There are many ways that believers may come to depend on their religious leaders for guidance in matters related to sexual ethics. This can be especially true if they have been taught from an early age that their faith requires them to abstain from certain behaviors, such as premarital sex or same-sex relationships.
This subordination of personal responsibility can lead to a form of psychological dependency on the religious leader, where the believer feels they must follow his or her every command out of fear of punishment or displeasure.
Consider a young woman who grew up in a conservative Christian family where sex outside of marriage was considered sinful. She may have attended Sunday school classes that emphasized the importance of waiting until marriage to become physically intimate with someone else. If she were to start dating a man and feel strong physical attraction towards him, she might seek advice from her pastor or other church leaders about how to handle it. In some cases, these advisors might tell her that she needs to resist temptation and wait for the right time to consummate her relationship.
If she follows this advice, she could develop a sense of dependency on the pastor's opinion, viewing him as the ultimate authority on morality. She may feel like she cannot trust herself to make sound decisions about her own behavior and instead look to him for guidance at every turn. This can create a vicious cycle where the believer becomes more and more reliant on the leader over time, even when it comes to issues beyond sexuality.
The consequences of this dependence can be serious. It can prevent the believer from growing into maturity and developing a healthy sense of agency and autonomy. Instead, they may always defer to the leader's judgment rather than making their own choices based on what they believe is best. They may also miss out on opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment by denying themselves certain experiences that are perfectly acceptable within their faith tradition.
This type of psychological dependence can lead to a lack of satisfaction in life and even resentment towards the religious institution as a whole.
To avoid falling into this trap, believers should approach their faith with caution and skepticism. They should not automatically accept any pronouncements from their religious leaders without questioning them first. They should also seek out multiple sources of information and consider alternative perspectives before making major decisions.
They should strive to develop their own moral compass so that they can rely on their own conscience rather than relying on someone else's opinions all the time.
What psychological dependence arises when believers defer sexual ethics to religious figures?
Believers who defer their sexual ethics to religious figures may develop a sense of moral obligation towards following these guidelines, which can lead to psychological dependence on the religion's teachings. This dependence can cause individuals to feel guilty for engaging in non-sanctioned behaviors and can lead to feelings of anxiety or shame.