[Week 10] Religion and Sexuality: The Integrated Pillars of the New Health Economy

Leslie Do
ASA 2, Professor Valverde
TA: Josh Watkins, Section: 1
Week 10 Blog

                   Religion and Sexuality: The Integrated Pillars of the New Health Economy

Although it's important that Boyung Lee's essay Teaching Justice and Living Peace examines the suppression of discussions (especially female sexuality) on Asian American sexuality in specific "Asian faith communities" more interested in framing religion and Asian American sexuality as the supporting pillars of the new health economy (Lee, 419.) To expand Lee's quest for "appropriate strategies for teaching sexuality education" through a social justice lenses, believe that we should discuss about Asian American sexuality as a important, crucial element to the holistic maintenance of our health and positive cognitive behavioral therapy (Lee, 419.) As a part of connection to consumption of genetically modified food , exposure to biochemicals, and practical protection of reproduction capabilities in order to spiritually cleanse the body of toxins, and of maladaptive psychological beliefs that correlates to offsetting extreme levels of stress and physical ailments. Therefore, both religion and sexuality should be seen as collaborators that evolve holistic health techniques and professional medical practices. For example, although my Asian American friend cannot change the queerphobic sentiments of some members of his Asian American faith community, he decided to see his queer identity and religion as interconnected, social constructs that cannot be divorced from one another and that spiritually and holistically maintain his physical, mental, and psychological health.

Questions 

How can we make religion and Asian American sexuality as pillar of the holistic health maintenance understandable to adolescents (from Asian Americna faith based communities) in sex education classes?

Through a culturally competent framework, Dr. Zuribriggen discusses about framing sexual health as a holistic norm of taking care of our overall health.