Concepts of Sex in Religion
While initially rituals regarding sex may seem barbaric and impossible to understand. This week’s readings focused on sex as it relates to life, how it is the fusion of male and female and has been used as a means of worship. Sex in general, and the male organ specifically, has been viewed as a life giving force. Both the Kumar and Sodergard explored a topic that I found quite unexpectedly uncomfortable, views of male genitalia and ritualized castration. Shiva, for example, is represented by phallic imagery. These statues and depictions of masculinity can be found throughout the Hindu culture, oftentimes- but not always- in regards to Shiva. The cultures that focus on this imagery have many varying, even contradictory, legends in regards to the source and significance of this symbol and its origination, but its significance is clear.
Honestly this selection, along with the readings on Tantra, were challenging for me. Hinduism has always been a slight challenge to study for me, perhaps for the same reasons this class has proved challenging. Hinduism does not fit the mold of western “religion”, it is a completely different system of societal interactions and spiritual beliefs. This weeks selection from Hinduism by Wendy Doniger explores lesser known facts about the Hindu culture in regards to Tantra rituals and history. There is an almost tangible distinction between ritual practices that are conducted and the perception outsiders have in regards to these same rituals. The Tantra, a historically recent text of hinduism, is an interesting ritualistic practice that is divided into varying levels of myth and practice, and the societal structures that arise in between are a driving factor in how the culture both operates and is perceived. There was a long period of time where Tantra, despite being considered a part of a secret ritual, was well known and even a part of regular life for both royals and the public. It seems that due to the more intense ritualistic elements it developed a vague taboo, even while being recognized as almost a standard.
The Sodergard reading on the cult of Galli and the ritualistic body mutilation had a uniquely noticeable tie in to the other readings in that it highlighted sex as an act of creating life. While I find the idea of ritualistic and religious castration troubling, it is interesting that this was done as a way to provide sustenance and nourishment for Galli. While neither sex was pleasing to the goddess as far as the cult believed there was some use and power to be found in the male sexual organ.
It seems that in our society, particularly in modern times, sex is seen as either a fun activity or something to be left out of public discussion. We often see people either using sexuality, such as in advertising or entertainment, or completely condemning any public views or discussions; the parent who doesn’t want their child to take sex ed or watch TV. Both views seem paint sex in a negative light as it is either something to me ignored or something shallow to be capitalized on. The concept of sexuality as a base of rituals and religion- a platform to base one's life and belief on- has been long lost to those who view western civilization as the peak of “civilized society”.