SEXUAL VIOLENCE: FROM ABUSE (POWER) TO ‘SACRAMENT’ (HUMAN DIGNITY) TOWARDS THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE GENITALS IN A PASTORAL HERMENEUTICS

Abstract

CITATION: Louw, D. J. 2009. Sexual violence : from abuse (power) to "sacrament" (human dignity) : towards the sanctification of the genitals in a pastoral hermeneutics. Scriptura, 102:416-429, doi:10.7833/102-0-604.The original publication is available at http://scriptura.journals.ac.zaIt is argued that sexual violence and rape (the abuse of power) has its roots in an understanding of sex and sexuality derived from the spiritual notion of intimate love (healthy sexuality) and responsible human decision making. In the theological design of a pastoral anthropology it is of paramount importance to link our being human to an understanding of human dignity that is less linked to a substantial understanding and more towards a qualitative and relational understanding. In this regard a pneumatological approach in practical theology comes into play. In order to move from abuse to sacrament in a pastoral hermeneutics of sexuality, the challenge is to reframe the genitals, i.e. a paradigm switch away from a rubberised penis (tool) and a pharmaceutical vagina (instrument) to a ‘sanctified penis’ and a ‘sacramental vagina’.http://scriptura.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/604Publisher's versio