Tantra by faerylore via Photobucket
Sexuality is too often something that is thought of as sinful and something to be ashamed of. Sexual liberation is equated with perversion, moral weakness, or even in some places, a psychological illness. The United States, with its socio-cultural values deeply rooted in sex negative Western European Christianity, has a problem with us enjoying and embracing our sexuality, especially, and almost specifically, for non-procreative means. This sexual repression is the cause of much guilt, self doubt, as well violent sexual crimes, especially against women, since they are the supposedly the cause of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
To those religions and spiritual movements who believe in the sacredness of sexuality you will find that they believe that our sexuality can be a tool of healing and spiritual enlightenment when used properly and with the right intentions. Embracing and enjoying our sexuality can be a spiritual and moving experience that allows love to prosper and healing to begin. Connecting with another human being in such an intimate way can foster great feelings of love, contentment, self-value, and confidence, as well as emotional stability. Those wonderful world altering sexual moments can be a powerful spiritual experience that can reinforce our faith with the creator and another person.
Sacred Sexuality in the Past
All of humanity was not historically always sex negative. If you look to the past at some non-Christian paths you will find that some other religions have found something divine or sacred in humanity's sexuality. There was even a sacred sexual Christian movement as well.
In Biblical and pre-Biblical days in Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia, there were religious sects dedicated to Isis and Bast, Aphrodite, and Ishtar/Inanna and Asarte respectively (and others) that held sexuality sacred and whose temples had women and men that were what we refer to today as sacred prostitutes, even though that is arguably not the correct translation for their title and position. These sacred or temple prostitutes were priests or priestesses that were trained and specialized in sacred sexual religious rites, and the use of sexuality as a tool for healing and spiritual enlightenment. These sacred sexual priests and priestesses held a prestigious place in their societies for their knowledge and abilities. They revered sexuality as a method of healing, enlightenment, bonding and pleasure.
In early Christian times we had the Christian Gnostic movement, which was present in pre-Roman Emperor Constantine's conversion to Catholicism and pre-Saint Augustine Christianity (200's A.D), and had a similar attitude towards sexuality as a sacred and visceral part of our faith. This path was lost when Catholicism was made the official religion of the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine and they moved to stamp out all of the other Christian movements to solidify their position.
Modern Sacred Sexuality Movements
Gnosticism is a current, and very much unknown, sex positive Christian movement that concentrates on the Christian Gnostic Gospels of Thomas, Mary, and Philip which were found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945, These gospels mention the Bridal Chamber and its ability for man to transcend through our sexuality.
If you look outside modern Christianity there is also the Pagan/Wiccan paths which also hold sexuality as sacred and some sects do have sacred prostitutes as well. We also have the Tantric and Taoist movements who also revere sexuality in a very similar way. In todays sexually oppressive society you still have a few options to explore, grow, and heal spiritually via your sexuality.
In the past our sexuality was seen as thing of healing and enlightenment and as time passed and philosophical and religious movements went on, they have become more and more sex negative much to our detriment. Fortunately there are movements which have retained a sex positive mentality and spirituality. Shifting our thinking and socio-cultural norms to revere, embrace, and respect our sexuality instead of loathing it will only help us to solve some of our problems such as our high rates of divorce and violent sexual crimes, as well as to increase our spirituality.
For More Info See:
Sexuality and Christianity
- Historical Roots of Sexual Oppression
- Christian Sexual Morality: A House of Cards Built on Stoic Philosophies?
- Christianity and Sex (The Christian Digest)
Gnostic Bible (Nag Hammadi)
- Nag Hammadi (Wikipedia) or Nag Hammadi Library
- Gnostic Gospels (Wikipedia)
- Sexuality and the Sacred in Gnostic Literature
- Gnostic Christianity: The Sacrament of the Bridal Chamber
- Open Letter Gnostic Scholars
Sacred Sexuality or Prostitution
- Internet Sacred Text Archive: Sacred Sexuality
- Introduction to the New Holy Erotics
- Sacred Prostitution (Wikipedia)
- Sacred Prostitutes (Johanna Stuckey)
- The Whores of Babylon via the Temple of Ishtar
Comments
I would respectfully disagree with you one one point. That is Christianity see's sex as negative. I would refer you to the Song of Solomon, in which the bible has some very very positive things to say about sex. However, I feel that sex "should not be awakened before it is ready."
The interesting thing about that this part is essentially ignored. Original Christianity was very sex positive. It was not until the 300's under St. Augustine and his philosophical and theological contemporaries is it that there was a significant movement towards sex negativity and patriarchy. This, of course, times it self as just prior to Emperor Constantine's conversion when Catholicism became the law of the land. Because the Bible has the Song of Solomon does not mean that people are using this in a sex positive way. Many denominations can ignore this and still cling to their patriarchal views.
I have to disagree with you on several points. For a start historical gnosticism was a heresy at best and never part of traditional Christianity. Its never been accepted since it directly contradicts the best records we have of Christ's teachings namely the gospels and the records of the early church fathers (who as a whole rejected gnosticism). Certainly the Coptic Christian Church (also known as Egyptian orthodox) does not accept gnosticism despite being the oldest known surviving form of Christianity. As for sexuality Steve is right. Sex is not sinful we are commanded by God to be fruitful and multiply after all (Genesis 1:28). The problem with sexuality isn't sex itself its the perversion people turn it into? What do I mean by that? I mean people who sleep with each other without even learning the person's name, people who treat what should be a beautiful affirmation of love and into masturbation that happens to have another person in the room.
There were several sects of Christianity vying for dominance. The Pauline line was the one that won the most adherents and became the dominant form. Once Rome rejected Roman Pantheism and took on Catholicism the other sects were essentially crushed underneath its heel.
In biblical times and much, much later women were little more than property and marriages did not start with love, it was a property exchange or a method of politicking and gaining power. Love and intimacy as a primary motivator for marriage is a fairly new phenomenon within human history. It really started in the last few hundred years where women were vying for independence and recognition that romance and love became a primary motivator for marriage.
If we ignore the religious aspect and approach this from a more evolutionary perspective our sexuality is a form of social bonding, pleasure, and procreation. It is not just about love or what the Christian scriptures may or may not say.
Just a thought or two. =)
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!