Believers have been struggling for centuries with how to deal with their desires and the teachings of their religion regarding them. Some religions, like Islam, forbid all forms of sexual activity outside marriage. Others allow it but discourage certain types of behavior. Regardless of what a specific religion says about sex, believers need to find ways to reconcile their feelings with their belief system. They must make sense of their longings without feeling guilty or sinful.
Here are some psychological strategies that believers may use:
1) Cognitive dissonance reduction: Believers may choose to ignore the religious rules about sex and focus instead on the positives of having a loving relationship. This strategy involves denying or minimizing the importance of the rules and focusing on the emotional benefits of a healthy intimate connection.
Someone might think "God would want me to be happy" and "sex is part of a healthy relationship."
2) Reinterpretation: Another method is reinterpreting religious teachings to fit personal needs. Believers may read into scriptures different meanings than those intended by the original authors.
They could interpret certain passages as metaphors or allegories rather than literal truths. Or they might argue that God's laws were appropriate in ancient times but not now.
3) Restriction: One approach is to restrict one's own behavior even if no one else does. A person who feels guilt over masturbating could simply stop doing so. Similarly, an unmarried believer may decide not to have any physical contact until he/she is married. The idea is that the more you limit yourself, the less conflicted you feel.
This strategy can lead to feelings of deprivation and frustration.
4) Rationalization: Some believers try to find justifications for breaking the rules. They convince themselves that their desire isn't wrong since it won't hurt anyone. Others justify their behavior by saying God has given them desires and urges to help them reproduce. Still, others say they only do things out of love, which makes them acceptable.
5) Repentance and forgiveness: This strategy involves acknowledging wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness from God (or fellow believers). It requires being honest about what happened and accepting responsibility. But it also implies that the act was sinful and should be avoided in the future. In some cases, repentance can involve confessing publicly to a priest or pastor.
6) Reframing:
Believers may reframe sex as a natural part of life instead of something evil or shameful. They can see it as a gift from God intended to bring couples closer together. They might acknowledge that sexual pleasure is pleasurable but don't let it become an obsession.
All these strategies are psychological coping mechanisms used by believers to deal with the conflict between religious teachings and personal desires.
What psychological strategies do believers use to reconcile erotic desire with religious morality?
Believers can employ different psychological strategies to cope with erotic desires that may contradict their moral beliefs and faith. These strategies involve a complex interplay between cognitive, behavioral, and affective processes, as well as social influences. One strategy is to reinterpret the sexual act from a spiritual perspective by emphasizing its potential for self-transcendence and devotion rather than pleasure seeking.