the body as sacred yet suspect through examples from different cultures and religious traditions.
The first example is Christianity where the body is seen as sacred because it was created by God who is its true owner. The doctrine of creation ex nihilo holds that nothing exists without the will of God. Therefore, every aspect of life including the physical body was created by him, which makes the body sacred. Christians believe that the soul is immortal while the body is temporal and transient. Therefore, they consider the body as a vessel for spiritual experiences which include intimacy, sexual relations, and procreation. These activities are sanctified by being performed within marriage since monogamy reflects the unity of Christ with his church. Intimacy in particular is perceived as a holy activity that strengthens the bond between husband and wife, creating and sustaining family units. Sexual immorality on the other hand, is condemned as sinful, and those involved should repent before God if they want salvation.
Islamic teachings emphasize the sanctity of the human body since it was created by Allah, the sole creator and sustainer of all things. Muslims believe that the body is sacred because it houses the spirit or the soul which is linked to the divine. Muslims should therefore take care of their bodies by observing hygiene practices and performing rituals such as ablution. Similarly, the Qur'an forbids adultery and encourages marital fidelity which enhances societal harmony. In Islamic jurisprudence, women are considered chaste unless proven otherwise through four witnesses hence making them suspect until proven innocent. This is a way of maintaining social order where sexual promiscuity can easily erode the fabric of society. Women are further subjected to modest dress codes which do not reveal their physical attributes such as hair, ankles, and thighs. Moreover, menstruating females are considered impure and must be kept away from religious activities during this period.
Hinduism views the body as a combination of the physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual aspects that should be kept pure and undefiled. Physical cleanliness includes bathing regularly and avoiding contact with unclean substances and foods. The mental aspect entails positive thinking while the intellectual faculty involves knowledge acquisition. Spiritually, the body is holy when used for selfless service to others, in keeping with the principle of karma.
Hinduism recognizes that the body has desires that may defile its purity if left uncontrolled. Therefore, one should strive to keep the mind focused on meditation, yoga, and other spiritual disciplines to achieve enlightenment. Sexual relations within marriage are sacred because they produce children who will carry on the family lineage. But extramarital intimacy is condemned as sinful. Thus, the human body is viewed as both sacred and suspect depending on how it is utilized.
Judaism conceives the body as the residence of God's divine spirit which makes it sacred. Therefore, the Talmud encourages physical hygiene through regular bathing and observing kosher dietary laws. Sexual intercourse is allowed only within marriage and procreation is highly valued since it ensures the continuity of Jewish heritage. The Law also prohibits premarital sex, adultery, incest, bestiality, homosexuality, necrophilia, and prostitution. These sexual practices are considered immoral because they threaten social order. Similarly, abortion is forbidden since life begins at conception, and any attempt to terminate this process constitutes murder. In short, the body is seen as sacred but its potential for temptations make it suspect.
The above examples demonstrate that religion frames the body as sacred yet suspect by emphasizing its holiness while warning against the dangers of sinful behavior. Although religions differ in their teachings regarding the sanctity and impurity of the human body, all agree that the body has special attributes that must be respected. The sacredness of the body therefore calls for proper care, nurture, and observance of rituals such as ablution, prayer, and fasting. This should be done even when desires come into conflict with religious beliefs and practices.