Sex and sexuality in Islam

This is an interesting article, although from a rather bias source (islam-watch). Most of the points it makes are factual, but are interpreted in a negative light. It is worth a read, as long as you take it with a grain of salt.

Handling of sex by a society reflects its level and maturity. At times Islamic aspect of human sexuality overlaps with" Status of Women," but the two are not the same. Compared to other social/religious systems of the world, Islam gives sex and sexual "purity" an extraordinary importance with inherent contradictions/conflicts so much so that we may safely say that Islam is over-obsessed, oversensitive and over-apprehensive about sex.

This essay is an attempt to expose the hypocrisy, double standard, unfairness, absurdity and sheer irrationality of Islam when it comes to sex. It also examines the barbaric rules that Islam inflicts on innocent people for having a simple sexually satisfying relationship whether one is married or not that Islam unjustly and illogically construes as 'haram.' One must not forget however how crucial sex is in our life. In the first place, without sex, none of us will be in this world for sure. Darwinian evolution would have stopped eons ago! So think about it for a moment.

source: here and here

Dubai - Sex on the beach might end in prison

Two Brits are facing up to six years in prison after having sex on a beach in Dubai. As expected, the story also involves large amounts of alcohol. I guess the real problem is the weather... Dubai in July... you can really lose your mind.

source: daily-mail, timesonline

Study shows that involuntary celibacy can lead to anger and depression

Certainly, some persons are celibate because they have chosen this lifestyle for religious or personal reasons. Others, however, would like to have sex but lack a willing sexual partner. For them, celibacy is not a choice. Since involuntary celibacy is a relatively new area of inquiry within the field of sex research, few studies have dealt with the dimensions, etiology, and consequences of this phenomenon.

...

Regardless of celibacy status, however, our respondents overwhelmingly perceived their lack of sexual activity in a negative light. In all likelihood, the relationship between involuntary celibacy and unhappiness, anger, and depression is a reciprocal one. Involuntary celibacy can certainly contribute to negative feelings, but these negative feelings probably also cause persons to feel less self-confident and to be less open to sexual opportunities when they occur. In fact, the longer the duration of the celibacy, the more likely our respondents were to view it as a permanent way of life. Virginal celibates tended to see their condition as temporary for the most part, but the older they were, the more likely they were to see it as permanent.

A quote from the study:

It makes me feel like everyone else is going through some mythical gates into "grownup land" while I sit out in the courtyard with the children. So it makes me feel resentful sometimes and I feel childish and inadequate at times.

There is a dissertation to be written on extending the conclusions of this study from the personal level to the level of whole societies. The involuntary celibacy of teenagers in a traditional society is an interesting phenomenon. Its connection to the overall violence levels in these societies is an interesting avenue for future research.

It is interesting to note that the existence of prostitution in these societies does not provide a real outlet for the frustrated celibate teenagers. To quote from the study:

My lack of any sex has had some very serious effects upon me. Obviously, I could get a prostitute any time, but I haven't done that. It would be no different than glorified masturbation. It is the fact that no woman has ever wanted to be sexual with me (and as far as I can tell, even considered sex with me) that I find so painful.

link to the article

Shameless!

Recently, I found the following message in my mailbox

Al salamu Alikum,

May Allah the most grateful and the most merciful be with you, I write
this letter with utmost concern for our Muslim values and the
teachings of the Holy Koran to uplift and defend our religion at all
times. I am motivated to write this letter to you after much
consideration and with total submission to the will of Allah the most
grateful and most merciful.

I am Hajia Jemila Mohammed, the wife of Dr. Abdul Mohammed who was the
patron of Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) till he became ill and
died of cancer on 13th Feb 2005. Until his death we are a devoted
Muslim family with the fear of Allah in every thing we do knowing that
our reward is not on earth but with Allah. Our marriage was not
blessed with any child despite our 30 years of marriage. I have only
my husband's brothers who became unbelieving converts because of the
pressure on Muslims after July 2005 bombings in U.K. They have
abandoned the Muslim faith with the teaching of Islam and have turned
their lives into waywardness...

Now, I've seen some Nigerian Scam emails before, but this one seems to be specifically targeting Muslims, and using the Holy Koran as part of the scheming message. Inshallah, they will get the punishment that they deserve.

Nine face stoning death in Iran

The group, convicted of adultery and sex offences, could be executed at any time, lawyers defending them say.

The lawyers have called on the head of Iran's judiciary to prevent the sentences from being carried out.

The last officially reported stoning in Iran last year drew strong criticism from human rights groups and the European Union.

The eight women sentenced, whose ages range from 27 to 43, had convictions including prostitution, incest and adultery, Reuters news agency reported.

The man, a 50-year-old music teacher, was convicted of illegal sex with a student, reports said.

more...

source image source

Muslim Personals

They sure don't make it easy to pick the girl of my dreams... reminded me of this.