I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (you may have heard people refer to it as the Mormon church, but we would like to keep the name Jesus Christ in the title when refering to it). My religion is very family-oriented, and it very much encourages dating and marriage. However, while the people of the church can be judgmental, I have never felt like the teachings of the Church in any way exclude or condemn me for being aromantic. I know that God made me the way I am, and his plan for me just doesn't include romance. The Lord has spoken to me a lot through prayer and revelation about my ability to influence friends and roommates and family, etc. and to strengthen relationships with them. He has not told me to date or get married, and I think his plan for me takes into account the fact that I'm aro. The best way I can influence the world is through platonic love, familial love, and Christ's love.
I'm also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--albeit a bit less active of a member at the moment. I agree that the doctrine taught in the church is very inclusive and loving, but I find it difficult to continue interacting with other members of the faith (hence, I don't attend church often anymore). I think I begin to feel a bit alienated and almost guilty because I'm aro but not ace. Romantic love and sexual love are divine by the Latter-day Saint doctrine. Do I get married to someone I am sexually but not romantically attracted to, some imaginary figure I have taken to calling my "monogamous sexual partner," which may be making a mockery of marital relationships? Or do I continue in a voluntary vow of celibacy until some promised day when I might be granted to gift of feeling romantic love? Which is more important? Sexual love or romantic love? In the church, it seems like romantic love takes precedence.
I wonder, too, if similar dilemmas exist for those of different faiths?
Aromanticism and Religion
in Intersectionality
Posted
I'm also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--albeit a bit less active of a member at the moment. I agree that the doctrine taught in the church is very inclusive and loving, but I find it difficult to continue interacting with other members of the faith (hence, I don't attend church often anymore). I think I begin to feel a bit alienated and almost guilty because I'm aro but not ace. Romantic love and sexual love are divine by the Latter-day Saint doctrine. Do I get married to someone I am sexually but not romantically attracted to, some imaginary figure I have taken to calling my "monogamous sexual partner," which may be making a mockery of marital relationships? Or do I continue in a voluntary vow of celibacy until some promised day when I might be granted to gift of feeling romantic love? Which is more important? Sexual love or romantic love? In the church, it seems like romantic love takes precedence.
I wonder, too, if similar dilemmas exist for those of different faiths?