For a long time I had “sex” as an intended subject but how to discuss it in the context of atheism? Then I was pointed to this article by Dean Van Drasek “Five Reasons Why Sex can be Better for Atheists”. He arrives at two conclusions. The first is that atheists are free from feeling guilty about sex just because some religion tells them they are guilty. The second is that atheists don’t feel the need to judge the sexual preferences of others (assuming laws are upheld).
Has it ever struck you as strange how religion treats sex? I was raised Catholic and I know that missing mass on Sunday is a sin, as was eating meat on Friday, or using a curse word, or telling a lie. Your punishment for nearly all sins was going to happen in the afterlife. But for some reason sex was to be punished here on earth. I’m sure there are exceptions but the distinction seems a bit suspicious to me. I feel that at least some religious people want to punish sex while still in this life because they have a doubt as to what punishments will happen in the afterlife. Maybe God doesn’t keep score in the bedroom after all!
Consider the argument made by some conservatives that transgender people are required to use the public bathrooms where the name on the door specifies the gender matching the one on their birth certificate. What does this imply? The conservative at the movie theatre will send their daughters to the women’s restroom which might be (by law) populated with transgender people who look, talk, act, and think like a male. This is a good idea? And remember that this is promoted by the most conservative among us!
Of course, this isn’t the intention. The real intent is to punish people for being transgender. And even though this issue is pushed on moral grounds, the religious right has no intention of leaving punishment to God.
Other modern-day issues involving sex get similar treatment. Look at this list: homosexuality, transgender, pornography, abortion, birth control. All of these (at least potentially) result in fewer babies being born. Given the overpopulation of the planet, this should be a good thing. Instead, some bemoan the increase in moral turpitude. We should take notice that human civilization is trying to be more responsible.
