Sex, sexuality and religion: Finding a middle path

September 16, 2008 by Chief K.Masimba Biriwasha ·
Filed under: Topical issues

Since time immemorial, sex and religion have always had a difficult relationship with each one seeking to free itself from the other.

Religions play a fundamental role in defining the attitudes of society and governments to matters of reproduction and sexuality. The influence of religion in individual decision-making on sex-related issues is beyond doubt, even among self-declared anti-religion activists.

Yet there is so much more that could come out of coexistence between sex and religion. Still, this interconnection is usually sacrificed at the altar of conservative views or self-justified sexuality. It suffices to state that around the world there are many religious organizations that are already engaged in work to improve the lives of women; that work oftentimes touches on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Unfortunately, religious and secular organizations have largely failed to forge links that can advance the cause of sexual and reproductive health and rights, opting instead to regard each other as enemies. Sexuality and reproduction are at the core of religions’ attitudes toward women, and in many parts of the world, improving the status of women needs to work at the nexus of religion and reproductive health and rights.

To achieve this requires the concerned religious and secular groups and individuals to ensure that men and women can have satisfying and constructive sexual lifestyles. In its purest essence, religion — whether Christian, Muslim or Hindu — seeks to promote justice, dignity and compassion. These core values can be harnessed in the effort to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. In fact, the religious sector can play a significant role in challenging patriarchal systems that legitimate violence, abuse and exploitation of men by women.

Oftentimes, the religious turn a blind face when atrocities are committed against sexual minorities and women in the name of religious doctrine. Corollary, secular organizations and individuals will often employ blame tactics and adversarial attitudes toward the religious sector, grabbing media headlines in the process, but without making headway to change the status quo. When the secular and religious sector can collaborate and interconnect on commonly held values, much more progress will be made in promoting sexual rights.

In Africa, for example, where HIV and AIDS are widespread, religious organizations find themselves having to deal with the disease, and they are often forced to deal with human sexuality. Instead of helping matters, the religious have been found wanting in dealing with human sexuality due to a prudish moralistic approach to sex and sexuality. Much of the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in Africa has its roots in the religious sector.

The faith-based sector can certainly serve its adherents better by incorporating evidence-based information in a sensitive manner that advances the cause of social justice and human dignity. Overall, there is need for more collaborative work at the intersection of religion and sexual and reproductive health for the betterment of our societies.

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