Introduction – “Sex, Lies & Religion”

Sex, Lies & Religion by Randy Elrod

All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including, not by limitation, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, photographic, photocopying, recording, and information storage and/or retrieval
systems, without the express written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in critical reviews. Information and permissions may be requested from recreatebooks@comcast.net

Introduction

One of the most romantic times of my life was spent on a deserted island off the coast of Georgia. Miraculously spared the effects of man, the island remains essentially as it was created – a déjà vu remembrance of Eden’s beauty. Narrow beams of sunlight pierce the dense canopy of virgin trees laced seductively with Spanish moss, illuminating motes of sand like dancing jewels.

A narrow road of sand over two hundred years old twists and turns through a vast primordial jungle, ending in miles of mountainous sand dunes that gleam pure white against a cerulean blue sky. Climbing the final dune, a sudden involuntary loss of breath occurs upon spying the untouched beach that stretches endlessly for miles in either direction. The undulating surf sparkles like diamonds.

My childhood sweetheart and wife of thirty years stood beside me. We dared not speak for fear of breaking the spell of this once-in-a-lifetime magical adventure together. Suddenly, like uninhibited children, we half-slid, half-ran down the dune, doffing shoes and clothes as we raced gleefully to the emerald water, romping and splashing for hours. As we played, feral horses grazed nearby and even a solitary alligator quietly roamed the beach. It was a thoroughly wild, surreal and originary experience.

Later as we walked the beach, naked and unashamed, we realized this must have been what Adam and Eve felt as they explored the delights of a new world together – lovers created just as God intended. We succumbed to the experience and laid a very modern towel on the soft, warm beach and in the bright sunlight of a perfect day, gently and lovingly began to act more like the adults that we are.

For those of us from a religious background, it seems difficult, if not impossible, to view our experiences with God in sensual terms like the story just recounted. Unfortunately, religious lies have programmed the ability to embrace God as lover right out of our souls – and bodies.

So, the question I dare to pose is this: Have you ever had an experience with God that was so amazing that it exceeded your wildest and most fulfilling sexual moment? If the answer is no, you are not alone. Out of the hundreds of people I have asked this question, only one has said yes.

It is my hope in Sex, Lies, and Religion to offer a careful and thoughtful approach and application of scripture that will provide you with the opportunity to experience profound intimacy with a seemingly untouchable and unseeable God. When we embrace these truths, we also discover God’s original plan for our sexuality.

When I escape to the privacy of a romantic place to make passionate love with my earthly lover, much as Solomon erotically describes in scripture’s Song of Songs, I somehow transcend time and space. Playful foreplay, soft whispers, and gentle caresses combine with candles, incense, and songs of love that lead to a gradual and then explosive climax. Time ceases to exist as this sexual experience provides opportunity for a total communion of both body and soul.

The next moments give way to what psychologists call the “afterglow.” Dr. J. Harold Ellens describes the afterglow as those few precious moments when, no matter how bad your financial situation, how stressful your family life, or what is going wrong in the world, for a few brief minutes all seems right with the world.

Now, compare that to what I recently experienced attending the Festival Eucharist of Easter Day at my local Episcopal Church. I escaped to the privacy of a sacred, and yes, romantic place. Soft music played, beginning a joyful “foreplay,” if you will, of poems, genuflections and soft whispers called prayers. Candles, incense, and songs of love enhanced the gradual, upward path to the celebration of Holy Communion.

Every moment of the liturgy led to a climax in which I received into my body and soul the bread and wine – the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Through the liturgy, I stepped into timelessness. A surreal, multi-sensual transcendence of time and space took place in this mystery called Communion.

During this ecstatic and climactic intercourse of body and soul, the lyrics and music of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy soared:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,

Opening to the Son above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

Drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day.

And the next moments were mysteriously reminiscent of the afterglow experienced after a sexual encounter with a lover.  All seemed right with the world.

Is it possible that there is a real parallel here, established by an invisible God to help us touch and see Him?

I believe that unlearning sexual lies makes it possible to enjoy guilt-free sexual pleasure, even as it allows you to experience God more deeply. I believe that understanding the beauty and sexual symbolism of Holy Communion and embracing sexual and spiritual redemption enables you to bring all of who you are both to the sexual and the spiritual experience. I challenge you to let Sacred Consummation deepen your passion and intimacy.

Life is a mystery,

everyone must stand alone.

I hear you call my name

And it feels like home.¹