Sex question

[BlindSheep]

I’ve been reading an article about Renaissance-era “sex manuals” which mentions a few books written by monks and priests which say that woman-on-top or “lateral” sex positions are sinful. Was this ever an official doctrine & is it now?

I’m NOT trying to set up a debate of any kind; I’m just looking for clarification.

 

[Zahmir]

No. Sex positions of any kind aren’t sins in themselves.

 

[BlindSheep]

Not even in the 15th century? I mean, 50 years ago meat on Friday was a sin, and now it isn’t if you give up somethihg else, am I right?

 

[jmcrae]

The only current discipline I know of regarding marital sex is that the act must be both unitive and open to life.

I have no idea what the discipline was in the 15th century, but I’m finding it difficult to imagine a celibate person (or a Christian of any kind, really) writing a sex manual. Maybe that’s just the intervening Victorian influence - who can say?

 

[Mattapoisett64]

I have also read several times of alleged church teachings, also from the Middle Ages, that forbade marital relations during Lent, Advent, Fridays, Sundays, and holy days, although my understanding is that such were local teachings, never an “official” Church discipline, and based on perhaps an excess of zeal and a culture heavily influenced by fear of plague, the closeness of death, and a sense of a wrathful God. Have never seen these sourced, however.

 

[salushonor]

I’ve been reading an article about Renaissance-era “sex manuals” which mentions a few books written by monks and priests which say that woman-on-top or “lateral” sex positions are sinful. Was this ever an official doctrine & is it now?

I’m NOT trying to set up a debate of any kind; I’m just looking for clarification.

Ask a GOOD priest such as one from Opus Dei, they are GREAT inansewring and helping clarify church teachings.

 

[Ham1]

Ask a GOOD priest such as one from Opus Dei, they are GREAT inansewring and helping clarify church teachings.

Or just be comfortable knowing that there is no Church instruction on proper sexual positions.

Read Love and Responsibility, the Theology of the Body Lectures or the Christopher West book on sex and marriage.

Probably no need to seek out a priest of Opus Dei since that may prove difficult.