We explore religious lenses on sexuality and pleasure. From giving ourselves permission to feel pleasurable to the fierce and genderless expression of sexuality, your body is a precious gift.

Your body is asking permission to be a body and to be appreciated and loved in various expressions.

We talk about the Bible and what the Catholic Church says about pleasure and sexuality. We also dive into Catholicism and vulnerabilities with sexual shame and the reminder that sexuality is also viewed as an expression of unity and love in the Catholic Church. We also broadened this conversation to include other faith-based practices and what their perspectives are on sexuality.

Dr. Mark Levand is a sexuality educator and researcher with degrees in Catholic theology. As part of his work, Dr. Levand teaches about theology, culture, and sexuality at Villanova University and he trains future sexuality educators at the Center for Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University and in the Sexual Health Certificate Program at the University of Michigan.

Connect with Dr. Levand at Marklevand.com and LevandConsulting@gmail.com

Resource sharing discussed in the show:

Books:

• Margaret Farley Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics

• Christine Gudorf Body, Sex, and Pleasure: Reconstructing Christian Sexual Ethics

• Tina Schermer Sellers Sex, God, and the Conservative Church: Erasing Shame from Sexual Intimacy

• Christian Objections to Same Sex Relationships: An Academic Assessment

Websites:

• LGBTQI Catholic resources

• New Ways Ministry https://www.newwaysministry.org/

This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding treatment, medications/supplements, or any medical diagnoses. This information is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way to substitute the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.