For centuries, a profound question has persisted: Is sex incompatible with religious life? Equally important, what place do human relationships hold in spiritual pursuit? We examine these together, considering why humanity worldwide has given sex such immense importance.
Why Is Sex So Important?
This question haunts us collectively: Why has humanity placed such overwhelming emphasis on sex across all activities and life itself? In today's permissive environment, even 12- or 13-year-olds are already engaging in sexual relations.
Why don't we give equal weight to love or compassion? Why not to our wars, terrorism, national divisions, and the immoral society we inhabit—yet elevate sex above all? Is it because sex offers the greatest pleasure in life?
Religious Perspectives: Suppression vs. Tantra
Humanity has taken two extreme paths on this issue:
Tantra: Certain gurus and an entire philosophy called Tantra base themselves on sex, teaching that through it, one can reach God. This approach has gained considerable popularity.
Suppression: On the other hand, monks, Indian sannyasis, and Buddhist priests have denounced sex, viewing it as a waste of energy. They argue that to serve God, one must bring all energy undivided—thus denying, controlling, and suppressing or burning out all sexual demands within.
Thus, we have both permissive attitudes and so-called religious suppression. In between are those who enjoy both, with one foot in each camp.
Liberation from Life's Mechanical Routine
Why are we so sexually obsessed? Is it because we lack freedom in all other directions?
Most of our lives consist of struggle, toil, and meaningless existence. At least sex gives us pleasure, well-being, and a sense of relationship we call love.
Our minds have become mechanical. We go to the office from 9 to 5, enduring bullying or domineering bosses. Our thinking assumes we are Christian...