Register Now!

Question II Redemption though the mortification of the flesh fasting, hair shirts, flagellation, celibacy, reclusion, martyrdom, et cetera has been prevalent in the history of Catholicism. Since pain and denial can lead to an acute awareness of the body, did such practices ever have any sexual components for ascetics?

One of the "fathers of the church," Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 CE), when asked why Adam and Eve clothed themselves with fig leaves, answered that they chose these scratchy leaves precisely to "punish" the organs that, he says, "led them into sin." How does it sound to you?

Introduction Question I Camille Paglia Thomas Moore Elaine Pagels Robert Francoeur Frances Kissling Question II Camille Paglia Thomas Moore Elaine Pagels Robert Francoeur Frances Kissling Question III Camille Paglia Thomas Moore Elaine Pagels Robert Francoeur Frances Kissling Question IV Camille Paglia Thomas Moore Elaine Pagels Robert Francoeur Frances Kissling Question V Camille Paglia Thomas Moore Elaine Pagels Robert Francoeur Frances Kissling ©1999 Elaine Pagels and hooksexup.com