Historical Study of Human Sexuality PDF

2/27/24 Historical Study of Human Sexuality 1 Where do we start when trying to understand our cultural lens of sexuality? 2 1 2/27/24 The Influence of Religion Historically religion provided most information to people about sexuality Each religion has variation in how sex is regarded and regulated T...

2/27/24 Historical Study of Human Sexuality 1 Where do we start when trying to understand our cultural lens of sexuality? 2 1 2/27/24 The Influence of Religion Historically religion provided most information to people about sexuality Each religion has variation in how sex is regarded and regulated The Scientific study of Sexuality didn’t begin until the 19th century 3 Religion and Cultural Views Ethnocentrism: our version of sex is the ‘normal’ version Universals: incest, prohibitions against rape 4 2 2/27/24 “Acceptable” Sexual activities vary from culture to culture French President and German Chancellor American President and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia 5 No Religious Affiliation Number and % of Canadians Affiliated with Major Religions (2017-19) No Religious Affiliation 27% Indigenous Spirituality 0.2% Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist 9% Christian 64% 6 3 2/27/24 Importance of Religion Importance of religious /spiritual beliefs in how to live one’s life Buddhists: 67% Christians: 62 - 93% Muslims: 82% Jews: 70% N. A. Indigenous: 83% 7 Overview Greek Influence Judaism Christianity Islam Native American Traditional Chinese (Confucianism & Daoism) Buddhism Hinduism 8 4 2/27/24 Greeks Gods viewed as sexual Zeus 9 Greeks Prostitution popular Women held low social status The male is by nature superior and the female inferior … the one rules and the other is ruled Aristotle 10 5 2/27/24 Greeks Prostitution popular Women held low social status Pandora’s box 11 Classical Greek Philosophy 1000 B.C.E. - 200 B.C.E. Pederasty: A sexual relationship between an older man and a younger one Did not mean preadolescent and this did not impede their own marriages later Unclear if this was common amongst lower economic classes 12 6 2/27/24 Classical Greek Philosophy Original humans had two limbs and organs 13 Classical Greek Philosophy The Gods split them in half... forever these creatures search for their missing “better” half (some male... some female) 14 7 2/27/24 The Greeks Plato (428-347 BC) and Dualism Pure Derivation from Purity 15 Plato’s allegory of the Chariot Wisdom achieved by avoiding violent passion 16 8 2/27/24 Classical Greek Philosophy (500 - 300 BC) The soul is imprisoned in the human body as punishment... liberation through spiritual enlightenment and expansion Plato 17 Classical Greek Philosophy Dualism (Plato, 428-347 BC) Love focused on the body is contaminating (physical love known as Eros) Focus on the physical detracts from spiritual transcendence Spiritual, non-physical love (Agape) appreciating a person’s mind allows for true happiness 18 9 2/27/24 Classical Greek Philosophy Platonic Love … refers to love that is more intellectual; akin to friendship 19 Greeks Valued family life Admired the muscular, healthy body Viewed men and women as bisexual Homosexuality not viewed negatively unless impeding family life 20 10 2/27/24 Judaism Principle Three Themes 1. Not just a biological urge but a relationship between two people “a man leaves his father and cleaves to his wife and the two become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) 21 Judaism 2. Sexuality is not separated from social consequences multiple laws regulating how society should be ordered and especially sexual practices 22 11 2/27/24 Judaism Preserving boundaries and integrity in the universe (separating the holy from physical) A major boundary is separating the holy from the impure physical world 23 Judaism 3. Sexual behaviour is an aspect of national and religious loyalty Canaanites a fertility-based culture; specifically, Baal. Ritual sex, temple prostitutes were a part of the ritual act of fertility 24 12 2/27/24 Romans Family seen as core of integrity. Paterfamilias Women considered husband’s property Male-male sexual behaviour met with disapproval Elite practiced sexual excess (e.g., orgies, bestiality, and sadism) Modern sexual terms have Roman roots : fellatio, cunnilingus fornication 25 Judaism Sexuality in General (contradictory) Religious duty for men to have sex with wives and looks down upon celibacy Sexual behaviour is a source of ritual impurity (ejaculate... even asleep, menstruation, child birth) Sex itself is not good/evil as long as ritual cleansing/time is observed 26 13 2/27/24 Definitional Distinction Celibacy: a perpetual state of refraining from sexual behaviour. Chastity: refraining from certain prohibited sexual behaviour considered immoral (e.g., masturbation, watching pornography) 27 Judaism Specifics of Sexuality Uncontrolled sexual behaviour is seen as a disregard to social obligation Adultery Incest Homosexuality 28 14 2/27/24 Christianity Principle Morality is based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ However, virtually no teachings from Jesus on the topic of sex exist. His disciples therefore filled the void 29 Christianity: St. Paul Paul ~10 - 67AD 30 15 2/27/24 Biblical Justification And Er, Judah’s first born, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up the seed to thy brother And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; wherefore he slew him also Genesis 38: 7-10 31 Christianity: St. Paul Adultery, fornication, and possibly masturbation would prevent entrance into kingdom of God Celibacy was closer to the Christian ideal than marriage 32 16 2/27/24 Greek Influences on Christians Early Christians were competitive with other philosophies and religions. Two religious groups shaped their beliefs: Gnosticism Manachianism 33 Gnosticism ‘having knowledge’ Developed from Platonic Dualism Humans born with both good/evil components (spiritual/physical) All matter is evil and the spirit-realm is ‘good’ There is no ‘sin’ but rather ignorance 34 17 2/27/24 Greek Influences on Christians Tertullian (145 - 240AD) why we have sex at all? women are more lustful and obsessed with sex compared to men coitus expels the Holy Spirit during intercourse 35 Greek Influences on Christians “…sexual craving and delight, even in marriage, has no place in Christian Life” 36 18 2/27/24 Manachianism Originating in Persia (Iran) Core principles: Good/Evil are equal Goodness comes from the soul Evil from the body Those who could abstain from sex were therefore good 37 Review of Abrahamic Religions Paul Gnostics Augustine Manachians 38 19 2/27/24 Aurelius Augustinus Had trouble with abstinence forced him to join christians Believed in free will and the power to use reason over physical desires (*note influence of Plato) 39 Augustine Unlike Manachianism sex was not within us but a choice that reason could control. Failure to do so = Moral evil Sex was only for marriage and procreation Foreplay unacceptable St. Augustine (354-430AD) 40 20 2/27/24 Christianity Original sin of Adam and Eve Female subordination was intrinsic to God’s creation Original sin transmitted through ejaculation … therefore children are born with this sin It is proper for Man to be on top … figuratively and literally during coitus St. Augustine (354-430AD) 41 Christianity: Roman Rule Constantius and Constans (4th Century) prohibition of same sex Emperor Justinian (6th Century) employed punishable laws for “acts against nature” Emperor Justinian 42 21 2/27/24 Christianity Lust Non-marital Sex Adultery Seduction Rape Incest *Acts Against Nature Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274 43 Christianity: Protestants 16th Century Protestant revolt divided the church High value on marriage and family life Reformation backlash tried to legitimize itself by becoming extremely conservative Martin Luther & Wife 44 22 2/27/24 Islam (circa 570 CE) Principle Total submission to the will of Allah Allah expresses commandments for righteous living Sexuality in General Primarily regarded as source of pleasure; secondly, for reproduction Early Islamic cultures had manuals reflecting positive view of sex Sexuality in Specifics Does not condemn people to original sin (Adam and Eve) 45 Islam (circa 570 CE) Treatment of women Muhammad’s second wife, Aisha, challenged the developing misogynistic views; in particular, separating prayer spaces In early Islam women fought in battles and until the 10th century they were welcome in mosques with men (French, 2002) 46 23 2/27/24 Islam (circa 570 CE) Polygamy Muhammad advocated polygamy (modern view differs) The Qur’an states “Marry such of the home as seems good to you; two, or three, or four … if you fear that you may not be fair [to several wives], then take only one” - (quoted in Bishop, 1996, p. 76) 47 Islam (circa 570 CE) Homosexuality Similar to other Abrahamic religions and cite the prophet, Lot, who is interpreted (by some) to have preached against same-sex relations. Some Islamic scholars interpret the Qur’an such that only same sex acts that are violent or exploitative are wrong (Kugle, 2010) 48 24 2/27/24 Islam (circa 570 CE) Homosexuality Largely tolerated throughout Islamic history it is now contentious. Same sex is punishable, sometimes with death, in many Muslim countries. 49 Native American Principle 500 nations with unique spiritual tradition impossible to make sweeping generalizations Sexuality in General Sexuality and nudity are not evil or shameful 50 25 2/27/24 Native American Sexuality in Specifics Children and adolescents encouraged to be sexually curious ‘Two-Spirits’ highly revered as possessing greater spiritual powers Prior to European influence: Women encouraged to take the initiative Many cultures polygamous Prostitution was not as evident 51 Traditional Chinese Confucianism Order and Morality sacred Morality places respect for ancestors as core value Daoism (Taoism) maintain balance with the forces of the universe 52 26 2/27/24 Traditional Chinese Sexual Behaviour affects Yin and Yang Yin is passive and limitlessly available in women Yang is active and easily depleted in men Sex is complimentary in creating unity 53 Hinduism (circa 2,500 BCE) Principle Four major goals Sensory gratification Material well-being Religious behaviour Rebirth/Salvation Pleasure desirable 54 27 2/27/24 Hinduism (circa 2,500 BCE) Sexuality in General sex a religious obligation Erotic picture books instruct on techniques Specifics of Sexuality Love is important and couples truly in love have more pleasure 55 Kama Sutra A guide to the art of living well the nature of love, finding a life partner, maintaining one's love life, and other aspects pertaining to pleasureoriented faculties of human life 56 28 2/27/24 Buddhism (circa 560 BCE) Principle Buddhahood is pursued through enlightenment and release from worldly concerns Sexuality in General Rejecting sensual worldly pleasures promotes spiritual enlightenment Specifics of Sexuality avoid extreme indulgence of sexual behaviour 57 Buddhism Tantric Buddhism passion can be exhausted by passion E.g., sexual desire can be overcome while engaging in intercourse 58 29 2/27/24 The Psychological Effects of Religion Sexual Partners Catholics < Protestants Catholics = Fundamentalist Protestants No difference between Jews and Christians Non-Religious individuals report more sexual experience and more frequent masturbation than Protestants, Catholics and Jews. 59 The Psychological Effects of Religion Religious adolescents are less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour (Rostosky et al. 2004) Early sexual debut is associated with higher # of sexual partners, increased risk for STDs and unplanned pregnancy (Niccolai et al. 2004) 60 30 2/27/24 The Psychological Effects of Religion 1.Intrinsic Religiosity commitment, how infused is religion into your daily life (Allport, 1950) Associated with (Rowatt & Schmidtt, 2003): less willingness to engage in casual sex fewer desired sexual partners decreased likelihood of engaging in a sexual relationship in the past year 61 The Psychological Effects of Religion 2.Spirituality (Hymen & Handal, 2006) internalized, subjective experience of belief in a superordinate being Positively correlated with: general level of comfort with the body, intimacy and sexual expression Increased sexual activity and higher frequency of varied sexual experiences 62 31 2/27/24 The Psychological Effects of Religion rigid belief in an absolute religious authority 3.Fundamentalism more conservative attitudes toward homosexuality and gender roles Virtually no differences though amongst other religions regarding sexual behaviours 63 The Psychological Effects of Religion 4.Paranormal Beliefs (Bainbridge, 2004) belief in the fantastic and improbable adherents to traditional religions more likely to endorse these views women more likely than men to endorse these beliefs associated with greater motivation to seek out short-term sexual experiences 64 32