The word 'myth' is derived from the Greek word 'mythos,' which means 'tale.' Myths are stories that originate in folklore and serve to explain various aspects of life such as creation, human behavior, nature, history, cosmogony, and religion. They often have supernatural elements and provide moral lessons for people to follow. On the other hand, 'sexuality' refers to an individual's physical, emotional, and psychological attitudes towards themselves and others regarding their own body and sex acts. Sexuality has different facets, including gender identity, sexual orientation, and erotic interests. It can also refer to how one interacts with others socially regarding sexual matters.
In religious contexts, mythological narratives play a crucial role in informing culturally accepted sexual roles and erotic expectations. The Bible, Quran, Torah, Vedas, and other religious texts all feature stories about gods who engage in romantic or sexual relationships. These myths influence cultural acceptance of sexual practices such as adultery, polygamy, polyamory, incest, bestiality, rape, same-sex intercourse, homosexuality, and transgenderism.
In the Old Testament, God created man and woman in his image and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). This passage has been used to justify monogamy and procreation in marriage.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is believed to have married Parvati after dismembering her husband, Sati, who committed suttee or self-immolation upon learning that her father had insulted him. This myth emphasizes the importance of love and loyalty in marriages. Similarly, in the Quran, Muhammad was ordered by Allah to marry Aisha when she was six years old and consummate the marriage when she turned nine. This story justifies child brides in Islamic cultures.
Myths also inform culturally accepted sexual roles based on gender. In most African cultures, men are seen as dominant partners while women are submissive.
In Zulu culture, a man can have up to four wives if he wishes but cannot share a bed with them simultaneously. This tradition originates from the myth of Masekela, who possessed seven wives but only slept with one at a time. Likewise, in Chinese folklore, the Yellow Emperor is credited with inventing sex positions such as 'The Union of Heaven and Earth' or doggy style position. He was reportedly helped by Lady Nüwa, a half-woman, half-serpent deity, who advised him on how to achieve orgasm quickly. These stories reinforce male dominance over female submission during sexual encounters.
Mythological narratives shape cultural expectations regarding erotic experiences. In Greek mythology, Zeus transforms into various animals and seduces mortal maidens, resulting in immortal offspring like Apollo and Hercules. This myth influences today's animal roleplay fetishes.
Some Native American tribes believe that people possess different spirits and engage in shamanic rituals involving sex to induce ecstatic trances.
The Hopi tribe practices peyote ceremonies where men engage in group sexual intercourse to become closer to nature and obtain spiritual power. Similarly, the Aztec believed that their gods enjoyed human sacrifice and demanded virgin sacrifices for their pleasure. This practice influenced later Mexican cultures, where priests were expected to offer virgins to appease the gods for a successful harvest.
Mythological narratives play an essential role in informing culturally accepted sexual roles and erotic expectations in religious contexts. They provide moral lessons for people to follow while also legitimizing certain sexual behaviors.
These tales can be problematic if they promote harmful social norms such as violence against women or children. Therefore, it is crucial to reevaluate the impact of these stories on society's sexual attitudes and behavior.
How do mythological narratives inform culturally accepted sexual roles and erotic expectations in religious contexts?
In various religious traditions, sexuality is understood as sacred, sinful, taboo, natural, divine, or otherwise. Mythology plays an important role in this perception because it provides models for behavior that individuals may imitate when engaging with one another sexually. Religious teachings often draw from these myths to explain why certain behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable, which may influence cultural norms of gender roles and sexuality.