THE TURNING OF HUMANS INTO BEASTS: A WAY TO SPIRITUAL CUM MORAL DEBASEMENT IN SEXUAL INTERCOURSE BY REV FR PAUL IKECHUKWU OGUJIOFFOR.

Etymologically, the Hebrew word חֵיוָא [cheva or chevah] means beast which the Latin word bestialis, renders it as beast or bestiality. In Greek θηρίον [thérion] properly means a wild beast, any animal or met or a brute; hence thēríon the generic term for wild animal (beast); is figuratively brutal or bestial nature. In religion thēríon is never refers to animals used for sacrifice. How then do the topic come up or better still how do human beings turn into beasts, regarding sexual intercourse, as to be a spiritual and moral debasement even among married people? It is from this question that the point of departure has to do with what is then bestiality and how does it affects human dignity regarding the conjugal love, and also taking it into the illicit relationship in heterosexual, homosexual and lesbianism (cf. Lev.18; 20; Rom.1:26-27)?

What is bestiality? 1. Bestiality is sexual relations between a person and an animal, including intercourse, masturbation, cunnilingus, frottage (rubbing), anal penetration, or having ones’ genitals licked by a human being (men licking female genitalia and anus or vice versa) or by an animal. This should never be done or practiced even by those who are properly married in the Church. 2. A synonym for zoophilia, but a distinction is sometimes made between bestiality, a sexual act with animals, and zoophilia, sexual arousal from contacts with animals. 3. Bestiality is sexual relations with an animal or a type of fornication, which, like homosexuality or lesbianism is unnatural that is contra natura (against nature) [Rom.1:26-27]. Bestiality, homosexuality and lesbianism are also known as sodomy. Bestiality is a perverted behaviour and anyone who says that bestiality is normal, is also perverted. It is also a disease which is contagious no matter how we may think that we are medically alright even among couples. Therefore, married couples or friends who say licking of genital organs during sexual intercourse is normal or good, and a way of reaching orgasm are simply beasts, the act is abominable in the sight of God therefore, even for married couples it is never among the foreplay before coition. Coition is the act of sexual procreation between a man and a woman whereby the man's penis is inserted into the woman's vagina and excited until orgasm and ejaculation occurs. It comes from coitus [coi- + -tus suffix of venereal action, which from Latin means, a coming together, uniting, and sexual intercourse].

The Word of God says that bestiality is an abomination in the sight of God.

a)      πᾶν κοιμώμενον μετὰ κτήνους θανάτῳ ἀποκτενεῖτε αὐτούς-Qui coierit cum jumento, morte moriatur-The man who is guilty of bestiality must pay for it with his life Exo.22:19.

b)      καὶ πρὸς πᾶν τετράπουν οὐ δώσεις τὴν κοίτην σου εἰς σπερματισμὸν ἐκμιανθῆναι πρὸς αὐτό καὶ γυνὴ οὐ στήσεται πρὸς πᾶν τετράπουν βιβασθῆναι μυσερὸν γάρ ἐστιν-Cum omni pecore non coibis, nec maculaberis cum eo. Mulier non succumbet jumento, nec miscebitur ei, quia scelus est-Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion Lev.18:23; 20:15-16.

c)      ἐπικατάρατος ὁ κοιμώμενος μετὰ παντὸς κτήνους καὶ ἐροῦσιν πᾶς ὁ λαός γένοιτο- Maledictus qui dormit cum omni jumento: et dicet omnis populus: Amen-Cursed is the man who has sexual relations with any animal or behaves as such with a human Deut.27:21.

d)     God created us in his own image and not of the image of beast. καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον κα{T'} εἰκόνα θεοῦ ἐποίησεν αὐτόν ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἐποίησεν αὐτούς-Et creavit Deus hominem ad imaginem suam: ad imaginem Dei creavit illum, masculum et feminam creavit eos-So God made man in his own image, made him in the image of God. Man and woman both, he created them Gen.1:27.

Bestiality is a horrible, unnatural, and abominable sin, hence is condemned so strongly? First, it is an unnatural perversion. Clearly, human beings (husband and wife) were designed/intended to mate with each other and in a human way not like animals. In the creation account, none of the animals was “suitable” for Adam (Gen.2:20). Second, bestiality represents the ultimate of sexual deviancy. The fact that the animal was to be put to death (Lev.20:15-16), despite the fact that it would be “innocent,” indicates how wickedly perverse bestiality is. Third, and perhaps most importantly, bestiality essentially denies the uniqueness of humanity, which God created in His image (Gen.1:27). Bestiality lowers humanity to nothing more than an animal, a beast that is unable to distinguish right from wrong, natural from unnatural, love from lust.

A return to God!!! - Oh Lord if You should mark our sins and iniquities, none of us can survive, but with you is found forgiveness that you may be revered Ps.130:3-4. Very many people have seen themselves in this mess out of lustful passion not knowing the gravity of what they were doing or did, Oh Merciful God forgive us all. Let us from today know the right thing to do not to be overcome by our lustful passions for you told us all that Your grace is enough for us (cf.2 Cor.12:9). We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit One God forever and ever, Amen.

Summer 2014-July (Parrocchia di Villammare & Vibonati Province of Salerno), August (Parrocchia Santa Maria degli Angeli & San Magno Fondi) and September (Monastero di Montevergine Mercogliano).