I am not certain that this distinction between Christianity and Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism can really be made. My own experience with Buddhism shows as many "hang-ups" about sex as found in Catholicism and minorities who see sex more expansively and spiritually. The Dalai Lama for example has denied that Tantra even exists; most Buddhist teaching and practice still value celibacy over sexuality; Tantra is highly controlled, open only to very "advanced" spiritual persons. At a recent meeting of progressive Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic et cetera leaders, Christians and Jews wanted to include the phrase "sexuality is a gift from God and by its nature good." Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu representatives, while personally open to sexuality as a good, were adamant in saying that their teachings could not result in such an assertion of goodness. This reaction was not based on God language, which does not work for Buddhists, but more factual on their view of sex. Not to say that sexuality was bad, but at best neutral.
I would say that the greatest problem for Christians in the sex realm, is not whether sex weighs us down on the path to transcendence or if it is a portion of the soul. The question of when and under what circumstances sex is permitted is key and for almost all of Christianity the sacralization of marriage is the problem, for sex is only redeemed in marriage.
Francoeur and Moore respond |
|
