Religious Beliefs

Approaching Sexuality While Remaining Culturally Sensitive:

Approach the topic as a matter-of-fact part of life.

If you believe that sexuality and sexual activity is a topic that your client would feel is inappropriate based on their religious beliefs or culture, mention the topic as one covered under the scope of practice without asking explicit questions.

If you do not believe that it is a safety risk for your client to engage in normal sexual activity and is not an area of importance or interest to your client, then sexuality is not one that should be focused on as a part of an intervention plan.

By letting your client know that this is a part of your scope of practice and offering to have an open conversation about the topic, then your client may approach you about it in the future.

Reflect on how your personal beliefs may bias your opinion when discussing sexuality with patients. Separate your personal beliefs from your professional interactions with your client (Spadt et al., 2014).

Be aware that different religions have different perspectives on sexuality (Spadt et al., 2014):

  • Catholicism: Sexual activity should only occur within the confines of marriage between a man and a woman.
  • Judaism: Sexual activity is need as a positive and natural behavior, but should only occur within marriage for the purpose of procreation. Traditional Judaism prohibits masturbation and homosexuality.
  • Hinduism: Sexual pleasure is seen as one of the four essential elements necessary to live a good life. Traditional Hindu cultures do not condone sexual activity outside of marriage. Overall, Hinduism does not condemn homosexuality.
  • Islam: Traditional Islam does not allow for sexual relations outside of marriage and some Muslim women choose to cover their body for modesty. Homosexuality is not acceptable based on the Quran.
  • Buddhism: In Buddhism, there is a requirement that people do not engage in sexual misconduct, which includes having sex with people in another relationship and sexual abuse. There is no reference to homosexuality or masturbation in Buddha's teachings, but there is considerable variation in followers.
  • Latter-Day Saints/Mormonism: The church does not allow for extra-marital sexual activity or homosexuality. Pornography and masturbation are strictly prohibited.

These are general beliefs that are set forth by the governing bodies or religious texts of these specific religions. However, individual followers may have a diverse range of beliefs about sexuality and religion.

References

Spadt, S. K., Rosenbaum, T. Y., Dweck, A., Millheiser, L., Pillai-Friedman, S., & Krychman, M. (2014). CME information: Sexual health and religion: A primer for the sexual health clinician. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(7), 1606-1619. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12593