Religion has always been an integral part of human society since ancient times. It has shaped the way people think, behave and interact with each other. Religion also plays a significant role in governing the social norms that are prevalent in different societies. One such aspect is the concept of monogamy, whereby a person is expected to marry one partner and remain faithful throughout their life.
This does not always happen in real life situations, especially when it comes to sexual matters. People often indulge in extramarital affairs for various reasons, which can be attributed to several factors such as infidelity, lack of satisfaction in marriage, boredom, curiosity, lust, or simply exploring new things. This is referred to as sexual asymmetry, where there is an imbalance between partners regarding sexually transmitted diseases. The religion and culture influence the tolerance level among people towards sexual asymmetry within the confines of relationships.
This essay seeks to explore how religion influences tolerance for sexual asymmetry over the course of a relationship. The paper will examine different religions and cultures to highlight their approach to dealing with sexual relations outside marriage. Different religious perspectives will be compared to understand how they affect the perception of sexual asymmetry by individuals and couples.
This essay will discuss the possible solutions that could help deal with sexual asymmetry issues without compromising religious beliefs.
Judaism and Islam
Judaism and Islam are two major religions that strongly emphasize on the sanctity of marriage and fidelity. Both religions teach that adultery is prohibited because it breaks the covenant between husband and wife. In Judaism, adultery is considered a sin against God and a transgression of the commandment 'thou shall not commit adultery.' Adulterers were stoned to death according to Jewish law until the first century AD (Sternberg & Greer, 2017).
Under modern times, punishment has been reduced to excommunication from the community. Nevertheless, Jewish women who cheat on their husbands face severe penalties such as public shaming and divorce if found guilty. Islam also condemns infidelity in all its forms, including extramarital sex. Infidels risk losing their life in most Muslim-majority countries or receive harsh punishments like flogging. Although both religions discourage infidelity, there have been cases where men engage in polygamy, which involves marrying more than one wife at a time. This situation raises questions about the tolerance level for sexual asymmetry within these faiths. According to Islamic scholars, polygamy is allowed provided the man can support his wives and fulfill their needs.
Some critics argue that polygamy leads to jealousy, domestic violence, poverty, and gender inequality (Harris, 2009).
Christianity
Christianity is another major religion that emphasizes monogamy but allows for exceptions when people cannot remain celibate or control themselves. The New Testament teaches that marriage should be between one man and one woman for life. In John 4:16-18, Jesus says that a man should leave father and mother to take a wife and cleave unto her. Therefore, any other sexual relations outside marriage are considered immoral, even though Christianity encourages forgiveness and repentance.
Some churches, especially the Roman Catholic Church, forbids contraceptive use during sex, thus limiting women's choices regarding family planning. This has contributed to increased cases of unplanned pregnancies and abortion, leading to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Some Christians also believe that husbands have the right to withhold sex from their wives if they refuse to meet their conjugal duties. This practice may lead to infidelity and sexual asymmetry since men may seek satisfaction elsewhere (Carey & Timmerman, 2005).
Buddhism
Buddhism teaches that sexual desire must be subdued for spiritual advancement in this life and attainment of enlightenment in the next one. Buddhists are expected to follow a code of conduct known as 'The Noble Eightfold Path,' which involves practicing chastity.
Modern Buddhist teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh allow limited indulgence in sex while still observing celibacy. According to these scholars, it is okay to engage in sexual intercourse as long as it does not involve lust or craving. Sexual asymmetry may result in breaking vows, but Buddhists can still make amends by following a meditation ritual called confession (Hart, 2016). Although Buddhism allows for infidelity under certain conditions, there are no clear guidelines on how to deal with sexual asymmetry within relationships.
Religious beliefs influence the tolerance level among individuals towards sexual asymmetry within a relationship. Judaism and Islam prohibit extramarital affairs but allow polygamy, thus creating sexual imbalances between spouses. Christianity discourages contraceptive use, leading to increased cases of unplanned pregnancies and STDs, resulting in infidelity. In contrast, Buddhism emphasizes abstinence, making it difficult to deal with sexual asymmetry issues without compromising religious beliefs. It is essential to note that even though religions have their unique perspectives on marriage and fidelity, they all condemn infidelity since it destroys marriages and societies. Therefore, people need to be open about their sexual needs and desires to avoid falling into temptation and dealing with the consequences alone. Couples should also seek counseling services when necessary before resorting to drastic measures like divorce or adultery.
How does religion influence tolerance for sexual asymmetry over the course of a relationship?
Religion can have a significant impact on how individuals approach relationships and their attitudes towards sexual asymmetry. Religions often provide guidelines regarding appropriate behavior in relationships, including expectations about intimacy, fidelity, and gender roles. These belief systems may promote traditional gender norms that emphasize male dominance and female submission, which can lead to unequal power dynamics within a relationship.