Diversity Q & A

Does your religion or culture influence your views on sex?

Penny

Sex and religion is always a hot topic!  There is actually a very good reason for this – sex is a powerful action that has a lot of potential to reflect God and God's love in the world.  My religion always taught me that there were two distinct purposes for sex – firstly, it is a strong and intimate way that a man and a woman can share and express their love for each other and secondly, it is the way to procreate, that is, create children.  I believe that these two purposes are actually the same thing.  This is because both of them are what I would describe as 'life-giving' and 'life-creating'.

Of course the other issue with sex and religion is around whether it should only be between a married couple.  This is something Christianity promotes because of the sacredness of the sexual encounter and the stability and commitment required for the up-bringing of a child.  I believe that when Christians are faced with decisions around this issue they would do well to take their lead from Jesus who, when faced with a moral issue, never saw things as black and white but constantly looked at the story of the individual person.