Sex and Religion

[amosse85]

I guess the Muslims' view on sex, and more particularly sex for women is simple. A woman exists for the pleasure of her husband—that's it, that's pretty much all any good Muslim needs to know.

In the Middle East, a very large percentage (if not the majority) of Muslim men see women as serving only to bear offspring, while other men are for pleasure.

I am of the opinion that sexual education is simply a health issue, and religion should have no influence in the matter. But of course, religious leaders use the restriction of such information as yet another grip on their herd, and will fight to maintain their say under the pretense of moral superiority. The Catholic church goes so far as to suppress information about birth control because, after all, more babies means more followers and more money.

[Thorne]

I am of the opinion that sexual education is simply a health issue, and religion should have no influence in the matter. But of course, religious leaders use the restriction of such information as yet another grip on their herd, and will fight to maintain their say under the pretense of moral superiority. The Catholic church goes so far as to suppress information about birth control because, after all, more babies means more followers and more money.

I tend to agree, it is a health issue. I suppose, if you really wanted to, you could make it an elective course, allowing parents to opt out for their children. It may be a stupid thing for them to do (at least in my opinion) but they could do it.

As for the Church, theoretically more babies means more followers. But how, then do you explain the marked decline in Catholics around the US, at least. And getting new priests (and, I assume, nuns) from this country is a serious problem for them.

It is my belief that better education combined with increased availability of information, through the Internet, cable TV, even cell phones, allows people to learn about other religions, or arguments against religions, and gives them more options. Unfortunately, it seems that many of those who are turning their backs on religion are placing their faith in UFO's, Bigfoots (Bigfeet?) and lake monsters, instead.