The societal views regarding sexual ethics and erotic freedom have evolved significantly over time, especially within European nations such as Belgium that are known for their diverse cultural backgrounds and high rates of religious tolerance. Despite this, there is still a substantial portion of people who lack a strong belief system to guide their romantic and interpersonal interactions. This phenomenon has given rise to an increasing interest among researchers in exploring the psychological impacts of secular life on individuals' attitudes towards love, passion, and commitment. The question posed in this article is, "How does secular Belgian society shape sexual ethics, erotic freedom, and relational intimacy?"
It is essential to understand what defines 'secular,' which refers to a person who believes that religion should not be involved in public affairs, including education, politics, or other social domains. Secularity also implies that religion may be a private matter but not necessarily be a part of one's everyday routine. In contrast, religiousness can refer to the practice of a particular faith or set of values based on personal spiritual convictions. It is worth noting that there are various degrees of religiosity ranging from non-religious to highly devout individuals. According to surveys conducted by the European Values Study (EVS), Belgium is a highly secular country where nearly half of its population reports having no religious affiliation.
One study titled "Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors of Non-Religious People" reveals that non-religious individuals have different views about sex than those who follow traditional religions.
They tend to believe that premarital sex is acceptable and do not place much value on virginity before marriage. They see sex as a means for pleasure, satisfaction, and fun rather than a sacred act between two partners who vow to remain faithful until death. Also, they view monogamy as an option instead of a necessity, especially when it comes to same-sex relationships. While these attitudes might seem liberating at first glance, research suggests they can lead to psychological issues such as guilt, shame, and low self-esteem among non-religious people. This is because most religions emphasize morality and virtue, which helps individuals feel good about themselves and their actions.
In a non-religious framework, the concept of relational intimacy is challenged, primarily due to the absence of divine intervention. Secular Belgians may find it difficult to commit fully to another person or engage in long-term relationships since they lack spiritual guidance on how to maintain them. Some studies suggest that this contributes to higher divorce rates among secular couples, although other variables like socioeconomic status could also be responsible.
The notion of 'the one' does not exist in a non-religious setting, meaning individuals cannot expect to meet their soulmate in a romantic way, leaving many without hope or direction in love affairs.
Despite Belgium being known for its religious tolerance, there are still significant differences between secular and non-secular populations regarding sexual ethics, erotic freedom, and relational intimacy. These disparities have led to psychological consequences such as lower self-worth and difficulty finding meaningful relationships. Thus, further research into the impacts of secularity on human behavior should be conducted to help individuals navigate this complex issue effectively.
How does secular Belgian society shape sexual ethics, erotic freedom, and relational intimacy, and what psychological consequences arise from non-religious frameworks?
Secularism is defined as an absence of religion and religious influence on daily life in society. The level of secularity can vary across countries. In Belgium, there is a strong division between secularism and religiosity. While 40% of the population identifies themselves as Catholic, only 15% identify themselves with another religion. This creates a wide variety of different cultural backgrounds and belief systems that impact sexual ethics, erotic freedom, and relational intimacy.