America is something of an anomaly in the world. As a culture, we bombard ourselves with sexual imagery, yet we find it difficult to have national conversations about sex. Today, Americans are more sexually open than ever before, but stigmas still exist about everything from premarital sex to masturbation to promiscuity. These are vestiges of our country's Puritanical roots. Considered overly radical and pious, the Puritans fled England, settling in North America in the 17th century. They brought with them their particularly stringent style of Christianity. The Puritan view of sex was complicated—they were decidedly pro-sex, so long as it happened within the confines of a marriage, but sex outside of marriage could be punished harshly. Many of the stern Puritan views of adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, and promiscuity still linger today, particularly amongst some Christian groups. Consider the Christian influence in national matters such as same-sex marriage, contraception, sexual education, and abortion. For better or worse, our Puritanical roots help shape the modern American sexual psyche, even in the 21st century. But what should be the role of religion in these national conversations? For example, should religion play a role in national debates, such as what constitutes rape and the effects of pornography? How can 2014 America reconcile its 1600s upbringing?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "Are Sex and Religion Natural Enemies?" (Psychology Today)
- "One Preacher's Message: Have Hotter Sex" (NBC News)
- "Masturbation: Does Your Religion Give It the Thumbs Up or Down?" (Beliefnet)
- "God, Sex and Love on American Campuses" (Huffington Post)
- "Christians and Masturbation: Seven Perspectives" (Rachel Held Evans)
- "I Am Damaged Goods" (A Deeper Story)
Requirements:
- Be in MLA Style
- Be two full pages in length
- Works cited page
Due: Sec. 16—We 04.02; Sec 80—Mo 04.07
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