Poor Sex = Sex; Rich Sex = Chastity?

In his article “Religious Ethics and the World: Sexuality and Art,” Max Weber does some fancy footwork around the concepts of religion, sexuality and art.

On the topic of sexuality versus religiosity, Weber equates sexual intoxication with religious behaviour. Specifically, he comments that sex is the religion of the primitive masses. However, through the development of social norms, the ecstasy of religious practices is produced by orgiastic means other than sex, for instance dance. This causes the erotic experience to be labeled as an unfortunate side effect of an otherwise sexless act.

Consequently, chastity is promoted as a charismatic quality and a source of valuable ecstatic abilities (tapas, if you will). By shunning sexuality, man is transcending his baser animal instincts to partake in sexual activities. Furthermore, it is promoted, that man is allowed to focus on more important ideals if his mind and body aren’t corrupted by sex.

A comment on the sex-negative attitude promoted by most world religions: isn’t it a tad bit hypocritical of the prophet Mohammed to have denounced sexuality while garnering for himself the boon of multiple (with no limit on number) wives? Just a thought!

Weber addresses the notion that salvation can only come through complete rejection of all sexual relations. This means that the majority of people will never attain salvation for their earthly choice to be married, become parents, or simply indulge in the sexual act! Women, being the eternal bearers of sex and the pollution it brings, are regarded as the vessels of this “whoredom”! Weber suggests that while a particular woman might be regarded as sacred, the entire female sex is still considered polluted. I don’t comprehend how it is ‘logical’ for women to be this treacherous vessels of depravity, and yet be considered vital to the furthering of the species! It’s a contradiction; however, I suppose the blame has to land somewhere!!!

In keeping with this disdainful view of sexual activity, marriage is regarded as a means to an end – a legal method of producing and rearing children for a labour force, and performers of the funeral rites. There is no erotic value attached to the marital bond. In fact, Weber later goes on to state that Luther (of Protestantism fame) regarded sexual expression within a marriage as the lesser evil when pitted against the sins of whoredom – which apparently is the inevitable end if marriage didn’t exist. And of course all the whores would be women who would lure the otherwise chaste men away from their lofty ideals!

Weber goes on to state that sex is for the peasant, while the more evolved person is in pursuit of higher ideals.