The major religions of the world have always been about patriarchy, internal misogyny of leadership positions and authoritarianism. Requiring a moral “franchising” of conditions for sexual relations which limits them to heterosexual couples tied to a marriage contract.
Important Note on This Article: The various patriarchal religions include a wide variety of teachings and emphasis. They can be categorized as extremist, fundamentalist, rightist, centrist, progressive or left wing according to the doctrines they emphasize. This article mostly refers to congregations that are more extremist (or fundamentalist) in interpretation of doctrines, the bible and teachings.
Any movement (religious, political or social) that promotes a more open and free sexuality will be harshly attacked by its right wing fundamentalist section, often as a criminal deviation or even a form of Satanism.
What in the World is a Sex Franchise?
OK, legally and in civil law there is no such defined process. The following definition is what in practice is being “sold” to members by most fundamentalist patriarchal religions, and to a lesser degree by more liberal institutions and congregations.
It consists of a single permitted circumstance under which it’s permissible to have sex and the only way according to them you can avoid living in sexual sin:
Franchise Definition: a moral authorization granted by (fill in religious source) only to heterosexual couples joined in a legally administered marriage contract headed by the male to engage in reproductive sexual activities.
Declining Religious Influence but . . .
In the last five hundred years organized religion lost having its tentacles directly on the seats of power in many countries. But they still have a close and privileged relation to the ruling powers of these nations.
However, those that are still governed by religious parties or clergy are mostly authoritarian dictatorships, a significant fact.
Hidden behind today’s minority anti-abortion advocates are these same patriarchal religious movements that lean far right, usually fundamentalist ones. They seek to control the conditions under which women, and men to a somewhat lesser degree, may engage in a sexual relationship.
Dealing With the Devil Republicans
These right wing fundamentalist forces, cut from the same cloth as the folks that once gave us the “Scopes Monkey Trial”1, have made deals to support the “political devil”, leading to Roe v. Wade being overturned by an extremist Supreme Court. The motive for the Republicans being votes and expanding their goal of obtaining dictatorial powers. The motive for these far right religious groups is a seat at the table of a dictatorial government. Fundamentalist religious sects are most likely to embrace authoritarianism, a tendency that has been widely researched and exposed.
What’s Next?
It can be safely assumed that birth control and the morning after pill will be their next targets to deny to women. And to take back the progress that has been made for those who engage in same sex relations.
How Some Religious Groups Justify Authoritarianism
The connection between patriarchal religions, in particular their fundamentalist sects, and authoritarianism are often overlooked. They emphasize the existence of an all knowing, powerful and vengeful God.
One that created everything in the Universe and presents the ultimate authoritarian figure to be worshiped and obeyed. And who ruthlessly punish sinners. This is an image quite easily appropriated by male leaders claiming such authority here on Earth.
Orwellian Teachings
I was taught in Catholic grammar school in the 1950s that masturbation, referred to as the sin of self abuse or Onanism, was categorized as a mortal sin. One that must be told to and forgiven by a priest during the humiliation of confession before you die.
Commit a mortal sin, for those not familiar with the term, meant spending all eternity in hell fire for offenders if not forgiven by a priest in confession.
Even sex affirmative therapists suggest that parents instruct very young children who masturbate before them to do so in private, and in the process can unwittingly also attach guilt to the act.
While seemingly a more sensible approach, if not done in a way a child can understand that it’s not a punishment, it can backfire and start a child on the road to sexual guilt.
Big Brother is Watching
We were also told frequently in religion classes that God sees all and knows. Including, as in the Police song about an obsessed lover, every step you take, every thought you make he’ll be watching you. God is the ultimate “Vulcan mind meld” planted in your brain according to religion — and not just by the fundamentalist sects.
It sets the stage for children to be compelled to guiltily pray at a very early age to God for forgiveness for their transgressions. Which often includes sexual thoughts and behaviors deemed to be sinful.
We were taught to fear our own natural desires and see our bodies as vehicles of sin. I consider such teachings to be a form of child abuse as damaging as physical harm.
Fundamentalist Sects Most Likely to Embrace Authoritarianism
Even though few these days obey these repressive sex negative rules, strong associations with feeling of guilt often persist. And while the severity in which these fundamentalist teachings are enforced varies in intensity, they still nevertheless implant sexual guilt in young people’s minds that are subjected to this “education.”
Function of the Orgasm
This guilt leads in many cases to sadistic, neurotic, violent and other unhealthy behaviors that are believed to be triggered in part by the failure to be able to experience fully releasing orgasms.
A release that is hampered by the acquired sexual guilt that blocks the release of pent up sexual energy a satisfying orgasm requires. The function of the unfettered orgasm is an essential process in building a well rounded and healthy mental and emotional individual, male or female. Repressed sexual energy is a powerful but negative life force that causes much unrealized harm to mind and body when not released.
Non-Religious Sexual Negation
Parents and care givers need not subject children to overt religious or sex negative training to see them develop similar mental and physical disturbances.
The need for frank sexual education and information are often discouraged or ignored completely. Ignoring sexual development in children or discouraging age appropriate sexual expression can cause similar harm. Especially as puberty developments.
Political Consequences
Sexual guilt and emotional immaturity can also have serious political consequences. It can significantly promote and enable authoritarian dependence on male authority figures and stifle independent thought.
In a twisted way, the authority figures they are attracted to tend to be looked at as a source of “truth” or a God-like figure. No matter how irrational (think Trump and MAGA) they may seem to someone who has learned to think independently.
This dependence is readily transferred from a “heavenly God” to authoritarian political and religious leaders.
There are two traits in common between dedicated followers of both the MAGA movement and religious extremists, both of which have taken a lifetime to develop and are extremely resistant to change.
And that is a loss of free will and submission to male authoritarian figures.
Recommended Reading:
The Function of the Orgasm by Wilhelm Reich
The Mass Psychology of Fascism by Wilhelm Reich
Religion and Authoritarianism
1 The Scopes “Monkey” Trial — When a law was passed to outlaw the teaching of evolution in public schools in Tennessee in 1925. The trial highlighted separation of church and state issues, which is again threatened today.
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