Let’s talk sexuality and religion: Asexuality and aromanticism

Many people grow up knowing that feeling romantic attraction and wanting sex is normal. Everyone wants to lose their virginity, have a wonderful partner and generally live their lives in sexual bliss. However, this dream isn’t shared by everyone.

Human sexuality is a very complicated matter. Most individuals see the spectrum as being straight, gay and bisexual. While there are many sexualities, one is often ignored: asexuality.

An asexual individual is someone who doesn’t experience sexual attraction. Now, this isn’t the only form of asexuality in the ace spectrum, but it’s the most basic definition. Asexuality is much more common than some would think.

Asexual people are individuals and experience relationships, attraction and arousal differently. Unlike a vow a celibacy, which is chosen, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who that person is. Just like those who experience sexual attraction and the challenges that come with it, asexuals experience a different set of challenges in their everyday life, too.

This part of the ace spectrum is based on sexual orientation. It is perfectly normal to experience sexual attraction. It is also perfectly normal not to experience sexual attraction.

Just like how not everyone experiences sexual attraction, there are some people who don’t experience romantic feelings. Such people identify as aromantic. This part of the ace spectrum is based on romantic orientation. A person’s sexual orientation is different from their romantic orientation.

Because aromantics don’t experience romantic attraction, they have no need to seek out romantic partners. This doesn’t mean they don’t feel love. Aromantics can experience platonic love. Platonic love is what you feel for your best friends, or a mother to a child.

This also doesn’t mean they don’t have relationships. Aromantics have the same ability to bond with another person, and, as such, form relationships–albeit platonic from their side. They may enjoy holding hands, going on dates, and all the couple-y things people do, but their feelings for the other person, or persons, will be platonic.

These are just two examples of the ace spectrum, which, itself, is very wide. I write this article to explore some of that spectrum and I hope this encourages readers to look further into the topic. I, also, hope this informs people not to believe something is wrong with a friend or themselves. Everyone deserves to feel how they feel and not be shamed for it.