Sex - It's not Just for Procreation!

***Read 3rd paragraph before clicking link!***

A friend of mine posted this link to my wall this morning coupled with this question:

Do Catholics still/did they ever believe that sex is only for pro-creation?

Now before you go clicking that link, I'd like to warn some of my more sensitive readers that you will be taken to a site that prides itself on being hip, irreverent and sexually charged.  Of course, it's titled Jezebel.  So be warned that the article, though it deals with a valid question many people, like my above friend, ask, it handles religion is an extremely arrogant, ignorant manner which even I (someone not easily offended) offense to.  If you'd rather not click the link, keep reading for a basic summary.

The article she pointed me towards dealt with a growing trend in the adult entertainment business.  Adult toy makers are apparently attempting to draw in the more religious crowd with shops titled "Covenant Spice," "Kosher Sex Toys," and "El Asira."  These are not your typical "Adam and Eve" vendors.  They are all G-rated in content (no vixens in sexually suggestive poses, item names are scrubbed of sexually charged words, etc), each site de-sexualizes reviews (and packaging!), and most rely on religious commentary to set potential customers at ease.

I assume this led my friend to ask about that nagging stereotype she'd heard so many times about Catholics believing sex is only for creating children, not for creating pleasure.  As always, I thanked her for being one of the few to actually seek out clarification on this point, as it's something many Catholics are typically confused about.  Since sex is such a taboo subject, stereotypes abound because no one wants to open their mouths to clarify on account of the subject matter.

Anyway, my answer was this:

Sex is NOT only for procreation, though that is one of the main aspects of it. Sex, to Catholics, is a constant renewal of wedding vows (our wedding vows being to give ourselves to one another freely, totally, faithfully and fruitfully). Sex is the summation of those vows and a constant reminder that we sacrifice ourselves for one another, and if we sacrifice willingly for the happiness and pleasure of the other, good things happen to both of us - and to subsequent children.

Obviously this is as base an answer as possible, but hopefully it gets my point across.

As for vibrators, etc, typically the Church frowns upon those things as they can lead to masturbation (which harms healthy sexual functioning within a marriage) or a clouded view of sexual relations within a marriage itself.

HOWEVER, upon researching this particular question due to another friend of mine (like yourself) who posted something similar about a year ago, I learned that the Church does make allowances for things like this when used in a healthy way.

This link is one that I had come across in my research that I felt answered the question perfectly for me.  So I leave it for all of you as well, since this truly is something that has befuddled many Christians.  Sex really is OK to talk about in a mature and loving way.  :)

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