How has religious authority shaped definitions of legitimate intimacy?
Intimacy is closeness between two individuals that goes beyond physical or emotional contact. It includes sharing thoughts, feelings, memories, desires, dreams, hopes, fears, secrets, and vulnerabilities. Intimacy may be expressed through physical touching or kissing, but it also exists without them. Religious authority considers intimacy to be an essential part of human existence. From its perspective, intimacy must respect strict rules about privacy, modesty, chastity, and decency. Thus, different religions have created various codes of conduct regarding the proper way to express intimacy.
Historically, monotheistic religions like Judaism and Christianity, which emphasize God's omnipresence, have promoted the sanctification of marriage as the exclusive means for intimate relationships. Marriage, they say, creates a bond between man and woman before God, who is present everywhere. Therefore, sex should happen in marriage only, preferably within procreation. This doctrine has influenced Western culture to this day, where sexuality is associated with commitment and love.
Some cultures around the world view marriage more loosely than others, and many couples cohabitate outside of marriage.
Islam and Hinduism stress purity by prohibiting premarital sex, homosexuality, and same-sex marriage. Yet, Islamic scholars disagree on whether gay people are born that way or choose their orientation. They see non-heteronormative attraction as a sinful temptation. In some parts of India, arranged marriages still prevail, and sex remains taboo until marriage. Some traditionalist sects in South Asia consider female virginity mandatory at wedding.
Buddhism and Taoism do not condemn sensual pleasures but encourage moderation and self-control. According to these faiths, pleasure and pain are part of life's cycle, so we must accept them without judgment. Moreover, meditation and yoga practices promote inner peace through mindfulness and detachment from material things, including our bodies. Thus, it is less about controlling desires but finding harmony within ourselves.
New religions like Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses believe that monogamy strengthens families and upholds Christian values. The former teaches polygamy, which they consider natural. Polygamists must first marry legally under state law before taking additional wives to create a family unit. Other denominations such as Pentecostal Christians disapprove of extramarital relationships, citing biblical verses against adultery.
Religious authority also plays a role in the regulation of intimacy outside of marriage.
Catholicism has strict guidelines for confession, where priests hear sinners' secrets and absolve their sins. These include lustful thoughts, masturbation, pornography use, or homosexual acts. Muslim clerics judge sexual crimes with harsh punishments - stoning for adultery, amputation for theft, death penalty for apostasy. Some evangelical churches still oppose contraception and abortion.
Religious authority shapes definitions of legitimate intimacy by promoting exclusive marriages, prohibiting premarital sex, restricting LGBTQ+ expression, and judging non-heteronormative attraction.
Some faiths encourage self-restraint and meditation to control impulses and find inner peace.