Taboos are often seen to be negative things that restrict people's behavior and make them feel ashamed.
They can also have a dark side that many people find exciting and intriguing. Religious traditions commonly include strict codes of conduct which prohibit certain actions, behaviors, beliefs, or thoughts, including those related to sex. This makes them seem forbidden and creates an atmosphere of secrecy and mystery around such practices. In this way, taboo can create erotic fascination within religious systems because it implies hidden desires and feelings that must remain repressed for fear of punishment.
Some religions believe that masturbation is wrong and forbid it altogether. Yet, many men and women still practice self-pleasure despite its illegality. The idea that something like this would make you sinful or shameful adds extra excitement to the act because it becomes naughty and transgressive. It is also a private experience, one that you cannot share with others but enjoy in secret. It may even become an obsession, taking up more and more time and energy until it consumes your life.
Other examples of religious sexual taboos include homosexuality, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, polyamory, and adultery. These acts are considered immoral by most religions and are strictly forbidden. But their very prohibition creates a heightened desire among those who participate in these activities, making them thrilling and exhilarating. They become taboo not only because they are seen as sins against God but also because they go against societal norms and expectations. People feel bad about doing them, yet they cannot help themselves because their urges are too strong. As a result, they engage in risky behavior behind closed doors, hoping no one will find out.
Religious taboos do not just apply to sex; they can encompass all aspects of life, from food to clothing to relationships.
Some cultures forbid wearing clothes made from animal skin, eating pork, or interacting with people outside of one's caste. Breaking such rules makes you feel rebellious and free, which can be erotically stimulating. You break social norms and defy authority figures by disobeying the law. This feeling of being naughty and daring adds excitement to everyday life.
Religious taboos create erotic fascination within religious systems because they make something seem forbidden and exciting. It is like a challenge that tempts us to push boundaries and explore our desires despite the consequences. We may not always act on our urges, but the thought of doing so makes us feel alive and aroused. Taboo gives us permission to indulge in fantasies without shame or guilt.