Religion has been associated with various aspects of human life such as politics, social systems, economics, and even personal relationships. It is important to note that religion plays an essential role in people's lives when it comes to their sexual desires, which is why this paper will explore how religious framing of sexual desire influences communal dynamics, relational intimacy, and individual self-concept. Religious teachings have always emphasized moral standards for believers and have guided them on how they should behave while engaging in sexual intercourse, but the influence of religion on these three aspects cannot be understated. This paper shall seek to answer the question: In what ways does religious framing of sexual desire influence communal dynamics, relational intimacy, and individual self-concept?
Communities
One way in which religion frames sexual desire is through teaching individuals how they ought to relate with each other sexually.
Some religions believe that sex outside marriage is a sin and have taught that couples must wait until they are married before engaging in sexual activities.
If two partners engage in premarital sex, society may view them negatively because most religions do not allow extramarital affairs or promiscuity. The community often judges those who engage in premarital sex since they violate societal norms and values, affecting their relationship with others. Religious beliefs also impact the type of marriages couples enter into, including arranged marriages, where parents arrange marriages based on family interests instead of love. These types of marriages may result in problems later on because the couple did not develop an emotional connection before entering into a formal union. Therefore, the religious framing of sexual desires has affected communal dynamics because it has influenced the type of relationships people engage in.
Intimacy
Religion can influence relational intimacy by setting boundaries for how believers express themselves sexually.
Some religions teach that men and women should not show too much affection in public, such as holding hands or kissing in the presence of others. This restriction can hinder the development of romantic relationships because people may fear being shamed or condemned for breaking social rules.
Religion encourages monogamy, meaning that members cannot have multiple partners at once.
This teaching does not apply to same-sex relationships, which means homosexual individuals cannot enjoy the freedom heterosexuals take for granted. This religious doctrine creates disparities in relational intimacy because some people are denied the opportunity to explore different options while others can be with multiple partners.
Self-concept
The concept of self-identity is closely linked to one's sense of belonging in society, so when religion frames sexual desire negatively, it can impact how individuals view themselves. Religion views sex as a way of procreation and creation rather than pleasure, which affects how people perceive themselves. Religious institutions often discourage masturbation since it goes against their beliefs about sex, but some people struggle with this aspect of their lives due to various reasons like stress or loneliness. In addition, religion shapes how people see gender roles; for instance, some religious leaders teach that women should submit to men in all aspects of life, including sexually. Some cultures even practice female genital mutilation, where girls undergo extreme painful procedures that deny them access to their most sensitive parts permanently. These cultural norms and practices have contributed to self-hatred among women who feel less worthy compared to men. Therefore, religious framing of sexual desires has influenced individual self-concept by creating negative perceptions about oneself based on societal expectations.
Religion has played an essential role in shaping human behavior regarding sexuality through its doctrines and teachings. It influences communal dynamics by setting boundaries for relationships between members, impacts intimacy by restricting freedom of expression, and changes people's self-perceptions based on social expectations.
In what ways does religious framing of sexual desire influence communal dynamics, relational intimacy, and individual self-concept?
Religious framing of sexual desire is an important aspect that influences communal dynamics, relational intimacy, and individual self-concept. Communally, it affects the way people view sexuality as a social construct and how they interact with others based on their perception of morality. Religiously framed sexual desire leads individuals to have different views regarding premarital sex, homosexuality, and other forms of non-traditional relationships.