Sexual themes have always been present in human societies, yet religion has often sought to repress and control such behavior for various reasons.
Many ancient religions contained erotic elements that were not necessarily meant to be literal but rather symbolic or metaphorical. This article explores how interpreters have attempted to de-sexualize these passages through various techniques.
One common approach is to read the passage within its historical context and cultural milieu, considering what was considered acceptable sexual behavior at the time it was written.
Some scholars argue that Song of Songs, which depicts sexual love between God and Israel, should be interpreted allegorically because such open displays of physical affection would have been frowned upon in ancient Israelite society.
Another strategy is to analyze the literary devices used in the text, such as imagery, metaphors, and symbolism. By analyzing these elements, interpreters can see how they may represent something other than a literal sexual encounter.
John's Gospel describes Jesus washing his disciples' feet using erotic language similar to that found in Sappho's poems about lovemaking. Yet, many scholars believe this is intended to evoke the sacrificial love of Christ rather than a sexual act.
A third method involves reading the passage through gender lens. Some feminist theologians argue that women are often portrayed as submissive sexually in religious texts, so they must interpret them differently from men who wrote them. They might claim that God's command to "love your neighbor as yourself" includes romantic intimacy between same-sex partners.
Some interpreters try to separate the spiritual meaning from the carnal one by claiming that sexuality is merely a facet of human existence that transcends religion. This approach suggests that while biblical passages may mention sexual matters, they do not necessarily endorse them; instead, their purpose is to guide us toward greater holiness or spiritual growth.
There are various ways to desexualize explicitly erotic religious passages. By examining historical context, analyzing literary devices, reading with a gender lens, or separating the spiritual from the carnal, readers can better understand these passages without falling into their trap of literal interpretation.
What interpretive strategies are used to desexualize explicitly erotic religious passages?
Religious texts often contain explicit sexual references that may be seen as problematic in contemporary society. To mitigate this issue, scholars employ various methods of interpretation to desexualize these passages. One strategy is to view them through the lens of symbolism and metaphor, emphasizing their spiritual or allegorical meanings rather than their literal ones.