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The Complexity of Sexuality

"Sexuality isn't complex. God made man and woman to be united as one. Sin makes sex complex."

This statement was directed toward me on the forum for "A Christian and An Atheist" Podcast. The author was a rather hard-nosed Christian, a characterization he would probably embrace. Here is a reprint of my refutation:

Interesting. Apparently you haven't examined the topic very thoroughly. Allow me a moment to briefly expound on the complexity of sexuality:

First there is gender:

Gender defined by our external genitalia
Gender defined by our internal genitalia (internal & external can be different.)
Chromosomal gender
Psychological gender identity (not necessarily in sync with any of the above)
Medically assigned gender (often performed on hermaphroditic infants and on adult transsexuals)

Then there are gender roles, which are dictated culturally. These can be rigidly enforced (e.g., Pakistani honor killings) or more flexible (e.g., raising an eyebrow at a female welder).

Then there is sexual orientation

Opposite sex attractions
Same sex attractions
Bisexual attractions

Then there is sexual behavior

Partner acquisition/dating/mating behavior
Sexual practices
- Masturbation
- Petting
- Oral-oral stimulation
- Oral-genital stimulation
- Anal stimulation
- External genital stimulation
- Internal genital stimulation
- Coitus
- Any variety of technological practices (e.g., toys, phone sex, Internet enhancements, etc.)
Sexual frequency
Number of partners/frequency of changing partners
Monogamy/non-monogamy
Kinks of limitless variety (most legal and ethical, some neither legal nor ethical)

Then there is the cultural presentation of sexuality through media (print, music, movies, theater) and cultural events (e.g., proms, weddings, etc.)

Then there are attitudes about all of these things

Individual attitude
Family attitude
Cultural attitude (both within the larger culture and within individual subcultures; e.g., a reproductive bias regarding sexuality)
Legal attitude (e.g., abortion)
Religious attitude

I have only scratched the surface. Sexuality is indeed one of the most complex elements of human functioning. It involves biology, psychology, sociology, communication, power, economics, secrecy, openness, law, politics, and religion. Is it any wonder that most of the radio airwaves are taken up by songs about sexuality, that sexuality has defined the religious debates in the US more than any other topic, or that we are so enamored with sexual scandal?

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