There has been an increasing interest in studying the role that religion plays in shaping people's views and attitudes towards sexuality and sexual expression. One aspect that has received particular attention is how religion can impact an individual's willingness to explore their sexuality and seek out bodily pleasures. Research suggests that individuals who are more religious may be less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors or experiment with new forms of sexual expression, such as BDSM, bondage, domination, sadism, masochism (BDSM), or anal sex. This article will examine the relationship between religious certainty and openness to sexual exploration and bodily pleasure from both psychological and sociocultural perspectives.
Psychologically, researchers have found that individuals who identify strongly with their faith tend to have more conservative attitudes about sex, which may make them less likely to engage in nontraditional sexual practices.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that those with high levels of religious belief were less likely to report participating in BDSM activities than those with lower levels of religiosity.
Research has shown that religious individuals may feel greater shame and guilt surrounding sexual behavior, which can also discourage them from engaging in new experiences.
Socioculturally, many religions emphasize traditional gender roles and norms around sexuality, such as monogamy, heterosexuality, and procreation. These values can create social pressure for individuals to conform to these expectations, even if they may not align with their personal preferences.
Some religious communities view sexual pleasure as sinful or immoral, and encourage abstinence until marriage. As a result, individuals who adhere to these teachings may struggle to connect with their bodies and desires outside of a marital context.
There are exceptions to this trend. Some studies have found that individuals with higher levels of religious commitment may be more willing to explore their sexuality within the bounds of their religious beliefs, such as by seeking out erotic books or videos. Similarly, some religious communities promote celibacy as a spiritual practice, which can allow individuals to focus on developing other forms of intimacy and connection.
While religion can play a significant role in shaping an individual's attitudes towards sex and sexual expression, it is not always a straightforward relationship. Different individuals and communities may approach these issues in different ways, and the impact of religion on sexual exploration and pleasure cannot be reduced to a simple binary between openness and restriction.
Understanding how religion shapes our sexual identities requires nuanced and context-specific analysis.
In what ways does religious certainty influence openness to sexual exploration and bodily pleasure?
A study by Scherer and colleagues (2016) found that individuals who were more religiously certain reported lower levels of willingness to explore their sexuality and experience physical pleasures than those with less religious certainty. This was true regardless of whether they identified as male or female, young or old, and lived in different parts of the world.