CHESTER (CONVERSEER) – A University of Chester academic has provided expert insight in a TV documentary series which dedicated an episode to discussing sex and relationships in the context of religions.
Dr Dawn Llewellyn, Associate Professor of Religion and Gender, features in a new episode of the BBC News series Sex After…, in the episode titled Sex After…Religion. Several reality TV stars and content creators from different faiths discuss what effect religion has had on their personal lives, and how they have been able to adapt.
Participants in the programme included The Only Way is Essex’s Junaid Ahmed, who was disowned by his Muslim family when he came out as gay aged 18; Married at First Sight’s Sacha Jones, who was baptised as a Christian last year after her relationship from that programme broke down, and has since vowed to remain abstinent; and Martin Riley (known as Riley), whose 20-year marriage ended shortly before he was expelled as a Jehovah’s Witness and who has since found a new partner.
Also taking part were interfaith couple Nav Sangha, who is Sikh, and Adarsh Ramchurn, who is Hindu, with the pair speaking how their relationship was “frowned upon” by some in their communities and online.
During the programme, Dawn offered her expertise on the diverse religious culture in the UK, how people identify themselves in ways that mean they can maintain their religious faith, and the challenges that come if someone chooses to leave faith behind.
Dawn added: “Religions all are obsessed with sex…because it’s always trying to sanction it or limit it, or find ways of talking about it. But at the same time…it’s really difficult for religious people to talk about their sexual practices, their desires, what they want, and how and when they do it; so there’s a really odd paradox.”
Speaking about the programme, Dawn said: “The participants were very honest about the joys and challenges that result from the complex relationship between faith identities, practices, communities and love, sex, and intimacy.
“One of the exciting things about teaching and researching contemporary religion is examining how it – and spirituality and non-religion – is crucial for understanding how people live their everyday lives and how they make decisions about the things that matter the most – like sex.”
The programme can be found with all other episodes in the Sex After… series on the BBC iPlayer.
