Sex in heaven?

[JamesWesley]

I've often heard that once Christians reach Heaven they will recieve a new body as well as everlasting life. The same Christians say that they will no longer have need for sex for they will live forever.





No sex in heaven? If Heaven is supposed to be a paradise, wouldn't there be sex, the thing which the majority of us enjoy in our life?


Is there sex in heaven? I hope to God there is.

[slashreborn06]

Maybe there will be something better than sex.[/quote]

Better than sex? what? i think if there was anything better than sex God would not have missed mentioning. Plus as it is stated previously, it is not mentioned in the Bible as there is no sex in heaven. may be there is sex just for pleasure not for reproduction.[/quote]

I hafta say, I find it very hard to believe that there is sex in heaven. We have already established that according to scripture, there is no marraige in heaven. The only way I could possibly see sex existing in heaven is if marraige exsited in heaven. Sex outside of marraige is a sin. I can't see how this would change in heaven. That's like saying when we get to heaven lying won't be a sin. Here's the thing. It won't even be an issue because there will be no lying in heaven. I find it very hard to believe that God has set up heaven to be some giant orgie.

It's a difficult thing for us to understand. How can we be eternally happy without sex, more over without marriage. I think we can never truely grasp it, for heaven and the feeling of joy we will have their is so far from our understandings. It's like trying to explain quantum physics to a three year old.

[FinalEnigma]

So if there is no marriage in heaven then I gather that the marriage relationship between husband and wife is severed in the afterlife? My wife in heaven would be of no greater importance to me than Joe Shmidlap from Dimebox, Texas?

What about my relationship to my children? Is that also severed?

I have to say that this heaven place sounds rather unappealing. Am I just supposed to be content as a node in some huge group mind forever singing kumbaya?

would a man love his wife if he wasn't physically attracted to her?

That depends on the man. I have no idea what proportions, but I know some would, and some wouldn't.

i doubt there is any need for gender in the afterlife. that doesn't mean relationships are severed, it just means that they are freed from the robotic impulses that constrain them. like libido. sex doesn't "feel good" any more than this forum's network enjoys processing posts. it's just a program. one i'll be glad to be rid of.

are you saying that sex doesn't feel good now, or that it won't feel good in heaven? if you're saying it won't feel good in heaven, that would be annoying, because some things that feel good, really do feel pretty good.

if you're saying it doesn't feel good now...you're wrong. Nor would I consider it appropriate to describe libido as robotic impulses. There are a great number of variables that go into it - including higher functions.

sex is a part of human nature. Not just reproductively, but it is very good for us physically(which, of course, won't be relevant in heaven) emotionally(which may or may not) and mentally(which presumably will be relevant).

if, in heaven, sex was not good for us emotionally and mentally, then either 1) we need no such benefits, which would be a terrible idea, or 2) sex no longer provided such benefits, which...would sort of be viable if you had something else that did.

[FinalEnigma]

Maybe there will be something better than sex.

Better than sex? what? i think if there was anything better than sex God would not have missed mentioning. Plus as it is stated previously, it is not mentioned in the Bible as there is no sex in heaven. may be there is sex just for pleasure not for reproduction.

I hafta say, I find it very hard to believe that there is sex in heaven. We have already established that according to scripture, there is no marraige in heaven. The only way I could possibly see sex existing in heaven is if marraige exsited in heaven. Sex outside of marraige is a sin. I can't see how this would change in heaven. That's like saying when we get to heaven lying won't be a sin. Here's the thing. It won't even be an issue because there will be no lying in heaven. I find it very hard to believe that God has set up heaven to be some giant orgie.

It's a difficult thing for us to understand. How can we be eternally happy without sex, more over without marriage. I think we can never truely grasp it, for heaven and the feeling of joy we will have their is so far from our understandings. It's like trying to explain quantum physics to a three year old.

That's the problem I mentioned earlier. Man has dreamed up this mysterious heaven that will be so much better than earth, but every time he tries to describe it, it's worse than earth.

possibilities:

there's no pain.
this would be bad. pain and struggle, in appropriate measure, induces growth.

there's no sex, or food(cause things die when you eat something), etc. because we won't need it.
this isn't viable, unless in heaven, God pushes a button every morning that gives up happy feelings to last us the day. this would be moronic.

its like an endless vacation. you don't have to work, there's no business calls, etc.
this would be bad. we need stimulation and challenges to induce growth, and to keep us happy.

40 virgins.
This is senseless. will God conjure them from the ether as robotic sex slaves with no free will?

it just doesn't work. virtually any change you make would have negative results, or would violate the christian worldview (preventing things like torture/rape/murder would be great, but if God can do it in heaven without violating free will, there no reason not to do it on earth.)



I've thought about the idea of heaven. You know what heaven would be like for me?
I'd live in a big house in the mountains, with a huge library that I would construct myself(I DON'T want the library to just be there already. I want to collect the books myself). My beloved would live there with me(she'd love the place, too (not becasue its heaven, but because she would like such a place as I describe)).

There would be all kinds of wildlife in these mountains. birds, mice, mountain lions, etc, and there would be hot summers, and cold and snowy winters.

there would be a big place I could go to learn about things that interest me(I don't want to magically know. I want to learn it), and to socialize.
I'd have a nice computer room in my house, where I can play games now and then, and code games when I get the urge.
I'd have a cozy study, with some select books from my library and a desk, where I could sit and write and explore where that takes me.

My beloved and I would be in good health, but I don't want that magically handed to me either(well, we wouldn't get debilitating long term illnesses like cancer or something). I want to be able to hike, and run, and climb the mountains, and I want to be able to eat well(healthily I mean), and sleep well, and I'd wake up on lazy morning, stretch, and watch the sun rise.

There would be projects I could do, to help people or to help nature, because I love to do those things.

There would be challenges for me to face, to struggle against, and to overcome, because that's a part of who people are, and its important to me to have challenges.



Ya know, I just described a possible house in Montana. Here on earth.

I challenge anyone to present me a concept of heaven that is better than this house in Montana.

It doesn't work. Humans are evolved for earth, not some strange heaven that is so bizarre and alien we cannot even conceive of it.

[ConiectoErgoSum]

sex is a part of human nature. Not just reproductively, but it is very good for us physically

I believe that God has given us choices. sex is not one of them. (come to think of it, we don't really exercise our choices all that often; we'd rather assume that we have none or contrarily that everything is a choice.)

the reason it feels good is because it's programmed to feel good (by God or by nature... either way works). that good feeling you get is a bodily function that makes you keep doing it. good for you physically? only if you mean by satisfying your reproductive instinct. marriage? all part of the process.

libido is why women are anorexic, why men get infatuated, why people dump time and energy into their outward appearance... and i'd venture to say it's the direct or indirect cause of most of the world's depression. but the catch is that we couldn't reproduce without it. two words: necessary evil. relationships would be so much better off without it.

and hey, maybe there's some redemption in the fact that every so often some lust-driven couple actually winds up loving each other. there's lasting value in love-- but just cause you're married or having sex doesn't mean you love each other.

[FinalEnigma]

sex is a part of human nature. Not just reproductively, but it is very good for us physically

I believe that God has given us choices. sex is not one of them. (come to think of it, we don't really exercise our choices all that often; we'd rather assume that we have none or contrarily that everything is a choice.)

the reason it feels good is because it's programmed to feel good (by God or by nature... either way works). that good feeling you get is a bodily function that makes you keep doing it. good for you physically? only if you mean by satisfying your reproductive instinct. marriage? all part of the process.

physical benefits of sex
1) relieves stress and lowers blood preassure
2) boosts immune system
3) burns calories
4) improves cardiovascular health
5) reduces pain
6) reduces prostate cancer risk
7) minimizes the risk of incontinence later in life
8) improves sleep
9) etc.


there's a LOT of health benefits to sex.

you also have not addressed mental/emotional benefits.

libido is why women are anorexic

No, women are anorexic becasue they have an unhealthy body image. Do you think children become anorexic for sex?

, why men get infatuated,

I won't comment on infatuation, but I'll say this - love is awesome. love evolved to promote sex. without the need for sex, we wouldn't have love.

why people dump time and energy into their outward appearance...

No, that's ego. They dump time and energy into their appearence to please themself or others. its necessary for mating, but mating is not the only reason.

and i'd venture to say it's the direct or indirect cause of most of the world's depression.

This is simply absurd. for a good portion of people with depression, its due to genetic predispositions, or a simple chemical imbalance in the brain, and not even environmental(related to their life).
For many others(me for example), it was becasue of loneliness. not anything related to sex - my depression started when I was perhaps ten. I'd call loneliness a cause of more of the worlds depression than sex(in the elderly, loneliness is frequently a cause in depression). in teenagers, the other most depressed group(other than the elderly I mean) the cause is frequently social stigmatization, bullying, etc. not sex.

and hey, maybe there's some redemption in the fact that every so often some lust-driven couple actually winds up loving each other. there's lasting value in love-- but just cause you're married or having sex doesn't mean you love each other.

No, you're right. Some people just have sex because it feels good. Would depriving us of it make us feel better? I've known love and I've known lust - neither one hurt me.

[Metatron]

Maybe there will be something better than sex.

Better than sex? what? i think if there was anything better than sex God would not have missed mentioning. Plus as it is stated previously, it is not mentioned in the Bible as there is no sex in heaven. may be there is sex just for pleasure not for reproduction.

I hafta say, I find it very hard to believe that there is sex in heaven. We have already established that according to scripture, there is no marraige in heaven. The only way I could possibly see sex existing in heaven is if marraige exsited in heaven. Sex outside of marraige is a sin. I can't see how this would change in heaven. That's like saying when we get to heaven lying won't be a sin. Here's the thing. It won't even be an issue because there will be no lying in heaven. I find it very hard to believe that God has set up heaven to be some giant orgie.

It's a difficult thing for us to understand. How can we be eternally happy without sex, more over without marriage. I think we can never truely grasp it, for heaven and the feeling of joy we will have their is so far from our understandings. It's like trying to explain quantum physics to a three year old.

That's the problem I mentioned earlier. Man has dreamed up this mysterious heaven that will be so much better than earth, but every time he tries to describe it, it's worse than earth.

possibilities:

there's no pain.
this would be bad. pain and struggle, in appropriate measure, induces growth.

there's no sex, or food(cause things die when you eat something), etc. because we won't need it.
this isn't viable, unless in heaven, God pushes a button every morning that gives up happy feelings to last us the day. this would be moronic.

its like an endless vacation. you don't have to work, there's no business calls, etc.
this would be bad. we need stimulation and challenges to induce growth, and to keep us happy.

40 virgins.
This is senseless. will God conjure them from the ether as robotic sex slaves with no free will?

it just doesn't work. virtually any change you make would have negative results, or would violate the christian worldview (preventing things like torture/rape/murder would be great, but if God can do it in heaven without violating free will, there no reason not to do it on earth.)



I've thought about the idea of heaven. You know what heaven would be like for me?
I'd live in a big house in the mountains, with a huge library that I would construct myself(I DON'T want the library to just be there already. I want to collect the books myself). My beloved would live there with me(she'd love the place, too (not becasue its heaven, but because she would like such a place as I describe)).

There would be all kinds of wildlife in these mountains. birds, mice, mountain lions, etc, and there would be hot summers, and cold and snowy winters.

there would be a big place I could go to learn about things that interest me(I don't want to magically know. I want to learn it), and to socialize.
I'd have a nice computer room in my house, where I can play games now and then, and code games when I get the urge.
I'd have a cozy study, with some select books from my library and a desk, where I could sit and write and explore where that takes me.

My beloved and I would be in good health, but I don't want that magically handed to me either(well, we wouldn't get debilitating long term illnesses like cancer or something). I want to be able to hike, and run, and climb the mountains, and I want to be able to eat well(healthily I mean), and sleep well, and I'd wake up on lazy morning, stretch, and watch the sun rise.

There would be projects I could do, to help people or to help nature, because I love to do those things.

There would be challenges for me to face, to struggle against, and to overcome, because that's a part of who people are, and its important to me to have challenges.



Ya know, I just described a possible house in Montana. Here on earth.

I challenge anyone to present me a concept of heaven that is better than this house in Montana.

It doesn't work. Humans are evolved for earth, not some strange heaven that is so bizarre and alien we cannot even conceive of it.

I concur. While the particulars might vary because we are different people, my idea of heaven would simply be a really pleasant version of Earth where I can enjoy the company of my family and friends, face productive but ultimately achievable challenges and learning experiences, and generally enjoy life.

Most conceptions of heaven that I have heard of from Christians make it sound like we will all be will-less drones pumped up on happy juice eternally praising God with no challenges, no personal ties, and nothing new to learn or create. Sounds like a variation of Hell to me.

[Slopeshoulder]

The only heaven I can speak of is the heaven that starts within and begins (or ends?) right here: an experience of the divine, sacred, or sublime. And in that heaven, sex happens and may even be the best example of heaven.

[ChaosBorders]

Most conceptions of heaven that I have heard of from Christians make it sound like we will all be will-less drones pumped up on happy juice eternally praising God with no challenges, no personal ties, and nothing new to learn or create. Sounds like a variation of Hell to me.

That is certainly what I used to think. Quite strongly. But I had something of a paradigm shift when I realized that, if I were in heaven, I simply wouldn't care about that in the same way that if there were no afterlife at all I wouldn't care because I wouldn't exist. If the idea of no longer existing at all didn't bother me, why should it bother me so much that I would no longer think the same way if I did?

[Metatron]

Most conceptions of heaven that I have heard of from Christians make it sound like we will all be will-less drones pumped up on happy juice eternally praising God with no challenges, no personal ties, and nothing new to learn or create. Sounds like a variation of Hell to me.

That is certainly what I used to think. Quite strongly. But I had something of a paradigm shift when I realized that, if I were in heaven, I simply wouldn't care about that in the same way that if there were no afterlife at all I wouldn't care because I wouldn't exist. If the idea of no longer existing at all didn't bother me, why should it bother me so much that I would no longer think the same way if I did?

I'm not certain that I understand what you are saying here. If you are under the impression that because I don't believe in an afterlife that the idea of not existing any longer does not bother me, I'll be happy to correct that notion. I'd much prefer the sort of meaningful afterlife that FinalEnigma espoused earlier over extinction. The will-less drone scenario, on the other hand, has no more value to me than extinction though I suppose it still beats the fire and brimstone torture chamber of Christian Hell.

[ChaosBorders]

Most conceptions of heaven that I have heard of from Christians make it sound like we will all be will-less drones pumped up on happy juice eternally praising God with no challenges, no personal ties, and nothing new to learn or create. Sounds like a variation of Hell to me.

That is certainly what I used to think. Quite strongly. But I had something of a paradigm shift when I realized that, if I were in heaven, I simply wouldn't care about that in the same way that if there were no afterlife at all I wouldn't care because I wouldn't exist. If the idea of no longer existing at all didn't bother me, why should it bother me so much that I would no longer think the same way if I did?

I'm not certain that I understand what you are saying here. If you are under the impression that because I don't believe in an afterlife that the idea of not existing any longer does not bother me, I'll be happy to correct that notion. I'd much prefer the sort of meaningful afterlife that FinalEnigma espoused earlier over extinction. The will-less drone scenario, on the other hand, has no more value to me than extinction though I suppose it still beats the fire and brimstone torture chamber of Christian Hell.

Oh, no, I was stating my own experience regarding the idea. I was rather skeptical of the notion of Heaven from a very young age, but when I was six or seven the idea of ceasing to exist scared me. Then I realized if I didn't exist, I wouldn't care that I didn't exist, so the idea of death stopped bothering me any. For quite awhile the idea of the will-less drone scenario was even worse to me than the idea of total non-existence, until I started thinking of it in about the same terms, and that too ceased to bother me.