Sexuality and the World's Religions (Religion in Contemporary Society)

Pre-marital sex and the Bible. Homosexuality and Hinduism. Polygamy and the Koran. Reproductive rights and the Judaic tradition. How do the world's major religions influence the sexual values, attitudes, and practices of their adherents? Sexuality and the World's Religions covers these not-suitable-for-the-dinner-table topics soberly and expertly, with extra chapters on non-traditional American religions and communities. What do the world's most important religious texts have to say about one of humanity's favorite activities? Editors David Machacek and Melissa Wilcox have brought together top scholars in the field of religious studies to ask and answer these critical questions. Carefully researched, elegantly written, and respectfully presented. Sexuality and the World's Religions explores the intersection of the spiritual and the carnal in Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Native American religion. A separate section explores critical religious and sexual topics in American society, including the role of spirituality in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities; the role of sex in the modern witchcraft community; and the ever thorny problem of religion and sexual liberty. Sexuality and spirituality, the animal and angel in every human soul. Reconciling the two is one of religion's most important tasks. Questions about them is what brings students and readers to this timely and comprehensive volume.