Criticism and regulation of sexuality has historically been one of the major aspects of human society. Criticisms of sexual behavior have addressed human sexuality in general as well as its individual practices. Because sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human identity, every criticism of sexuality fails one or more logical tests, and can never rise to the level of a scientific thesis. Nevertheless, it is educational to examine each criticism as well as its flaws.

General criticisms

Unregulated sexuality, as a part of unregulated sensuality, has often been viewed as an obstacle to achievement or the notion of "progress." Religious sects over the course of history have generally held unregulated sexuality to be an obstacle in the spiritual quest (a small minority, typically led by a charismatic leader, have gone the opposite route, and encouraged free love). Monastic traditions of all faiths generally require sexual abstention from their adherents, though this has been variously interpreted and sometimes poorly enforced. The expense of sexual energy has also been claimed to sap the energy (Freud would say, "libido") that could be turned to other endeavors, such as creative writing, sports, or career development. The last is of particular concern for professional traditions, wherein romantic affairs can subvert the goals of businesses and corporate agendas.

Mental disturbance

Buddhist teachings of certain schools associated with the first turning of the wheel of dharma hold that all desire, including sexual desire, is one of the three principal forms of entrapment (known as kleshas, the other two being aggression and ignorance), and that in order to awaken from the ordinary confused mind state one must release the energy of desire without clinging to it or to its object.

Other Buddhist schools, mostly associated with the third turning of the wheel of dharma, while not refuting the validity of the klesha concept, focus on employing the energy of desires, especially sexual desire, to further one's progress on the path of awakening.

Spiritual obstacle

The early Christian teachings debated whether the celibate life was the best life. Certain Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, continue to hold on to the ideal of celibacy and require it of their clergy. St. Paul was particularly anti-sexual, and strongly promoted celibacy. Celibacy was also a feature of some sects, such as the Shakers, who renounced sexuality in order to live a holier life.

Impure

A number of religions, including many native faiths as well as some of the more organized religions, maintain sexuality to be impure and prescribe cleansing and purification proceses to bring oneself closer to divinity. In Islam, the full wudu ablution is required after sexual intercourse and nocturnal emissions. In some Native American religions, a period of absention from sexual relations is required before undergoing certain rituals, such as veladas.

Criticisms of heterosexuality

Most criticisms of heterosexuality address not heterosexuality itself, but its compulsory aspect in those societies that privilege it to the extent of suppressing alternative sexualities.

Disrupts natural equilibrium

This argument is based around the concept that there is a natural ratio of homosexuality to heterosexuality, and that strict cultural codes deny a natural balance. This hypothesis lacks falsifiability: there is no way to construct an experiment that would prove or deny that human beings would fall into a natural ratio.

Causes overpopulation

Exclusive heterosexuality has been opposed in a number of societies with the express aim of combatting the problem of overpopulation. This was accomplished by formalizing a same-sex love tradition and incorporating it into the legislation. Modern studies, such as Thomas Peele's essay on "Composition Studies, Heteronormativity, and Popular Culture" [1149] also postulate that overpopulation is a problem associated with the repression of homosexuality and point out that in nature homosexuality rates increase with the size of the population, thus suggesting it is a natural mechanism for controlling population growth. Zoologists have noted that in certain species of birds and rodents the rate of heterosexuality decreases as population size increases.

Promotes sexual "slavery"

Adrienne Rich, in her article, Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence identifies the expectation that a woman should enter into a relationship with a man as analogous with other forms of female sexual slavery Rich's essay. This argument falls by its appeal to emotion: it associates marriage (a neutral word) with the clear evil of slavery (a emotionally and politically negative word), without specifically proving that the two are indeed analoguous.

Lowers the intellectual level of society

This argument is based around the observation that many great intellectuals and artists were homosexuals, and thus presumes that suppression of homosexuality will lead to a lower intellectual productivity. However, this hypothesis is not known to be refutable (able to be falsified) and is open to being characterised as pseudoscience.

It is an impediment to fulfilling one's sexual potential

This is an idea advanced in erotic treatises such as the 1630 Chinese classic Bian er Zhai, in which it is claimed that limiting oneself to relations with the opposite sex means not reaching the apex of what love can provide. (Anonymous, Épingle de femme sous le bonnet viril, p.65, Mercure, 1997). This hypothesis is also not refutable and thus may be considered unscientific.

Criticisms of bisexuality

Masks homosexuality

This concept starts with the assumption that homosexuality is something that should or could be masked, and claims that bisexuality is merely a cover for it. It subtly advances a homophobic agenda merely by its existence. It is not uncommonly held by homophobic individuals who wish to extend their prejudice to include self-declared bisexuals.

Dissipation of vital force

As above, including all critiques of sexuality in general. Impossible to falsify.

Endangers propagation of the species

Flaw: fertility-decline has not been shown to be an existential threat to the human race.

Argument of "confusion"

This argument, held by some hetero- and homosexuals, is that bisexuality reflects simply confusion, and that all bisexuals simply need to make a choice. No specific evidence has been advanced to support this hypothesis.

Criticisms of homosexuality

It is against nature

This argument appeals to feeling or emotion rather than logic and is impossible to falsify.

It contravenes religious teachings

This argument appeals to tradition and faith and is impossible to falsify.

Causes epidemics

This argument stems from the early history of the AIDS crisis, in which the high promiscuity of gay men led to the rapid spread of a new STD and ignores the epidemics caused by heterosexuals throughout history. This argument appeals to strongly-held and visceral emotion, and though it is commonplace among the ignorant and uneducated, it is logically false.

It subverts the young

This argument stems from unproven rumor which suggests the prevalence of an initiation experience in the early sexual history of gay men. It falls because it does not address whether homosexuality itself is wrong or right, it merely plays upon fears of "conversion."

Brings shame upon the community

One example is a sermon by Bernardino of Siena: <<O Italia, quanto ne se'contaminata più che altra provincia ! Va' a tedeschi, e ode che bello vanto e' danno a' Taliani ! Dicono che non è generazione al mondo, che sieno maggiori sodomitti che'Italiani>>. ("Abominabile peccato della maladetta soddomia". Prediche volgari sul campo di Siena. 1427 vol. 2, Milan, p. 1139., p. 1149.