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> Though I can't find that anywhere in any of the commandments, or the new testament. A quibble - while this negative view of sex may not be the view of other
by azernik 8y ago
> Though I can't find that anywhere in any of the commandments, or the new testament.
A quibble - while this negative view of sex may not be the view of other texts in the Bible, it is very clearly part of Paul's worldview, as evidenced in e.g. 2 Corinthians.
- zozbot123 8y ago> while this negative view of sex may not be the view of other texts in the Bible, it is very clearly part of Paul's worldview, as evidenced in e.g. 2 Corinthians. A further quibble - Paul's worldview wrt. sex is actually, and very clearly, a negative view of Graeco-Roman sexual practices, which were by-and-large openly exploitive. And that negative view was broadly shared by philosophers at the time, especially within Stoicism[1] - indeed, there had been at least some philosophically-inspired criticism of Greek practices, however understated, even centuries before Jesus or Paul. [1] The broader historical analogies between Stoic and early Christian views actually explain a lot of early Christianity's success, particularly within Graeco-Roman elites. We have sources essentially stating as much, such as one Stoic philosopher regarding "the wise king of the Jews" as the equal of Socrates and Pythagoras-- in that all of them were unjustly murdered, and yet their wisdom spread thereafter; proving that the favor of the gods is what really matters in the end.
- azernik 8y agoI think this is understating his views - in 2 Corinthians, he is very clearly against sex period, and sees sex within marriage as a necessary evil for those unable to practice complete celibacy.
- marcus_holmes 8y agoAh yes, the old misogynist himself. I forgot about him. Which is stupid of me, because this whole thing probably starts with him.