Sexuality of Jesus
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The New Testament does not explicitly indicate that Jesus had any sexual relationships. Many Christians believe that he remained celibate until his death. Throughout history, however, there have been those who have argued or suggested that there may be more to be said about Jesus' sexuality; some have argued that Jesus lived as a eunuch, and others on the contrary have argued that he had a sexual relationship. The details of these theories often vary widely.
In fiction, art, and imagination
The poem "The Love that Dares to Speak its Name" suggests that Jesus had several sexual encounters, including with Pontius Pilate, and contains a graphic description of Jesus' sexual encounter with a Roman soldier; Christian opposition to the poem's suggestions resulted in the Whitehouse v. Lemon court case, a famous blasphemous libel trial. The sadomasochistic undertones of the crucifixion have often been commented upon, and occasionally portrayed explicitly in modern art; for satirical reasons, this was depicted in the controversial Jesus with erection poster, a concept which has also been depicted for serious reasons in sculpture by Terence Koh, though both works were denounced by many Christians as being provocatively offensive.
Some Christians, however, believe that if Jesus was wholly human, he must have been a sexual being. The Children of God Christian cult actively promotes the view that a sexual relationship with Jesus would be desirable, encouraging devotees to imagine during sexual activity that it is Jesus who is having sex with them, and equate prophecy with Jesus' ejaculation. Historic Christian figures have also been accused of similar thoughts. Teresa of Avila's description of her most famous vision has been interpreted by secular writers, such as Dan Brown, as a metaphor for some serious sex; the view of Teresa having a sexual relationship with Jesus, in her visions, is exemplified by the poster art for Theresa: The Body of Christ, a 2007 film by Ray Loriga.
See also
- Nudus nudum Christum sequi
- Man of Sorrows (Maarten van Heemskerck)
- The Sexuality of Christ in Renaissance Art and Modern Oblivion
- Cultural and historical background of Jesus
- Blessed Virgin Mary
- Immaculate conception
- Historical Jesus
- Religion and sexuality
- Biblical eroticism
