Influence of Religion

While religion has influenced the attitudes of society towards sex and love throughout history, the relationship between them has not followed a consistent path.

In Ancient times, sexual love was viewed as being divine. This arose from the perception that the Gods possessed a sensual power. Poems contained in the Bible told of the love affairs of the Gods. The joy of sexual love was central to Judaism and expressing it was regarded as imitation of the Gods’ behaviour.

The union of the Classical and Jewish worlds saw a significant transformation. Distinct from Paganism, the Christian world regarded sex as a deadly sin, as opposed to a life-giving act. The Book of Genesis tarnished views of sex, instigating shame of nakedness.

Paul, the disciple, delivered a powerful message by excluding homosexuals or prostitutes from the Kingdom of God. Through his vision, any unmarried sex was considered sinful. Control of sexual attitudes by the Church was reinforced in the fourth century AD, when priests were given the power to forgive confessed sins.

The aversion to sex by early Christian leaders extended to marriage being viewed as a crime against God. Opposition to marriage diminished in the Middle Ages, as the Church grew more secure. But sex was still viewed with disapproval, even within marriage. It was not until the mid 16th century that marriage was recognised as a church ritual.