This article is a summary of Filipe Fontes’ lecture at the Interactive Faithful Conference 2020.
Today our culture has a very different sense of sexuality than it was years ago, for example, until recently, heterosexual and monogamous marriage was recognized as normal and appropriate, but at the end of the 19th century a sexual revolution began: a radical transformation. which peaked in the mid-20th century and still persists to this day; a slow and silent revolution, but it has great implications for you.
- But what led to this revolution?How can we understand this radical transformation of the last 60 years ?.
- Because its proof is in our daily lives.
- Often translated into appealing to the sex figure in films and commercials.
- Which in general is the result of much more than we usually think.
- It is important to consider this issue carefully so that we can face the challenges of this contemporary culture.
Revolution is a complex event and involves different causes. In the material aspect, it is worth highlighting urbanization, which has provided an anonymity that leads to sexual freedom; and the development of contraceptive technology, which takes advantage of extramarital sexual activity, but, perhaps more importantly, in the intangible sphere, there is a change of mindset that derives from the modern process of secularization, that is, the idea that the construction science, morality and society away from any religious hypothesis.
This is a point of agreement and disagreement between Christian and non-Christian analysts. Is the deal in the fact that this?It is the result of a rupture with Christian theism, because it says that sex must be seen in respectful moderation, not merely as a physiological mechanism, but as an expression of God’s revelation; and for also declaring that heterosexual and monogamous marriage should be the only environment for sexual intercourse, but there is a discrepancy in value judgment: opposing analysts say it is time to improve and strengthen sexuality, although they often perceive the devastating effects of defending such a position that foreshadows the collapse of society.
It is also worth mentioning that the vision of sexuality proposed by culture expresses other religious ideas, it is generally thought that it is possible to build sexuality (or culture) from religious assumptions, however, one of the basic assumptions of Christian anthropology is that we are religious beings created to believe and worship, and everything we do, including how we relate to sexuality , is a reflection of what we adore.
But, after all, what religions are the basis of contemporary sexual morality?There are two, different on the outside, but identical on the inside. First, secularism. It presents itself as non-religious, but it is openly anthropocentric and proposes that human sovereignty and temporal happiness and the well-being of man be priorities. Understand religious terms: sovereignty and happiness. The second, neo-Ganism, a set of beliefs that is installed in modernity thanks to the influence of certain Eastern religions, the latter, unlike the first, is not openly anthropocentric, but concerns people, nature, etc. , before reaching anthropocentrism through the impersonalization of Dieu. Et here is the greatest problem: when God becomes impersonal , the only ones who can make decisions are ourselves.
It is common for the defenders of this revolution, at some point, to have adhered to a kind of paganism that defends everything that opposes the Christian faith: that there is an impersonal deity, which is not distinguished from the two creatures, a god that is diluted in the middle. Other beings; therefore, there is no distinction or hierarchy and therefore there are no borders. It is not always conscious, but the fact is that it is more than a set of ideas or behaviors; there is an anthropocentric spirituality that finds its justification in pagan religions. In the fight against contemporary sexuality, we face not only another idea or behavior, but another religion. Under the guise of freedom and tolerance is paganism.
And now? This has two practical implications. The first, on a more individual level: the health of our sex life is directly related to our spiritual life and our relationship with God. The second, on a more collective level: we cannot ignore the spiritual weapons God provides for this battle. We often live a very introspective Christianity, dedicated to devotion and not to a life of service to God in the world, but it can be dangerous if we do not understand the nature of battle. Is it the only intellectual battle?If we answer yes, we will already be defeated, because the battle is spiritual and, in spiritual battles, the only effective weapon is that offered by God.