realize its basic goodness.
Whitehead then makes the point that the Christian body finds truth in its sexual .
experience in a four tier system. This truth leads to a respect for the very idea that the .
sexual experience should be held sacred, and thus supporting the claim that sex can be .
good. Firstly, the goodness of sexual arousal itself is discovered by the individual, that .
which draws the person to others in love, friendship, and marriage. Secondly, many .
realize that there is more to sex than procreation. The pleasures derived from enjoying .
sex make fertility seem even more worthwhile. Thirdly, sex is defined as a sharing .
process in which we are revealed to ourselves, in that we becomes aware of an ability to .
love that we never imagined we possessed. Finally, Whitehead mentions that spiritual .
healing can be found in sexuality. Physical embraces are often known to erase existing .
wounds and worries, therefore making forgiveness possible. The culmination of these .
steps leads the individual to look beyond physical pleasure and gain a deeper appreciation .
for what it means to be sexual.
Sex is often treated as a mysterious entity, a subject that has only recently been .
studied at great length. Research would indicate to the average person that sexual .
reproduction links the human species to the rest of the animal kingdom. However, .
Whitehead effectively points out that sex for most animals is seasonal and also focused .
solely on reproduction. In contrast, sexuality to human beings is not limited only to .
procreation, due to the fact that women and men maintain their sexual desire before and .
after their biological fertility ends. Sex is also considered mysterious because it cannot be .
exactly defined. Sex is seen as being symbolic because each individual has a different .
opinion about what sex means to him/her. Many treat sex as purely relational, "a gift to .
be exchanged between friends.