Religious groups believe that controlling sexual urges is a critical way to achieve moral growth and develop spiritually. By avoiding unchaste thoughts, acts, and feelings, individuals can purify themselves from sinful behavior and become more devout. These actions are viewed as the ultimate test of self-control and devotion to God or the community's ideals. This belief system affects how people view their relationship with others physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism promote celibacy before marriage and fidelity afterward. They also discourage premarital sex, extramarital affairs, lustful behaviors, and other forms of immoral sexual activities. People who abstain from these things are considered better than those who indulge in them. In some cases, religious communities will even punish members who engage in sexual acts outside of wedlock.
Religions emphasize the importance of procreation and family life. Many consider sex an act reserved for married couples who plan to have children. This mindset has led to arranged marriages, where parents decide whom their kids will marry without considering romantic attraction or love. It is believed that this approach fosters stronger relationships based on duty and commitment rather than desire and passion.
Many religions teach that women should submit to men, while men are expected to be dominant and protective. This power dynamic influences how couples interact during intercourse and can lead to inequality within relationships. Some faiths also prohibit same-sex relationships, viewing them as unnatural and evil.
Religious communities see sexual restraint as a moral achievement because it requires discipline and self-control. They believe that those who resist temptations and remain pure reap spiritual benefits such as inner peace, divine blessings, and eternal salvation.
Critics argue that this viewpoint leads to harmful outcomes like shame, fear, guilt, and repression.