Sexuality and the World's Religions

Abstract

Exploring one of the most controversial topics in contemporary theology, this scholarly volume reveals what the world's great faiths-East and West-preach about sexuality, with a special emphasis on American religion. What do the world's most important religious texts have to say about one of humanity's favorite activities? Editors David W. Machacek and Melissa M. 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 African and Native American spiritual traditions. 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. Reconciling sexuality and spirituality in every human soul is one of religion's most important tasks. Students and other readers will find this timely and comprehensive volume of interest in exploring these issues. 12 chapters on sexuality in each of the major religious traditions of the world, including African indigenous traditions, Native American traditions, Judaism, Protestant Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholic and Orthodox Christianity as well as topics in contemporary American religion such as feminist, New Age, and neopagan spiritualities Chapters written by contributors who are recognized experts in each religion and in the topic of sexuality Artwork including photographs of recent events and illustrations of pertinent sacred texts An annotated bibliography of print and online resources