Sexual Pleasure vs. Moral Guidelines
Religious teachings tend to view sex negatively, especially outside of marriage, because it can lead to immoral behavior such as adultery, fornication, prostitution, pornography, rape, abortion, and homosexuality. Christianity condemns all these acts under the umbrella term "fornication," which is defined as any kind of unchaste intercourse between people who are not married.
Many religions have different approaches toward sex and how much pleasure they allow their members to enjoy.
Judaism
Jewish law permits marital relations and considers it obligatory. It also encourages sexual pleasure between spouses but recognizes that some individuals may find it difficult to achieve orgasm due to medical conditions or personal issues. Therefore, the Talmud discusses ways for couples to overcome this problem and recommends seeking professional help if necessary. The law does not discourage masturbation but views it as an evil act when done for self-pleasure rather than relieving oneself from excessive urges. In general, Jewish law places a high value on chastity and respects the body's functions, including arousal and discharge.
Islam
Islam strongly promotes abstinence before marriage and believes that sex should be limited to procreation only.
There are exceptions for certain circumstances where pleasure can be enjoyed within religious guidelines. Muslim scholars distinguish between "licit" and "illicit" desires, with illicit being those associated with lust and greed, while licit involves physical needs such as hunger and thirst. Thus, Muslims may engage in erotic behavior during foreplay leading up to intercourse, provided no genital contact occurs until after the relationship has been consummated through marriage vows.
Buddhism
Buddhist teachings view all forms of desire as negative, even in married life, so any form of pleasure is seen as indulgence. Monks and nuns must follow strict rules about their behavior, dress, speech, diet, and sleeping arrangements to avoid temptations related to sexuality. Ordained members are prohibited from touching one another except when offering charitable services or performing duties.
Hinduism
Hinduism recognizes three types of relationships: husband/wife, guru/disciple, and friendship. The first is considered most sacred because it encourages co-existence between two individuals who have chosen each other above all else. Sexual pleasure is permitted within this context but discouraged outside of it. Married couples are expected to fulfill their spouse's desires and not deny them anything they crave unless it violates social norms or moral principles. Masturbation is considered a sin because it disrupts the balance between body and mind.
Jainism
Jainism rejects sex altogether, including masturbation, which is viewed as violence against oneself due to its selfish nature. This principle stems from the belief that human beings should live with purity, discipline, and restraint. Those who do engage in sex are considered impure and may harm themselves physically or mentally, especially if they pursue excessive pleasure at the expense of others.
Some scholars suggest that certain forms of non-penetrative intercourse can be acceptable for procreative purposes under special circumstances where no bodily fluids are exchanged.
How do different religious traditions evaluate sexual pleasure, and how is pleasure reconciled with morality, piety, or sin?
In most major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, sexual pleasure is generally regarded as an aspect of the physical world that should be controlled and subdued for spiritual purposes. It has been traditionally seen as either immoral or unholy when not limited within the bounds of marriage.