Christianity and Morals by Edward Westermarck

IN an earlier chapter I have spoken of abstinence from sexual relationships as the most important form of Christian asceticism, of the high appreciation of virginity, of the obligatory celibacy of the clergy, and of the sinfulness attributed to concupiscence. While the gratification of it in marriage was condoned, all other forms of sexual intercourse were looked upon as mortal sins.

The horror of them found an echo in the secular legislation of the first Christian emperors. Panders were condemned to have molten lead poured down their throats. In the case of forcible seduction both the man and woman, if she consented to the act, were put to death. Even the innocent offspring of illicit intercourse were punished for their parents' sins with ignominy and loss of certain rights which belonged to other, more respectable, members of the Church and the State; some mediæval lawbooks treated them as almost rightless beings, on a par with robbers and thieves. Persons of different sex who were not united in wedlock were forbidden by the Church to kiss each other; nay, the sexual desire itself, though unaccompanied by any outward act, was regarded as sinful in the unmarried. Consequently, anything that would tend to arouse a feeling of sexual excitement or a temptation to lust was condemned. The Church prescribed punishment for the writing or reading of lascivious books, singing wanton songs, dancing suggestive dances, wearing improper clothing, bathing in mixed company, frequenting the theatre, or permitting suspected vigils or pernoctations of women in churches under pretence of devotion. In the standard of purity no difference of sex was recognised, the same obligations being imposed upon man and woman.