How does Orthodox Christianity influence sexual behavior, marital intimacy, and gender expectations in Armenian society, and how do individuals reconcile erotic desire with religious obligations?
Sexual activity is an important aspect of human life that influences various aspects of one's existence. It involves physical, emotional, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. In most cultures, including Armenia, sexual practices are guided by societal norms and belief systems.
In the United States, there are different views on premarital sex, adultery, homosexuality, and non-monogamy among Christians. The same applies to Armenian culture.
Despite the diversity of perspectives across religions, cultures, and geographies, the Armenian Orthodox Church plays a significant role in shaping people's attitudes towards love, marriage, and family life. This paper explores how Orthodox Christianity impacts sexual behavior, marital intimacy, and gender expectations in Armenia and how individuals reconcile their desires with religious duties.
To understand how Orthodox Christianity shapes sexual behavior, it is essential to explore its teachings on relationships, marriage, and family life. The church believes that a man and woman should be married before engaging in any form of sexual activity (Rahner, 1968). Marriage is considered holy and sacred as it represents God's will for humans. The church prohibits extramarital sex because it violates the sanctity of matrimony and promotes immorality. According to Orthodoxy, marriages between two men or two women are forbidden because they contradict God's plan for procreation.
The teaching also influences marital intimacy, which must take place within the confines of marriage. Intimacy involves physical contact and emotional closeness between spouses. While Orthodoxy allows intimate relations between husband and wife, it discourages excessive passion and lustful acts like masturbation and pornography. The church emphasizes monogamy as the ideal form of sexual relationship since multiple partners violate its principles of faithfulness, loyalty, and fidelity.
Some clerics permit polygamy under special circumstances, such as when one spouse is infertile or has a severe illness.
The church expects couples to have children as proof of their union. It considers having more than three children a blessing from God but does not impose a limit on the number of children. Nevertheless, the church encourages childbearing over birth control methods like contraception or abortion because they interfere with the natural way of conceiving.
Orthodoxy shapes gender expectations by emphasizing male superiority over females.
Men should protect their wives and families while women must obey their husbands. Men should lead their families in faith and morality while women must follow their husbands in everything. Besides, it teaches that female beauty lies in modesty, chastity, and piety rather than appearance. Women must dress conservatively, cover their bodies, and avoid makeup or jewelry. They should be submissive and obedient to their husbands but also respectful and loving towards them.
Individuals may struggle to reconcile their erotic desires with religious duties. Many people desire intimacy outside marriage and may engage in premarital sex. Others indulge in extramarital affairs despite the church's ban. These practices can lead to guilt, shame, fear, and anxiety due to the negative perception of sin. Therefore, many Armenians seek spiritual guidance and counseling to deal with their sexual urges and maintain marital harmony. Some confess their sins to priests who provide moral support and advice on how to overcome temptation.
Orthodox Christianity significantly impacts sexual behavior, marital intimacy, and gender expectations in Armenian society. While it promotes monogamy, fidelity, and procreation, it imposes strict rules on relationships and gender roles.
Some individuals find it challenging to balance their erotic desires and religious obligations, leading to personal struggles.
How does Orthodox Christianity influence sexual behavior, marital intimacy, and gender expectations in Armenian society, and how do individuals reconcile erotic desire with religious obligations?
Orthodox Christianity has been an integral part of the Armenian culture for centuries, shaping its social norms and values including sexual behavior, marital intimacy, and gender expectations. The church's teachings on sex are rooted in the Bible, which describes it as a gift from God that should be used within marriage only.