Religious teachings and preaching have always been an integral part of human life since time immemorial. They influence people's lives from birth to death through various aspects such as cultural, social, economic, political, and educational spheres.
Religions have set standards for acceptable behaviors, including sexuality, which has resulted in different norms concerning what is considered desirable. Religious propaganda can be defined as the act of disseminating religious ideas that are intended to change beliefs and practices of individuals and groups (Bell & McClellan, 2018).
This paper focuses on how religions have influenced collective beliefs about intimate relational norms.
The Bible, for instance, condemns all forms of homosexual acts as sinful according to Leviticus 18:22. The religious text states that a man should marry a woman, "and they shall become one flesh." This statement implies that God created humans in his image and likeness, male and female. Therefore, God created them for companionship and procreation. As a result, marriage between two males or females is unacceptable because it contradicts what God established. In addition, sex outside marriage is also frowned upon by most religions, even though it might not necessarily involve same-sex relationships. According to the Catholic church, sex is holy and must occur within marriage. Sex outside marriage is referred to as 'fornication.' It means having a romantic relationship without getting married. Hence, it implies that sex is only permissible if it occurs within marriage.
In Islam, the Qur'an prohibits same-sex marriages and considers such partnerships abominable and an immoral act. Muslims believe that sex outside marriage is forbidden as it promotes corruption and immorality. The Qur'an teaches that men and women must remain chaste until marriage, where they can engage in sexual intercourse (Siddiqui, 2016). Therefore, premarital sex is strictly prohibited unless one gets married before committing any sexual act. This practice has led to the development of laws that criminalize adultery, which refers to extramarital affairs.
There are some exceptions in Islam, including divorcees, widows, and the terminally ill who need sex to relieve their stress and physical pain. In this case, they should seek permission from Allah before engaging in sexual relations.
Buddhism encourages celibacy among its followers to attain enlightenment. They believe that desires for sensual pleasures hinder spiritual progress. Therefore, Buddhists strive to suppress these desires through meditation and self-control. When a person becomes enlightened, he/she no longer experiences sexual cravings but develops compassion towards others. Some monks practice celibacy because it helps them focus on prayer instead of other things like relationships or dating. They argue that sex leads to distraction and makes people lose sight of what truly matters in life. As a result, sex is considered a taboo topic within Buddhist communities.
Judaism also views sex as holy and something that occurs between husband and wife only. It defines sex as an essential component of human existence that must occur within marriage. Hence, the Torah condemns all forms of premarital sex and extra-marital activities. Judaism does not support homosexuality or polyamory since it goes against God's plan for mankind (Ginsberg, 2018). The Jews consider non-monogamy immoral because it undermines the institution of marriage and violates God's divine design. Thus, Jewish men and women cannot marry outside their religion unless they convert to another one.
These religious beliefs have influenced society's norms concerning intimate relational norms.
People who engage in same-sex relationships are viewed as sinful by many religions, which has made some countries criminalize such unions. In addition, there are laws that make it illegal for couples to live together without getting married first. These restrictions limit individual freedom and promote discrimination based on religious affiliations. Besides, some countries prohibit interfaith marriages, which means two individuals from different faiths can only wed if they convert to each other's religion. This practice promotes heteronormativity and denies gay rights in the process.
Religious propaganda has shaped collective beliefs about erotic behavior, sexual morality, and intimate relational norms. Religious teachings emphasize the importance of marriage as a sacred union between two people. They also frown upon any form of sexual activity that occurs outside this relationship. As a result, most societies view such acts as sinful, taboo, and a breach of God's law.
This paper argues that such practices should be abolished to allow individuals to express themselves freely without fear of persecution or discrimination.
Bell, M., & McClellan, K. (2018). The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinary Approaches to Sexuality. New York: Oxford University Press.
Ginsberg, M. (2018). Judaism and homosexuality: An oxymoronic relationship? New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
Siddiqui, S. M. (2016). Islamic perspectives on same-sex relations. London: Routledge.
How do religious propaganda and moral instruction shape collective beliefs about erotic behavior, sexual morality, and intimate relational norms?
Religious propaganda and moral instruction have historically played an important role in shaping societal attitudes towards sexuality and relationships. The Bible and other sacred texts contain numerous verses condemning promiscuous sex outside of marriage as sinful. In many cultures, these teachings were reinforced through sermons, hymns, and other forms of religious education that emphasized the dangers of sexual immorality and the importance of chastity.