Can Christians have anal sex in marriage?

rocknrollchuck · 2023-05-22T15:04:04+00:00

In the context of heterosexual marriage, the scripture may seem less specific about whether anal sex is acceptable behavior for God's followers. There are, however, basic principles in scripture that will help us answer the question. Here are some points to consider:

Anal sex uses body parts in way contrary to their designed purposes (i.e. perversion): The anus and rectum are specifically designed for expelling waste from the body. The tissue in those areas is designed for things passing out of the body, not vice versa. Also, since there is no natural lubrication in the anus or rectum, intercourse can cause fissures in the wall of the rectum, leading to infections. Additionally, the urethra in the penis can become infected from exposure to the bacteria in the anus and rectum.

The vagina contains tissue that is designed for both penetration (during sex) and expulsion (birth or menstrual cycle). The nerve endings in the clitoris, vagina and surrounding tissue provide a perfect match for the male sexual design. When the "conventional" sex position (face to face) is used, the man and woman are positioned for the ideal amount of stimulation for both partners to experience orgasms simultaneously. Alternate sexual positions may provide more enhanced stimulation for one partner or the other, but may lessen the potential for both people having simultaneous orgasms.

Anal sex gives lust a foothold: The sex industry goes to great lengths to promote the idea that anal sex is a natural and exciting way to express love. The truth is that anal sex is based on lust, not love. Tolerating lust in our lives will slow down our transformation into the "new man," and give the devil potential footholds for other forms of evil in us.

Lust works contrary to love in every way - it is selfish and only cares about gratifying its desires. When we follow lust's impulses, we open the door to other forms of evil which can corrupt our minds and lead us further away from God. An example of what can happen when people follow lust is found in Romans 1:20-32:

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

As the people in this example pursued lust, they ultimately were being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness" (29). In the same way, if we give lust a home in our life, we're basically opening up the door to other kinds of evil to fill our lives.

Unfortunately, pornography has helped inspire many people to crave sex acts that they might not normally desire. Under the guise of keeping the marriage sex life exciting, many couples succumb to "lust-based" sex (instead of "love-based" sex) by experimenting with things like anal sex. For example, a husband who pursues anal sex against his wife's wishes is being motivated by lust, not love. Furthermore, by having anal sex, he is putting his wife at higher risk of contracting various infections. His wife may agree to participate, but most likely only to appease her husband. When this happens, sex becomes more of a spectacle for the husband's gratification than a mutually-enjoyable, loving experience. As love is removed from the relationship, sex will likely require greater levels of the extreme to produce gratification.

Because of the potential tissue damage arising from anal penetration, the sphincter muscle in the anus can lose its elasticity and can no longer close.

Some Christians may not be concerned about these things, and may hold that marriage gives a husband and wife permission to do whatever they want with each other's bodies. If that's your rationale, I then urge you to consider Paul's "beneficial test" found in 1 Corinthians 6:12-13:

" All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body."

We can ask ourselves, "Is anal sex going to benefit me, my spouse and our relationship with God, or will it harm or hinder us?" If it is going to harm or hinder in any way, then we would be wise not to practice it.

Fristson · 2023-05-22T03:32:29+00:00

I thought this was considered a perversion? Because it’s not meant for that I believe medically it may cause damage.

NoFaithInThisSub · 2023-05-30T07:31:13+00:00

I am going to paint a different perspective for arguments sake (one I heard and have pondered for years now)

If oral and hand jobs, fingers etc are okay, then you should lean on saying anal is also fine, because none of all the mentioned produce life (children), yet some are okay, some are not. Why is that.

If you go strictly on saying it is all sodomoy (the only sex gay people can engage in) then sex allowed should only be normal and nothing else.

I do not really hold to these views but when I heard them I have pondered since.

matusaleeem · 2023-05-22T07:49:44+00:00

If you engage in anal sex in marriage, you are treating your wife as a sex doll, hurting her sphincter just for sake of your lust.

Aren't we supposed to take care of the body of our spouse as our own?

verticalquandry · 2023-05-22T02:45:23+00:00

What does the Bible say about sodomy or do to sodomists

johnduster · 2023-06-08T04:55:36+00:00

I'm not sure what you guys thinking about wife spanking, but I would put it somewhere along those lines. Sometimes my wives need more firm discipline and the pain and submission of anal often makes everyone happy. Dry and a little rough leaves them with a happy reminder daddy is the boss.

Title	Can Christians have anal sex in marriage?
Author	FaithUnchained
Upvotes	1
Comments	23
Date	May 22, 2023 2:42 AM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/RPChristians
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/RPChristians/comments/13oe51b/can_christians_have_anal_sex_in_marriage/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/RPChristians/can-christians-have-anal-sex-in-marriage.1219958 https://theredarchive.com/post/1219958

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