Pagan Sexuality

[Brochfael]

On an email group discussing the academic study of Paganisms past and present, a post got me thinking about how Pagan attitudes to sex and sexuality are perceived.

It occurred to me that some have tried to promulgate a view that contemporary Pagans are inclined to be sexually licentious and it has to be admitted that certain individuals within contemporary Paganism (naming no names) have tended to conform to this stereotype. I've not done any disciplined research into the topic but anecdotally I have come across a varied attitude to sex from contemporary Pagans. Some describe sex as a sacred act which should be engaged in with great care and only within the context of a loving relationship. Others I have spoken to consider the ecstasy of sex to be a gift of the gods/goddess and that to deny it is to throw it back in their/her face. This latter understanding sometimes but certainly not always comes with a willingness to have sex often and with a variety of partners but I have encountered very few (if any) Pagans who might view the refusal of sex as impolite or in some way wrong. One man I was acquainted with had been rumoured to have held such an attitude in the past but I've certainly never heard of from any Pagan women I've known. Finally I have come across a very few Pagans who seem to feel that sex is dirty, polluting or generally undesirable but in all of these cases I have discussed, the people involved expressed the opinion that this was a hangover from their Christian upbringing and was an attitude they wanted to overcome.

Does this sound like a cogent analysis? Has anyone anything to add to it? Do we as Brythonic Pagans share a common attitude on this issue?

[potia]

Interesting topic

The prevailing culture for most of us will be that sex should happen in relationships, preferably long term ones. They teach about importance of the relationship side in schools from quite an early age now. So sex for fun and purely as a recreational or even as sacred act seems to be slightly frowned upon by society at large unless it's also within a relationship. Sacred sex is something that currently I have no experience of, I am aware though that even within Wicca the great rite (which is essentially sacred sex) is now more often symbolic than actual.

Pagans on the whole do seem to be more relaxed about these things in my experience but even so I find that there are still these almost unconcious attitudes and to be honest in my expereince it is also a gender biased one too. In my experience it is still more acceptable within society at large for a man to play the field sexually than it is for a woman. I think that may be beginning to change a little though.

I think one of the things that is stronger within the Pagan community is the willingness to talk more openly about such things which is good.

As to whether we share an attitude as Brythonic Pagans on this I haven't got a clue as I don't think it's ever something we have talked about.

[Chad]

I can only expound my own views on such a personal subject. Two consenting adults, who are single, should do whatever it is they're going to do in that field. I, personally scorn cheating on someone, as I find it selfish and deplorable. If someone is in an open relationship, then that would be different. Also, polyamorous relationships seem to be on the rise. Once again, if everyone in that setting agrees, then it's fine by me. I think it's more of an agreement between the people involved, so long as everyone is of legal age, and consents, then it matters not to me what they do in the bedroom. So, to me, sex is only as right or wrong as the people involved.