1. Religion in the Bedroom October 31, 2012

2. Early Influences on Christianity What initiated the rejection of human sexuality and sexual pleasure?

3. Christianity in the Bedroom The Roman establishment considered Christianity to be a religious cult The body is evil, the spirit is good

4. Prudes: –Saint Augustine –Saint Clement Christianity in the Bedroom

5. While the Bible takes a healthy view toward the body and sexuality, institutional religion tends to see those things as wicked and evil. Children are not taught how to think of their body. It is a dark, secret side of themselves Christianity in the Bedroom

6. Islam in the Bedroom Sexuality in Islam is largely described as being confined to marital relationships between men and women. While most traditions discourage celibacy, all encourage strict chastity and modesty with regards to any relationships across gender lines Intimacy is largely to be reserved for marriage

7. To varying degrees Islamic law explicitly states that both men and women are entitled to sexual gratification in marriage Sex is viewed in terms of both its procreational value and as a way to strengthen the bonds between a couple. Issues such as masturbation and homosexuality are also strictly forbidden; contraceptive use is permitted, as is abortion, though the latter often with great restriction. Islam in the Bedroom