The deeper meaning of sex is the unification, or oneness thatresults from sex in marriage, the founder of The MarriageInstitute, said Tuesday.
Timothy Alan Gardner's presentaion, "Why Sex?" was based on astudy that he did about why people, who were otherwise perfectlyhealthy, had a "take or leave it attitude toward sex. "
There have been four generations of attitudes toward sex withinthe church, he said.
The first generation of attitudes believed that sex was not forpleasure, it was meant only for procreation, he said.
The second generation thought sex could result in pleasure, butit was not something that should be openly discussed, Gardnersaid.
The third generation, starting around 1973, thought that sex wasfor pleasure and everyone should learn as much as they could aboutsex and how to gain pleasure from sex. This idea was acceptedwithin the church as well as in the secular world, Gardnersaid.
The fourth generation has gone to the idea that sex is a sacredand holy event that is has a deeper meaning, he said.
"Part of the fulfillment of sex in a relationship is thecomplete acceptance," Gardner said. "God designed the reaction andpleasurable aspects of sex, but there is much more than physicalpleasure."
Self-actualization, caring about someone else more than you careabout yourself, is one of the most important aspects of arelationship, Gardner said.
"Marriage, and the oneness that results from sex, was intendedby God to represent Christ's relationship with the church," Gardnersaid.
One of the largest challanges to married relationships ispornography, Gardner said.
"When a man turns to pornography, he is saying to his wife thatshe is not enough, " Gardner said. "It is the same as having anaffair to a woman."
A comparison for pornography is a man who is dying of thirst andlooking for salt. It does not make the situation improve in anyway, it only makes it worse, Gardner said.
An other challange that is partially based on men's use ofpornography is the objectification of women, Gardner said.
"We have created a breast worshiping culture," Gardner said. "Wehave made women into objects and allowed men to think that it is OKto go around with their eyes at breast level all day."
Each culture has defined what is both beautiful and sexy,Gardner said, though it is not always what God's purpose was.
"God created women and did not ask Adam what he wanted in apartner, he made Eve the way that he wanted to," Gardner said.
Groups of students from church groups, as well as students fromspeech classes came to hear Gardner speak.
Courtney Bartlett, a student in fundamentals of publiccommunication, said she agreed with Gardner's view that sex is aunifying act between a husband and wife.
"I was glad that he used humor to make a serious topic lessawkward while still relating the humor to his message," Bartlettsaid.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
