Religious teachings have been influencing human morality since time immemorial. Ethics is an essential component of religion that has always played a crucial role in shaping human behaviors. Religions provide guidelines to follow so that individuals can live peacefully with each other. They also help people understand how they should behave towards others and how they should treat them.
These religious teachings often conflict with modern ideas such as sexual ethics.
Consent is defined as permission for something requested or agreed upon. It requires voluntary agreement between two parties before engaging in a specific activity. The concept of consent has become very significant in modern societies, especially when it comes to sexual encounters.
The idea of giving one's consent is challenged by many religions because some believe that it goes against their teachings.
Islam forbids premarital sex, and Christianity promotes abstinence until marriage. Thus, they consider it unethical for people to give consent before engaging in sexual activities.
Desire refers to what motivates someone to do something. It is an integral part of the human experience that influences every aspect of life. In modern society, desire is essential in relationships. People want to satisfy themselves through intimacy, which involves touching, kissing, and having sex.
This practice conflicts with most religions, especially those that prohibit sexual intercourse outside marriage. Some religions even go further to stipulate what partners should wear during sexual encounters and restrict certain positions. As such, they view people who indulge in such activities as immoral.
Relational responsibility entails taking care of your partner emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. This principle involves respecting the needs and wants of your partner. When you are in a relationship, you must show concern for each other's feelings, thoughts, and opinions. Religious teachings often influence how individuals behave in relationships.
Christianity expects husbands to love their wives selflessly and submit to them, while women should follow their husband's instructions and obey him. Other religions also promote submission and obedience between spouses. Therefore, they consider it irresponsible for couples to neglect or disrespect each other.
Religious teachings have influenced ethical reasoning regarding consent, desire, and relational responsibility. They believe that these principles contradict their moral guidelines, thus making them unacceptable.
Some argue that religion should not determine how people behave in their daily lives since morality cannot be limited by doctrinal interpretations. Therefore, there has been an ongoing debate on whether religious teachings should guide modern society regarding sex, sexuality, eroticism, and intimacy.