Most major world religions have specific teachings about what constitutes morally acceptable sexual behavior. These teachings vary between denominations and even within different interpretations of the same denomination. In general, there are three basic types of religious attitudes towards sexual behavior: those that emphasize purity, those that emphasize procreation, and those that emphasize companionship. Within these broad categories, there can be significant differences depending on the religion and its particular context.
One common theme is the idea that men and women should fulfill certain gendered roles when it comes to initiating and maintaining sexual intimacy.
Such as in Orthodox Judaism, sexual relations are only permissible within marriage and must always be for the purpose of procreation. Men are expected to provide material support for their wives and children while women are expected to keep themselves pure until marriage and then submit to their husbands' desires for sex. Similarly, Islamic law requires married couples to have regular sex but prohibits premarital or extramarital relationships. The Quran states that men may divorce their wives if they refuse to have sex with them without a valid excuse, while women cannot divorce their husbands for this reason.
In other traditions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, celibacy is seen as an ideal state of being. Sexual activity is viewed as a distraction from spiritual pursuits and therefore discouraged except in the case of marriage. Women are often seen as more easily tempted by sexual desires than men and thus must exercise greater control over their behavior.
Christianity has historically emphasized chastity before marriage and fidelity within it. While the Bible does not explicitly address gender roles in sexual relations, many Christian denominations believe that men should take the lead in courtship and marriage, and that women should be submissive to their husband's sexual needs. This view is reflected in popular Christian dating advice books which urge men to make the first move and women to dress modestly to avoid temptation.
Religious teachings about gendered moral responsibilities for initiating and maintaining sexual intimacy reflect broader cultural norms about masculinity and femininity. They also reflect the power dynamics within each religion, with men often holding more power and authority over women. As societies become more egalitarian, some religions are beginning to re-evaluate these attitudes and recognize that both genders have equal responsibility for sexual ethics.
Traditional beliefs continue to influence many people's views on relationships and sex.
How does religion assign gendered moral responsibilities for initiating and maintaining sexual intimacy?
Religion has historically placed the responsibility of initiating sexual intimacy on men as they are seen as more sexually active and dominant than women. This is because religious beliefs hold that sexuality is a powerful force that must be controlled and contained by men. Therefore, women's role is to resist temptation and preserve their chastity until marriage.