Abstinence in religions Sexual abstinence

1 abstinence in religions

1.1 christianity
1.2 judaism
1.3 islam
1.4 hinduism

abstinence in religions

some religions regard chastity virtue expected of faithful adherents. includes abstinence sex unmarried, , fidelity marriage partner.

in religions, groups of people expected remain unmarried , abstain sex completely. these groups include monks, nuns, , priests in various sects of hinduism, buddhism , christianity. chastity required of respective sacerdotal orders. shakers, on other hand, impose chastity in form of celibacy members, forgoing procreation such case castration cult.

christianity

most christians teach sexual intercourse meant take place within context of marriage, , sexual abstinence norm outside of that. married couples, paul of tarsus wrote should not deprive each other, except short time devotion prayer.

catholicism defines chastity virtue moderates sexual appetite. unmarried catholics express chastity through sexual abstinence. sexual intercourse within marriage considered chaste when retains twofold significance of union , procreation. see evangelical counsels. methodist church teaches although persons sexual beings whether or not married, sexual relations affirmed in marriage bond. orthodox church teaches chastity until marriage. then, in accordance teaching of apostle paul, periods of abstinence encouraged among married couples. traditionally, orthodox spouses abstain physical relations on wednesdays, fridays, saturdays eves of great feasts , throughout 4 lenten periods (great lent. nativity fast, apostles fast , dormition fast).

however, churches, such united church of christ, reformed denomination, liberal in approaches, believing individuals must decide how express sexual nature.

judaism

judaism forbids intercourse outside marriage (which termed znut or promiscuity), has no ideal of chastity. within marriage abstinence required during , following woman s menstruation. husband not allowed deprive sex wife, if not fertile (known mitzvat onah).

islam

islam forbids intercourse outside of marriage; judaism term zina/zena. however, maintaining celibacy act of piety not recognized, while marriage able encouraged. abstinence practiced during time of woman s menstruation. abstinence sexual intercourse practiced dawn dusk during days fasting observed. in time of hajj people not allowed have sexual relationships, because body has stay pure while performing pilgrimage.

hinduism

the hindu tradition of brahmacharya places great emphasis on abstinence way of harnessing energy of body , mind towards goal of spiritual realization. in males, semen (vīrya) considered sacred, , preservation (except when used procreation) , conversion higher life-energy (ojas) considered essential development of enhanced intellectual , spiritual capacities.

the blending of sexual , spiritual portrayed in hindu iconography, seen in ubiquitous phallic , vaginal iconography in hindu temples , instance in kharjuraho , konarak medieval temples, thousands of couples having sex in endless positions, , gods, carved in deep bas-relief. however, these depictions of sex not understood license free sexual practices, instead meant celebrate procreation integral part of existence in universe. in actual practice, there strong societal taboo against pre-marital sex both males , females, still exists today in hindu cultures.