Pastoral Counselling Education for Liberation from Sexuality Taboos

Osei Rhodolf Donkor

doi:10.56201/ijrcp.vol.10.no3.2025.pg95.104

📄 Download Paper

Pastoral Counselling Education for Liberation from Sexuality Taboos

Osei Rhodolf Donkor

Abstract

This paper explores the critical role of pastoral counselling education in liberating individuals and communities from the constraints of sexuality taboos. It examines how traditional religious perspectives on sexuality often contribute to shame, guilt, and oppression, particularly within marginalised groups. Utilising a quantitative methodology that includes books, articles, journals, and dictionaries on sexuality. By integrating theological insights with psychological and educational, the paper proposes a transformative approach to pastoral counselling that encourages openness, understanding, and healing around issues of sexual identity and behaviour. It argues that effective pastoral counselling education can empower clergy and counsellors to provide compassionate, informed guidance, challenge harmful stereotypes, and foster a more inclusive environment for individuals grappling with their sexual identity. Ultimately, the paper advocates for developing curricula that incorporate ethical and psychological dimensions, emphasising sexual health, dignity, and liberation from societal and religious constraints.

References

Anderson. 2020. Essential Sociology. Canada: University Press. Anna Maria George. The No-Touch Taboos: An Understanding of Sexuality and Gender in the Indian Context. Independent Researcher, Kerala, India. 2020,p91-102. Brown Michael. 2002. LGBTQ+ and Christianity. USA: Library Of Congress. Clinebell, Howard. 2011. Basic Types of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Nashville: Abingdon Press. Clarence Boomsma. 2022. Pastoral Care for Homosexual Members. Canada: CRC Publication. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. (1975). Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana. David J. Atkinson. 2016. New Dictionary of the Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. England: Inter-Varsity Press. Eliecer Crespo-Fernández. Taboos in Speaking of Sex and Sexuality: The Oxford Handbook of Taboo Words and Language. Oxford University Press. 2018, p41–60. Ericka Goerling, and Emerson Wolfe. 2024. Introduction to Human Sexuality. Portland: Portland Community College Press. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2009. UK: Britannica Publication. Gagnon. 2022. Deviant Behavior. USA: Library Of Congress. Gelfand, M. (1981). Reflections on Western Cultures. Zimbabwe: Mambo Press. Gilligan Cahill. 1985. Between the Sexes. New York: Cambridge. Heath Lambert. 2016. A Theology of Biblical Counseling. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, Michigan. Human Rights Act of sexuality. 2000. www.humanrightsseuality.com Hyde, J. S. And DeLamater, J. D. (2017). Understanding Human Sexuality. McGraw-Hill. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, revised edition, 1979. USA: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Karl Barth. 1980. Homosexuality and Ethics. New York: Cambridge. Laura Filardo Llamas. 2020-2021. Explaining taboo topics. Metaphorical construals of sexuality in children literature; A case study. Valladolid: Clara Madrigal Acero Madu, S. N. (2002). Health Complaints of Sexuality and Taboo Themes in Their Families. S A Journal of Education, Vol. 22(1), p.65-69. Magdalena Zubiel-Kasprowicz. The Phenomenon of Breaking Sexuality Taboos in the Context of Social Norms. WSB University in Torun, Poland. 2017, p38-48 Mitchell, J. (1975). Psychoanalysis and Feminism. New York: Random House. Miletski. 2002. Sexual Health Psychology. USA: Library of Congress. Obediah Dodo. 2015. Traditional Taboos Defined: Conflict Prevention Myths and Realities. Zimbabwe: Bindura University Press. Ogundipe, S. O.2014. Pastoral Perspectives on Caring and Counselling for Humans and Sustainable Nature. Lagos: Danobish Creative Prints. Seagull. 2018. Introduction to Sociology. USA: Library of Congress. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju. Sexuality in Africa Magazine Monographs. Sexuality in Africa Magazine and Monographs. Lagos by Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC). ww.arsrc.org. 2010,p20-46. World Health Organisation. Sexuality and Human Psychology. 2020 Ortlund, R. (2016). Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. Rowley H. H. 1953. Unity of the Bible. USA: Eerdmans Publishing Co. Sexuality. (2015). In Compton’s Encyclopedia. Chicago, IL: Compton’s Encyclopedia.

Pastoral Counselling Education for Liberation from Sexuality Taboos

Abstract

References

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE