Exclusive File Lower Than The Angels A History Of Sex And Christianity
Ever wondered how Christianity, with its heavenly angels, got all tangled up with earthly desires? Buckle up, folks! We're diving into a wild ride through history, where we'll meet naughty nuns, horny hermits, and even a saint who was a bit too fond of his own hand. So, grab a snack, get comfy, and let's explore: Exclusive File: Lower Than The Angels - A History of Sex and Christianity.
Let's Start at the Very Beginning
Picture this: it's the early days of Christianity, around the 2nd century. The Church is just a baby, and it's got a lot to prove. So, it's all about purity, chastity, and saying no to those pesky bodily urges. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, even goes as far as saying, "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." Strong words, Paul!
But here's the thing, folks. Humans are humans, and even the most devout among us can't help but notice that Adam and Eve weren't the only ones who came equipped with certain... equipment. So, the Church had to find a way to deal with this whole sex thing.
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Meet the Desert Fathers: The Original Horny Hermits
Fast forward to the 3rd and 4th centuries. We're now in Egypt, and the desert is filled with hermits trying to live the holy life. These guys, known as the Desert Fathers, wrote some pretty steamy stuff. One of them, a guy named Evagrius Ponticus, even wrote about a demon called 'the noonday demon' that would pop up and make him think about sex. Sounds like a typical Tuesday to me!
But here's where it gets interesting. The Church didn't just tell these guys to knock it off. No, they embraced it! They said, "Hey, if you're having these thoughts, that's okay. Just don't act on them." And thus, the concept of 'thought sin' was born. It's like they invented the world's first guilt trip!
Nuns Gone Wild: The Medieval Mix-Up
Now, let's skip ahead a few hundred years to the Middle Ages. The Church is big business, and monasteries and convents are popping up all over the place. But guess what? Those cloistered walls didn't always keep the naughty thoughts at bay. In fact, some nuns were downright... naughty.
Take Heloise, for example. She was a 12th-century nun who had a bit of a thing for Peter Abelard. They wrote each other some seriously steamy love letters. And when Abelard got a bit too handsy, Heloise didn't exactly push him away. Talk about a scandal!
Saint Jerome: The Original 'Fapper' Saint
But wait, there's more! Remember Saint Jerome? You know, the guy who translated the Bible into Latin? Well, he had a bit of a problem. He was a bit too fond of... well, let's just say he had a bit of a 'self-love' issue. He even wrote about it in a letter to a friend, saying, "I am sometimes so inflamed by the heat of lust that I am on fire." Yikes!
But here's the kicker. The Church didn't cast him out. No, they made him a saint! I mean, talk about a get-out-of-jail-free card. I guess even saints have their... weaknesses.
The Church's Changing Tune: From 'Nope' to 'Maybe'
So, what happened to the Church's strict no-sex policy? Well, it evolved. By the Middle Ages, the Church was saying, "Okay, sex is fine, but only within marriage and only for procreation." And then, in the 1930s, the Church even went so far as to say that sex within marriage could be for 'mutual delight' too. Talk about a 180!
But here's the thing, folks. Even today, the Church's stance on sex is still a bit... complicated. And that's what makes it so darn interesting!
So, Why Should You Care?
Well, aside from the fact that this stuff is just plain fascinating, it's also a reminder that even the most revered institutions are made up of humans. Humans with desires, humans with flaws, humans with... urges. And that's okay!
So, the next time you find yourself daydreaming about something... inappropriate, remember the Desert Fathers. Remember Heloise and her steamy letters. Remember Saint Jerome and his... indiscretions. And then, have a good laugh. Because, folks, history is weird. And that's what makes it so darn fun!