Sex + Religion

Throughout history, sex and religion have often been strange bedfellows. But more and more people are working to bring the worlds of sex and religion closer together. Much closer.

Reaching as far back to the ancient civilizations of Greece and the Orient, sexuality and religion have often combined to create artistic inspiration. In fact, Renaissance artists used religion as an excuse to depict sexuality. The question today is how far can artists go in depicting sex in a religious context. At what point do religious objections venture into censorship?

Why in most of the world's major religions is virginity so highly prized? In this episode we will explore the notion of purity. We will journey to South Carolina where daughters, at a formal father-daughter dance, pledge to remain virgins until marriage and travel to France, where "re-virginization," a surgical procedure to reconstruct the hymen, has become very popular with Muslim women.

Mixing the worlds of sex and religion is tricky at the best of times; presenting it for the world to see is another thing entirely. This episode explores the consequences of bearing your creative soul, in public.

What do religions say about contraception? Is it a religious issue or also an issue of human rights? In the 21st century, contraception is no longer just about family planning. It's also about saving lives. Are religious views outdated or are moral values absolute and unchanging?

Some experts cite 40 polygamous relations in The Bible. Based on this, early Mormons practiced polygamy. A century ago, however, mainstream Mormonism rejected polygamy. But despite it being illegal in North America, sects of Fundamentalist Mormons still practice polygamy. Mohammed had four wives in the Qu'ran so Islam accepts polygamous marriages.

It's a dramatic understatement to say that religion has a problem with pornography but it's an issue largely hidden from sight. In the West the issue of how to deal with the effects of pornography is paramount, but in the world of Islam, the question of what is and what is not pornographic still takes center stage.

The beginning of a couple's life together as husband and wife marks an important turning point in each of their lives. For those who due to religious observance are virgins the anticipation of the sexual consummation on their wedding night can run the gamut from thrilling to terrifying. This episode will explore what - if anything - exists in the way of instruction for the pious.

In the Old Testament, Tamar, twice widowed and childless, disguises herself as a prostitute to get what's rightfully hers - and the Bible totally approves of her and yet the Whore of Babylon is associated with the Anti-Christ. These days most churches disapprove and exclude sex worker. What is the relationship between the prostitution and religion?

For some couples in today's faith communities, there is much confusion regarding the role sexuality plays in a marriage. More and more, religious leaders are having to point the way and are pushing their congregants to expand their sexual expression and the potential to deepen the sacred bonds of marriage.

Most religions preach abstinence before marriage. You connect with the divine and then, when you're married, you have sex. Tantra, at least the way it's taught in North America, sees sex as the way to connect with the divine. But is this just a way to have more sex in your life or does it help the practitioner glimpse the divine.

Sexual union has been a fundamental organizing principles of human society since history began. But since the nature of relationships is changing in modern times, with people coupling for love and companionship rather than social need, should the traditionally man-and-woman only club admit new members? Does sexual orientation negate a person's ability to have a meaningful relationship with God?

Sexual fantasy is mental imagery that an individual considers erotic. This fantasy can be a long, drawn-out story or a quick mental flash of sexual imagery. Many Western social scientists today see a lack of fantasy, or guilt surrounding fantasy, as a contributing factor to sexual dysfunction. What do religions says about sexual fantasy?