A fascinating aspect of human interaction is touch. Touching has been used for centuries to express love, affection, comfort, gratitude, solidarity, greeting, friendship, camaraderie, sympathy, and more.
Touch can also be misused to harass and violate others' boundaries. In many cultures, touch is an important part of religious beliefs and rituals that may change how it is perceived and experienced.
Some religions believe that contact between men and women should be limited to avoid distraction from God's work or to preserve chastity before marriage. Others see purity as sacred and view sexual touch as polluting this purity. These ideas have consequences for the emotional meaning of sexual touch within these religions. This article will explore the ways in which religious symbolism surrounding purity alters the emotional meaning of sexual touch.
Touch is defined as "the act of applying pressure to something" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) or "to make physical contact with someone or something" (Oxford Learner's Dictionaries). It involves skin-to-skin contact between people or objects. When two people engage in consensual sexual touch, they are sharing their bodies and connecting emotionally and physically. The emotional meaning of touch depends on what it means to each person involved. It can create feelings of love, pleasure, intimacy, closeness, security, and trust. It can help build relationships and strengthen bonds. But touch can also cause anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, anger, disgust, and pain. A person's culture and religion can influence how they interpret and respond to touching.
Many religions place great importance on maintaining personal and spiritual purity. Purity is generally understood as a state of being free from sin, dirt, contamination, and impurity. Religious teachings often emphasize the need to protect oneself from temptation and keep one's body pure until marriage.
Some Muslims believe that men should avoid looking at women and refrain from all sexual activity outside of marriage. Jewish law prescribes modesty and prohibits premarital sex. Catholicism teaches abstaining from sex before marriage. These beliefs shape attitudes towards sexual touch and its meaning. In religious contexts, sexual touch may be seen as an unclean distraction from Godly pursuits or sacred values.
Religious symbolism surrounding purity alters the emotional meaning of sexual touch. Touch becomes charged with moral value judgments rather than simply physical gratification. Those who view themselves as impure may feel ashamed or guilty after experiencing sexual touch, while those who consider themselves pure may see it as rewarding or empowering. This creates tension between the emotional and physical aspects of sexual touch. On one hand, there is the desire for sensual pleasure; on the other hand, there are guilt-inducing messages about impurity and immorality. Sexual touch in these circumstances may become conflicted, confusing, and fraught with anxiety. It can create feelings of shame and self-doubt or lead to misinterpretations of intentions and motives.
Religious beliefs around purity may restrict access to sexual touch. Some religions discourage public displays of affection or intimacy before marriage. Others forbid all forms of non-procreative sex. This restriction makes sexual touch a highly coveted commodity that must be earned through marriage or other means. When someone experiences sexual touch without feeling entitled to it, they may feel like it has been taken away or stolen from them. They may struggle with envy, resentment, and anger at others' perceived privilege. This adds another layer of emotion to the experience that shapes how people respond to sexual touch.
Religious symbolism surrounding purity changes the emotional meaning of sexual touch by creating tension between the physical and moral aspects of the act. It limits access to sexual touch, which can cause feelings of deprivation, entitlement, and envy. It also charges sexual touch with moral judgments that shape how people interpret their own desires and actions. Understanding these complexities can help individuals navigate relationships and negotiate boundaries while respecting cultural norms and values.