Sex and Religion: A compassion

If you are thinking of starting a new religious movement, make sex the centre stage. Whether your religion is drifting the centre or closer to it, it sells. On the extreme of affinity and hatred for, your religion would thrive. Most religion are quick to define acceptable sexual preferences for its followers. Anything outside the ‘acceptable’ is termed sin (sin is anything considered a crime in your religion it doesn’t matter what others think).

While all religion are acceptful of heterosexual relationships between consensual adults, the bone of contention is usually bisexualism and homosexuality. Bestiality and its cohorts are in the minors and may arise for contention in my grandchildren’s’ days. The acceptance or rejection of homosexuality by Britain, America and Nigeria is based on priority level and economic chances.

Britain: Britain did accept homosexuality because the people wanted it or the leaders saw it as the right thing to do. Rather it is the fear that America would be the first country in the super-powers to welcome homosexuality nationwide that triggered their stamp of approval. More so, is the need to differ in major doctrinal issues (liberalism of the church), The Anglican communion from the Roman Catholic faith. However, this action has led to a major schism in the Anglican communion as Africans would not accept any new religion without threat to their lives (ask those who go to ‘holy ghost fire’ churches why they are scared of leaving).

America: nothing is more welcoming than an open embrace. America’s acceptance of homosexuality is not because of its uprightness nor its medical value (if any), but rather an expression of pride as the most liberal nation in the world, a home for all. Till date, the only tough challenge before America’s liberalism is racism. So, everything is welcome in America as long as it has no racial bias and religious extremity.

Nigeria: the rejection of homosexuality by the Nigerian constitution is neither the will of the people nor the vision of the government nor should we say culture and tradition. (Nigerians have no culture, no tradition. If at all they do, it is the reminisce of a long dead culture). Nigerians in changing religion accepted the European way of life. In changing their government style, adds the American spice of life. Today, Nigerians are an incongruous blend of British and American. Recently, there is an addition of Dubaism! While those born before 1965 prefer the British culture, those born in 1970s prefer American lifestyle while the latest generation would accept anything provided their head is comfortably above the waters. Even this mix, is not a reason why we jettisoned homosexuality.

Disturbingly, it is our pride in the new found religion, a need to impress religious leaders (particularly the pope), and the fear of possible supernatural threats such as earthquakes and hurricane and tornado and landslides. It is this threat to our life, the pieces of peace which we live on , a threat to a religion which those who brought to us have long modified, this threat has made Nigeria stand tall against homosexuality.

How is sex important to you and your religion? Would you let your pastor and religion define your sexuality?