In many religions, there are certain expectations for how people should behave when it comes to sexual activity. These expectations often involve concepts like surrender, restraint, and ethical control. Surrender is seen as necessary for achieving spiritual purity and closeness to God, while restraint is seen as essential for maintaining healthy sexual relationships and avoiding temptation. Ethical control means controlling one's own behavior and desires in order to do what is right according to religious teachings. How these three ideas fit together can vary from religion to religion, but they all have an impact on how people think about sex and sexuality.
In Christianity, surrender involves submitting oneself completely to God and following His commands, including those related to sexuality. This can mean abstaining from premarital sex or extramarital affairs, remaining faithful within marriage, and avoiding pornography or other forms of immorality. It also means giving up personal autonomy and choosing to live under the authority of God rather than personal desires.
Restraint refers to self-control and discipline in sexual behavior. In Islam, this includes avoiding unlawful sexual acts such as adultery and fornication, as well as keeping one's sexual desires in check. In Hinduism, celibacy is a common practice among some followers who believe that complete surrender to God leads to enlightenment. Buddhists may also engage in practices like celibacy or monogamy in order to cultivate mindfulness and detachment from worldly desires.
Ethical control comes into play when deciding which behaviors are morally acceptable.
In Judaism, there are strict rules regarding sexual conduct, such as not having sex with close family members or during menstrual cycles. Some religions also prohibit homosexuality or certain types of non-procreative sexual activity.
Religious sexual morality can be complex and multifaceted, involving concepts like surrender, restraint, and ethical control. These ideas shape how people approach their own sexuality, form relationships, and navigate intimacy. Understanding them requires a deep understanding of both religion and human psychology.
How does religious sexual morality define surrender, restraint, and ethical control?
Religious sexual morality defines surrender as the act of giving up one's own desires for the sake of another person's needs, while restraint refers to self-control and the avoidance of excessive behavior that might lead to sinful or immoral actions. Ethical control involves making decisions based on moral principles and values, which may include abstinence from certain behaviors considered unethical or harmful.