The Intersectionality Between Religion and Sexual Addiction
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Authors
Orji, Samuel
Issue Date
2022
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
hypersexuality , religion , sexual addiction , sexually compulsive behaviors
Alternative Title
Abstract
Religion can be construed as having restrictive views and regulations regarding certain behaviors, including those of a sexual nature. Reports, as contained in this paper, show that hypersexual behaviors seem to be on the rise despite the large number of persons identifying as religious. This capstone project seeks to explore these factors and offer answers to whether religion restrains or enables sexual behaviors among religious populations. The study also analyzes the world's major religions and their stances and regulations toward sex. Key concepts centering on how religion facilitates or inhibits hypersexual behaviors are examined. Due to moral incongruence, sexual guilt, and religious scruples, persons within religious populations assess their sexual behaviors harshly and as addictive, leading to psychological challenges and increased hypersexuality. However, internalized religiosity and social control of religion can imbue protection against sexually addictive behaviors. Consequently, the implications for clinical work are examined, and study-based interventions are proposed for helping persons living with sexual addictions within religious communities. The proposed treatment approaches involve building a solid working alliance and employing spiritually-based and mindfulness-based therapies. These helping methods can aid persons within religious populations in addressing shame around their sexual behaviors, embracing self-compassion, attaining spiritual awakening, and enhancing intrinsic religiosity, enabling them to contain their sexual compulsions.
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Citation
Publisher
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess