Sunday Musings - March 24, 2024
Religious leaders, throughout the ages, have had a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that we humans are sexual beings 365 days of the year. Of course, some of us have a stronger sex drive than others and a few seem to have no sex drive or interest at all. Even many autistic individuals bond and have an intimate relationship with another human. Clearly, we humans are designed to enjoy intimacy including sex. Some of us will also assume the role of a biological parent via sexual intercourse or via one of the amazing procedures which have been created to facilitate the creation.
We in the United States seem to have a love/hate relationship with sex. This is also true in other cultures and countries, but we may have perfected the art of duplicity when it comes to sex. Many of our neighbors do all they can to ensure the illusion that sex is only between two married people of opposite genders for procreation only. They also attempt to endure that all accept the illusion that “God creates male and females only.” even though physicians and some parents are aware that a significant number of individuals are born with characteristic and organs of both genders. They do not approve of the concept or reality of non-binary or transgender individuals.
Many of those who are publicly uncomfortable with sex for pleasure also proclaim God intended gender and gender roles be clearly assigned. Thus, some male “religious” individuals and groups forbid women to be religious leaders or have equal opportunity and respect in any area of life.
The alleged superior beings - males - also may decide what garments women must wear, whether they can drive, attend school, or otherwise have access to tools of independence. If they are “allowed” some equal rights, they are paid less which is another tool to keep them “in their place”.
Often, these very same religious leaders who make the rules and promote a story about what God allows are often the very same men who uses women and men as sexual objects and to serve their needs and desires in other areas of their life.
Many Christian religious leaders conceptualize Jesus as basically a God who was never “spoiled” with sex. Any suggestion that Jesus had sex with females or males is labeled sinful or worse.
In these United States while labeling most sexual activity as sinful, many Christians are comfortable using sex to sell a wide variety of products from cars to clothes.
I would be amiss if I did not remind the reader that pornography of all varieties is the most profitable business in the world.
As Christians continue their celebration of Lent and their preparation for the miracle of the resurrection of the teacher Jesus, it is time to unveil the hypocrisy of our sexual attitudes. It is time to unveil the fact that our sexual teachings have their basis in the need to ensure the patriarchal status quo of the power structure; the status quo economically, religiously, culturally, and emotionally.
Mary carried a baby, gave birth in a stable and along with Joseph raised a child who was probably an “old soul” with many talents and wisdom gained over many generations. We have all met children who were obviously old souls. Jesus taught at an early age and was clearly aware of social injustice, the nature of healing and “miracles”. If stories are to be believed he refused to differentiate between ways we hurt and abuse each other. For the same reason he could suggest we forgive our enemies; even those who were responsible for convicting him and nailing him alive to the cross.
Mary does not need to have an immaculate conception and Jesus does not have to be celibate as “the God” for us to celebrate them as the role models/teachers they were. Celibacy does not equal sainthood. Sexual enjoyment does not preclude sainthood. Treating all peoples as sacred regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, intelligence as we measure it, cultural background, race, color, or size does equal sainthood. We can enjoy each other sexually and otherwise without abusing each other or making one group superior.
Whether our religious background or current framework is Christian, Muslim, Jewish. Buddhist, or a host of other options the miracle is not a self-centered power structure but the very fact of how all pieces or parts of the universes create a whole. It is time we are honest about the fact our public attitudes and rules about gender and sexuality have nothing to do with sex or gender and everything to do with power structures and justification of the same.
Honesty opens the door to freedom to be the best of who we say we want to be. In this season of Lent and Ramadan let us embrace the miracle of who we are as humans.
Written March 24, 2024
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Religious leaders, throughout the ages, have had a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that we humans are sexual beings 365 days of the year. Of course, some of us have a stronger sex drive than others and a few seem to have no sex drive or interest at all. Even many autistic individuals bond and have an intimate relationship with another human. Clearly, we humans are designed to enjoy intimacy including sex. Some of us will also assume the role of a biological parent via sexual intercourse or via one of the amazing procedures which have been created to facilitate the creation.
We in the United States seem to have a love/hate relationship with sex. This is also true in other cultures and countries, but we may have perfected the art of duplicity when it comes to sex. Many of our neighbors do all they can to ensure the illusion that sex is only between two married people of opposite genders for procreation only. They also attempt to endure that all accept the illusion that “God creates male and females only.” even though physicians and some parents are aware that a significant number of individuals are born with characteristic and organs of both genders. They do not approve of the concept or reality of non-binary or transgender individuals.
Many of those who are publicly uncomfortable with sex for pleasure also proclaim God intended gender and gender roles be clearly assigned. Thus, some male “religious” individuals and groups forbid women to be religious leaders or have equal opportunity and respect in any area of life.
The alleged superior beings - males - also may decide what garments women must wear, whether they can drive, attend school, or otherwise have access to tools of independence. If they are “allowed” some equal rights, they are paid less which is another tool to keep them “in their place”.
Often, these very same religious leaders who make the rules and promote a story about what God allows are often the very same men who uses women and men as sexual objects and to serve their needs and desires in other areas of their life.
Many Christian religious leaders conceptualize Jesus as basically a God who was never “spoiled” with sex. Any suggestion that Jesus had sex with females or males is labeled sinful or worse.
In these United States while labeling most sexual activity as sinful, many Christians are comfortable using sex to sell a wide variety of products from cars to clothes.
I would be amiss if I did not remind the reader that pornography of all varieties is the most profitable business in the world.
As Christians continue their celebration of Lent and their preparation for the miracle of the resurrection of the teacher Jesus, it is time to unveil the hypocrisy of our sexual attitudes. It is time to unveil the fact that our sexual teachings have their basis in the need to ensure the patriarchal status quo of the power structure; the status quo economically, religiously, culturally, and emotionally.
Mary carried a baby, gave birth in a stable and along with Joseph raised a child who was probably an “old soul” with many talents and wisdom gained over many generations. We have all met children who were obviously old souls. Jesus taught at an early age and was clearly aware of social injustice, the nature of healing and “miracles”. If stories are to be believed he refused to differentiate between ways we hurt and abuse each other. For the same reason he could suggest we forgive our enemies; even those who were responsible for convicting him and nailing him alive to the cross.
Mary does not need to have an immaculate conception and Jesus does not have to be celibate as “the God” for us to celebrate them as the role models/teachers they were. Celibacy does not equal sainthood. Sexual enjoyment does not preclude sainthood. Treating all peoples as sacred regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, intelligence as we measure it, cultural background, race, color, or size does equal sainthood. We can enjoy each other sexually and otherwise without abusing each other or making one group superior.
Whether our religious background or current framework is Christian, Muslim, Jewish. Buddhist, or a host of other options the miracle is not a self-centered power structure but the very fact of how all pieces or parts of the universes create a whole. It is time we are honest about the fact our public attitudes and rules about gender and sexuality have nothing to do with sex or gender and everything to do with power structures and justification of the same.
Honesty opens the door to freedom to be the best of who we say we want to be. In this season of Lent and Ramadan let us embrace the miracle of who we are as humans.
Written March 24, 2024
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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