Asexuality: Encyclopedia II - Asexuality - Asexuality and religion

Asexuality - Asexuality and religion

Several religions or religious sects believe that asexuality is a spiritually superior condition, and some asexuals believe that their lack of "base desires" allows them to feel a deeper spirituality, although other asexuals consider that an elitist attitude. For example, it is likely that in past centuries, many Catholic priests, monks, and nuns were asexuals, including many canonized saints. In other creeds, children are considered a gift from God that should not be refused, a means of spreading religion, or both; it should be noted, though, that some asexuals do have children, and some religions have praised both asexuality and children. Furthermore, according to some religious beliefs, sexuality itself is sacred or a divine gift; certain varieties of Tantra involve sex, for example, and some types of neopaganism and New Age include the concept of sacred sexuality.

Currently, asexuality faces little religious condemnation.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Asexuality and religion", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki