Conversational Catharsis - or, Why Don't Single Christians Talk More about Sex?

Originally written: December 2, 2006

Had an excellent conversation earlier today about romantic relationships, sexuality, and the faith. It stretched over several hours, although several hours of online chat is significantly less than several hours in real life.

Near the end of it, I realized I haven't talked - openly and honestly talked - about such things for a long time. It's almost as if we as Christians are afraid to talk about our status as sexual beings, and affirm those desires in any way, because we don't want to step across Biblical boundaries regarding lust. And I can understand the concern, but I think there would be less sexual dysfunction in the Church if we didn't try to conceal this part of ourselves, or - perhaps even more so - if we didn't only talk about it insofar as someone's fallen into sin.

Paul forbids coarse jesting not because the body is dirty, but the body is good and the things of the body to be received with thanksgiving. Maybe if Christians through the ages had taken that attitude more often, then we wouldn't now live in a society so sexualized yet so voyeuristic - a society where people find the anonymity of pornography more comfortable than the eyes (and body) of the Other.

Idea for a T-shirt (inspired by my walking in Cambridge last night): "Celebrate difference. Choose heterosexuality." Picture of a man & woman embracing.