Religious teachings intersect with cultural diversity in many ways, including when it comes to sex and sexual norms. While different religions have varying beliefs about what is appropriate behavior during sex, they all agree that it should be confined to marriage. This means that people who identify as LGBTQ+ may face stigma from their community if they express themselves openly.
Some cultures view this behavior as unnatural or immoral, while others accept it without judgment. In Islam, for example, same-sex relations are considered forbidden because God created mankind male and female to procreate. Conversely, Hinduism does not condemn homosexuality but does discourage premarital intercourse. Jewish law also prohibits extramarital sex, but there is no explicit rule against gay relationships. Buddhism encourages abstinence before marriage but has no rules on gender identity. Christianity accepts same-sex attraction as natural but believes it must be repressed. Despite these differences, most religious groups believe that sex outside of marriage is wrong. This can lead to tension between individuals who want to express themselves freely and those who adhere strictly to tradition.
Some cultures use religious teachings to justify polygamy or marriages among close relatives. In Islam, for instance, polygamy is allowed under certain conditions, such as a husband providing equal treatment to multiple wives and obtaining permission from each one before taking another wife. In other cultures, like African tribes, siblings marry each other to preserve family lineage and property inheritance rights. These practices often come into conflict with modern laws that criminalize incest and bigamy.
Different religions have varying views on contraception and abortion. Some believe that birth control methods violate the sanctity of life, while others consider them necessary for avoiding unwanted pregnancies. Similarly, some faiths permit abortion in cases where the mother's health is at risk, while others do not allow it under any circumstances. Abortion rights are highly controversial due to conflicting beliefs about when human life begins and what constitutes acceptable reasons for terminating a pregnancy.
Religion plays a role in sexual education by influencing how much information children receive about their bodies and sexuality. Parents may prefer to shield their children from discussions of intimacy until they reach puberty or limit their knowledge to abstinence-only programs. This approach has been criticized for being ineffective and incomplete since teenagers need accurate information about consent, STD prevention, and healthy relationships to make informed decisions.
Religion affects sex and sexual norms differently across cultures, leading to tensions between individuals who want to express themselves freely and those who adhere strictly to tradition.