The concept of marriage has been a hotly debated subject for centuries.
It was only until recently that the idea of marriages being a means to achieve God's will gained popularity among certain sects of Christianity. This paper examines how this concept can lead to emotional conflicts in both spouses.
Marriage is seen as a holy union between two people who come together in matrimony before God and their community. In some religions, such as Islam and Hinduism, it is even considered mandatory to be married.
There are also sects within Christianity where marriage is seen as an obligation set forth by God. The idea behind this belief is that couples must enter into a marriage in order to fulfill God's wishes and remain virtuous. Those who do not get married risk going against God's commandments and facing eternal damnation.
This viewpoint creates emotional conflict for several reasons. Firstly, when intimacy becomes framed as a religious duty rather than personal choice, it takes away from its romantic nature. Couples who have been pressured into getting married may find themselves struggling with feelings of resentment or guilt because they did not choose to enter into this relationship out of love but out of fear of punishment.
This type of thinking can make sex feel more like a chore than a pleasurable act, leading to further strain on the couple's relationship.
When intimacy is seen as something that needs to be done for spiritual gain, it removes any sense of enjoyment or fun from the experience. Sexual pleasure should never be treated as something dirty or shameful, but rather celebrated as part of a healthy marriage.
When couples are constantly told that they need to perform certain acts in order to please God, they lose sight of what makes sexual encounters special between them. This can lead to disinterest and dissatisfaction within the marriage bedroom.
When intimacy is forced upon someone due to religious duties rather than their own desires, it can lead to feelings of guilt and self-loathing. If one partner does not want to participate in certain activities or has specific boundaries in place, it can cause immense stress on both parties involved if one party feels obligated to engage against their will. The idea that there is no freedom in making decisions regarding your body and its functions creates an unhealthy dynamic where one person feels trapped and the other believes they are failing at fulfilling their marital duty.
Framing intimacy as a religious duty instead of personal choice puts undue pressure on spouses and takes away from the romance and excitement associated with sex. Marriage should never come down to meeting expectations set forth by others; it should be built on mutual respect and understanding between two people who have chosen each other out of love.
What emotional conflicts arise when intimacy is framed as a religious duty rather than personal choice?
Emotional conflict can arise from various sources due to different perspectives on what constitutes intimacy. When intimacy is framed as a religious duty rather than a personal choice, it creates a sense of obligation that may lead to guilt or resentment if not fulfilled. This can cause emotional distress for those who do not feel comfortable with certain forms of intimacy or those who have difficulty expressing themselves emotionally.