Sex and Religion (book)
Encyclopedia
Sex and Religion, subtitled in English Teachings and Taboos in the History of World Faiths, is an extensively translated book on the historical and contemporary relationship between sex and religion written by scholar of religion Dag Øistein Endsjø
. It was originally released in Norway in 2009, under the title Sex og religion. Fra jomfruball til hellig homosex, receiving very positive reviews with praise such as “one can only be—yes, the only word is impressed”, “a great academic achievement”, “transmission of knowledge at its best”, “an enormous database of knowledge, all recounted in a cool, laconic tone”, “easy to read and actually entertaining”, “very interesting and full of knowledge”, and “an entertaining nonfiction book”. The book is also published in Czech, English, German, Italian, Polish, Serbian, and Swedish.
, masturbation
, heterosexuality
, homosexuality
, interracial sex
, sex between gods and humans and between gods, ritual sex
, the religiously perceived consequence of sex, and how various faiths prioritize or downgrade various rules in connection with other rules.
As practically all forms of sex, or lack of it, are at the same time both prohibited and condoned in some religious tradition, it is impossible to identify a natural connection between sex and religion, beyond that each and every religion insists on their view on sex being the eternal answer.
Dag Øistein Endsjø
Dag Øistein Endsjø is a Norwegian professor in religious studies at the University of Bergen, Norway. and a human rights activist...
. It was originally released in Norway in 2009, under the title Sex og religion. Fra jomfruball til hellig homosex, receiving very positive reviews with praise such as “one can only be—yes, the only word is impressed”, “a great academic achievement”, “transmission of knowledge at its best”, “an enormous database of knowledge, all recounted in a cool, laconic tone”, “easy to read and actually entertaining”, “very interesting and full of knowledge”, and “an entertaining nonfiction book”. The book is also published in Czech, English, German, Italian, Polish, Serbian, and Swedish.
Summary
The book is a detailed guide to the ways in which faiths have sought to repress or celebrate as well as codify almost every kind of sexual relationship and act. It examines how various religions define sex, how they look at various forms of celibacyCelibacy
Celibacy is a personal commitment to avoiding sexual relations, in particular a vow from marriage. Typically celibacy involves avoiding all romantic relationships of any kind. An individual may choose celibacy for religious reasons, such as is the case for priests in some religions, for reasons of...
, masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
, heterosexuality
Heterosexuality
Heterosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, physical or romantic attractions to persons of the opposite sex";...
, homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, interracial sex
Miscegenation
Miscegenation is the mixing of different racial groups through marriage, cohabitation, sexual relations, and procreation....
, sex between gods and humans and between gods, ritual sex
Sexual ritual
Sexual rituals fall into two categories: culture-created, and natural behaviour, the human animal having developed sex rituals from evolutionary instincts for reproduction, which are then integrated into society, and elaborated to include aspects such as marriage rites, dances, etc...
, the religiously perceived consequence of sex, and how various faiths prioritize or downgrade various rules in connection with other rules.
As practically all forms of sex, or lack of it, are at the same time both prohibited and condoned in some religious tradition, it is impossible to identify a natural connection between sex and religion, beyond that each and every religion insists on their view on sex being the eternal answer.