Special Issue on “Sexuality, Religion, and Spirituality”

Abstract

It is widely discussed in the sexuality studies literature that sexuality is a fundamental part of the human experience (World Association for Sexual Health, 2014; World Health Organization, 2015). Religion, spirituality, and faith are components that many scholars including health researchers, also identify as integral to the human experience (Norcross & Wampold, 2011; Sulmasy, 2002). Researchers have noted in recent years that mental health clinicians should be better prepared to address clients’ religious/spiritual needs (Marterella & Brock, 2008; Vieten et al., 2013; Williams-Reade et al., 2019; Xu, 2016). This special issue of the journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy is intended to help address this client need, contributing to the literature at the intersection of sexuality, therapy, faith, religion, and spirituality. While spirituality, faith, and/or religion can be seen as helpful factors in a person’s life, they may also generate additional struggles (Dollahite et al., 2018). The articles in this issue address the intersection of sexuality and religion/spirituality in a number of ways. Authors examine various religion-based harms (i.e., sexual shame) and their effects on individuals, families, and communities. Many of these articles also address the good religion, faith, or spirituality can bring to someone’s life and how to work with this as a powerful ally in therapy. Some of the pieces contained in this issue are commentaries about the possible beneficial or harmful intersections of these topics. This issue also contains research articles discussing client needs and the potentially useful strategies for working around concepts at the intersection of sexuality and religion. These articles more clearly identify phenomena at the intersection of religion and sexuality, and sometimes clarify religious concepts or rituals largely misunderstood by non-practitioners of that religion. As a different type of article from those mentioned above, readers will find within this issue reflections on spiritual practices that may be useful in the therapeutic process. Reframing religious concepts and offering useful reflective practices can offer readers possible avenues and new tools when working with a client’s religion, faith, or spirituality. While these articles do directly address the intersection of sexuality and religion/ spirituality, readers should be aware of the limits of their usefulness. The information contained within these manuscripts can be meaningful for individuals or even groups of people, but readers should be cautious not to overgeneralize. A person’s spiritual or religious practice may be the same as others in their community, but there may be great variability and profound uniqueness in how people practice their faith, believe various teachings, or live out their religious commitment, even within a