Religion is an important part of many people's lives, providing them with a sense of community, purpose, and meaning.
It also has its dark side, especially when it comes to gender roles, sexual norms, and power dynamics. Religious language can be used to justify and perpetuate oppressive systems that objectify women and girls, including those who identify as queer or transgender. In this article, I will explore how religious language can eroticize obedience, submission, and devotion to the divine in ways that reinforce patriarchal structures and harm individuals.
Let's define the terms we are using. Obedience refers to the act of following instructions or orders, often from a higher authority. Submission means giving up one's own desires and interests in favor of another's, usually out of respect or fear. Devotion is a strong feeling of loyalty towards something or someone, such as a god or a cause. When these concepts are combined with religious language and practices, they can become highly charged and sexualized.
One way religion can eroticize obedience is through the concept of "submission" to God. In many religions, obeying God's commands is seen as the highest form of devotion and virtue, while disobeying them brings punishment or exclusion. This can create a dynamic where women are expected to submit to male authority figures within their communities, whether that be husbands, fathers, or religious leaders.
Some conservative Christian groups teach that women must always defer to men, even if they disagree with them, because God established the family hierarchy. The Bible verse Ephesians 5:22-24 reads, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
Another way religion can eroticize obedience is by associating it with intimacy and closeness between believers and God. Some religious texts describe this relationship as being so close that it becomes physical, such as when the Psalmist writes, "Your lips drop sweetness like honeycomb" (Psalm 119:103). Similarly, some worship songs use romantic metaphors to express devotion to Jesus, describing him as a lover who will never leave his followers alone or abandoned.
Submission is also often linked to sexuality in religious language. Women are expected to be submissive to their husbands, but men are not always called upon to submit in return. This imbalance reinforces power dynamics that make women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. In some cases, religious language can be used to justify marital rape or other forms of violence against wives and partners. One famous example is the book A Song of Songs, which describes the passionate love between a woman and her husband in highly erotic terms.
Religious language can eroticize devotion through ritualized acts of submission and obedience.
Some Catholic nuns take vows of chastity and celibacy, promising to serve God above all else, including their own desires and relationships. Orthodox Jews wear modest clothing and cover their hair out of respect for God's commands. These practices can become highly charged and sensual, especially if they involve self-denial or extreme sacrifice.
Religious language has powerful effects on our understanding of gender roles, sexuality, and intimacy. By associating obedience, submission, and devotion with the divine, it can reinforce patriarchal structures and harm individuals. We must challenge these ideas and work towards creating more inclusive and equitable communities where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered.