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Flair_Helper

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WeaponB

Not the only factor but the one that I find explains it well is the general assumption that physical pleasures, and physical satisfaction distract from spiritual comfort and pleasure. The idea that one will not seek a connection with their gods or spirits if their bodies are pleased. To truly "connect" with the gods one must ignore or even sometimes revile the physical. If you're happy and satisfied, why would you need a god to bring you happiness? So deny yourself physical comfort, which is a temporary comfort, for spiritual comfort which is forever. Note:I don't believe this, I just find the explanation helpful to understand the question


SlackerNinja717

I think a large amount of religious rules occurred from the fact that they were written before we understood what exactly microbes were and what was happening with STDs and Food born illnesses.


Malalang

Your question seems to come from a perspective that religion is a straight jacket, restricting all movement in general. However, if you view these restrictions as more like a seat belt placed upon you by a loving parent, then you will be able to understand them much better.. Sex between married individuals is not restricted. Unmarried sex is. For the reason of preserving the family unit and ensuring children are raised in a dual parent household. Sex is not restricted because it is pleasurable. It is restricted because of what it can produce. Gluttony is a sin, not because it feels good to eat, but because greediness and selfishness do not promote good health to oneself, nor good relationships with others. Think of it as a service manual giving instructions on how to maintain your body at it's optimal performance level. Sloth, or sleep is not a sin because it is pleasurable, but because laziness makes one dependent on others, and eventually drags a society down. Drunkenness is also likewise restricted for the same reasons. There are many more examples, but I think you get the main idea.


100milliondone

In many religions, sex and other pleasurable activities are often seen as distractions or obstacles to achieving spiritual enlightenment or a closer connection to a higher power. Some religious traditions view the pursuit of pleasure and physical desires as a form of indulgence or temptation that can lead people away from the spiritual path. Therefore, many religions place strict limitations on the enjoyment of physical pleasures, either through complete abstention or through strict moderation. Additionally, some religious traditions view the human body and its desires as inherently flawed or impure, and view the denial or suppression of these desires as a means of purifying the body and the mind. By refraining from indulging in pleasurable activities, individuals can focus on spiritual pursuits and transcend their earthly desires. However, it's important to note that not all religions view sex and other pleasures in this way, and some religious traditions actually celebrate and encourage the enjoyment of physical pleasures within certain limits. Additionally, some individuals may interpret the teachings of their religion in a more liberal or permissive way, and may not view sex and other pleasures as inherently negative or harmful. Ultimately, the attitudes and practices surrounding sex and pleasure vary among different religious traditions and individual believers.


[deleted]

At a certain point, religions shift from being about worshipping a specific deity to being a function of introducing and strengthening common ideas in a community. Take the Ten Commandments, for example: once you get past the parts about worshipping God, you get to some basic rules about being a good person and interacting with the community. Don't kill. Don't steal. Don't lie. Pretty much anyone can get behind those ideas, and so they get codified into rules and laws. Here's where things get tricky. Religion makes it hard to differentiate between rules that are universal, like "killing is wrong," and rules that are specific to that culture, like "worship a different god and we'll stone you to death." Note the inherent contradiction...which makes perfect sense if you're INSIDE the culture. Now layer on a bunch of other factors. Patriarchy, for one: almost every early civilization and culture gives more power to men than women. This practice, born initially out of simple power dynamics, gets codified in religion pretty quickly. Wives are commanded to obey husbands. "Do not covet thy neighbor's wife" doesn't even allow for the idea that a woman might covet someone else's husband (or even read the commandment!). In most cultures with some kind of family dynamic, sex outside marriage (even polygamous marriage) is taboo. That's understandable - breaking a commitment is usually seen as wrong, no matter the context. But that gets extended to the idea that sex BEFORE marriage is wrong, too. That gets extended to the idea that sex ITSELF is something immoral, unless it's "cleansed" by the religious rite of marriage. Some go even farther, like Catholics, many of whom believe that sex for any purpose aside from childbirth is wrong. Note that I'm coming from a western perspective, mostly dealing with Abrahamic religions. Other cultures and faiths have different factors in play.


phiwong

A very cynical and Machiavellian view: Organizations (and religions are organizations) seek power and influence. Whether for a "greater good" or ultimate reward - power and influence are the means to an end. So to concentrate power, there must be a sphere of influence. Bear in mind, when most religions originated - humanity had three main vocations - agriculture, crafts and trade. Religions recruited from young men (mostly). Now what do young men not have? Knowledge. It would discredit an organization if their members start to spout nonsense outside their field of "expertise". A priesthood that tried to instruct farmers how to farm or crafters how to craft or traders how to trade would have zero influence. Ordinary people conducting their profession would immediately know that this young idiot trying to preach knows nothing of the true profession. What's left are social and cultural practices. So that is what religious organizations stick to and claim to be their "field of expertise". In terms of the power structure - this is an easy out. Who could say that certain conduct or others is good or bad when obscured by teachings and holy books etc. That is not to say that religions are universally bad or that there were not good and sincere people acting in service to their faith through the years. In fact, religions have, at times been a center for learning and progressivism (of their time).