A Daheshist View of Sex

(1) The Daheshist view regarding sex is that God created it, and it should be enjoyed, again, in moderation. We should not over-eat or eat things unhealthy. In like manner, we should not "oversex" or do sexually things that are unhealthy. Sodomy (anal sex) is unhealthy but not evil. Consuming bodily fluids is unhealthy, but not evil. Masturbation is not considered "evil" but "natural". Chronic masturbation can be a sign of mental illness (such as bi-polar disorder), but not a sign one is "evil" or doing an "evil" thing. It is considered unhealthy.

(2) Sex and the sex instinct is not considered "evil" but "good" if used properly and in moderation. What ___IS__ EVIL is rape, incest, sex with children (under the age of puberty), adultery (cheating), and sex with animals.

Pornography and Masturbation

(3) Dr. Dahesh did NOT consider the naked human form "evil". He published many of his books with beautiful nude women on the cover. This will sound SHOCKING to many people, but he considered nudity to be beauty. The nude body was a beautiful creation of God, and should be enjoyed as such. There is a different between "nudity" and "pornography". The nude human body itself is not pornographic. (see footnote #1) Pornography would be defined by Daheshists as anything which "degrades" and which shows any activity that promotes "negative karma".

(4) Pornography often leads to "evil" things such as adultery. It can often leads to sexual UNmoderation; which is unhealthy to one's body and mind and to relationships with others. But, pornography in moderation is not considered "evil". Again, the use of pornography, masturbation, and one's "sex life" is considered a "private matter" that Daheshists keep to themselves and do not discuss publicly.

(5) Masturbation is considered "a private matter" completely. Masturbation is a "karma neutral" activity, and not considered "evil" but chronic masturbation is considered "unhealthy" to the body and mind.

(6) Any Daheshist man or woman who violates the "Dahesh Covenant" sexually, or in some other way, is declared a "Covenant-Breaker" and shunned by other Daheshists for a probation period from one year to life.

Sexual Norms

(7) Daheshism does not condemn pre-marital sex as long as it based upon love and not lust. Couples who have pre-marital sex are not "sinning" if they are expressing love and not lust. Marriage was invented by socities as an institution to protect females from lustful men.

(8) Sexual "norms" change over time, and change with culture. In America, a 20 year old man marrying a 13 year old girl would be considered "perverted" and the man would be arrested and jailed for 20 years. Yet, Mary was probably age 13 when she became betrothed to Joseph, who was called "a good man"(Luke 23:50). Again, what is considered "normal" and "perverted" changes with time and culture.

(9) Sex between teen-agers is not considered "evil" in Daheshism. It is considered "unwise" because it brings "problems" such as unwanted pregnancies, etc. In centuries to come teens will be taught how to have sex responsibly, but until then, Daheshists must obey the law of the land they live in. In India, Daheshists may get married when they reach the age of puberty (13 or 14), but Daheshists in other lands must obey the law of the land they live in.

Pre-Marital Sex

(10) The Daheshist view is as follows:

*Those who wish to be resurrected on a Heavenly Planet must be born again.

*To be born again one must extinguish one's ego, and that includes ending one's sexual nature. It means to become completely celebate. It means to become a "mental eunuch". This is what Jesus meant when He said:

""For there are some eunuchs, which were born from their mother's womb: and there fore some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (Matt. 19:12)

(11) Daheshists are divided between Mu'min (Believers) and Mu'stafas (Chosen Ones). The Mu'stafas are those Daheshists who belong to Holy Orders; who renounce the world, and seek to "die in God" (extinguish their egos). Those who cannot become Mu'stafas (eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven), and who want to have sex lives, and who accept the fact they will be reincarnated upon this Earth or some other Hell-world, must keep their sex life private.

(12) There is nothing "evil" about sex per se. For a male and female to show love via sex is not negative karma; as long as their activity is "natural". Sodomy and oral sex are not "natural". Pre-marital sex means sex without a marriage covenant. If a man and women love each other, and wish to express privately, there is no "sin" and it is not "evil" but sex outside of some sort of legal contract can lead to social problems such as diseases, children without fathers, etc.

(13) Marriage is a social contract ordained by the State. But the State cannot determine what is "moral" and what is "immoral". Sex derived of lust is "negative karma". But sex derived of love, as a showing of love, is not negative karma. Therefore, pre-marital sex based upon LOVE and not lust is not negative karma, and is therefore not "evil".

(14) Some men will promise women marriage in order to get sex. This is deception, and negative karma. This is sex based upon lust, and is negative karma. This is why marriage was invented, as a WAY to protect women from men who want to have SEX with them based upon lust, and men who do not wish to take responsibility if the woman gets pregnant.

(15) Those who want to be resurrected on a Heavenly Planet must become Eunuchs; not physically, but mentally, and emotionally and spiritually; like the Essenes of Jesus' day, or the Pythagoreans, like the Jainist monks and nuns, and the Buddhist monks. There are no exceptions. Sex "binds" us to the Wheel of Rebirth. Those who wish to be liberated from the Wheel of Rebirth, must overcome their sexual natures in this life. Otherwise, they will return to this planet, or another Higher or Lower Hell-world, until the 6,000 lifetimes is over. At the end of 6,000 lifetimes, all of us return to the Kingdom of Heaven to become Devas ("day-vahs"), but only those who are "born again" during one of those lives, shall become Aeons; which is the highest caste of Devas, and those who have the power of creation in the Heavenly Worlds.

(16) To become born again does NOT merely mean to say "The Sinner's Prayer" and to believe in one's heart that Jesus is their Savior. To become born again one must "die in God". This is a extremely difficult process, and not easy, and most who even attempt it fail. As Jesus said, "Narrow is the gate, and straight is the way, to Aeonian Life, and few are they who find it."

Homosexuality

(17) Daheshism teaches that there are basically three places we go for our next incarnation:

1) The Heavenly Planets (Deva-lokas)

2) The Earth-like Planets (Asura-lokas)

3) The Hell-worlds (Naraka-lokas)

(18) Only those who are born again are resurrected on the Heavenly Planets. The process of being born again is rigorous, and few have achieved it. It means to "extinguish" our egos. One of the steps to extinguish is to overcome our sexual natures. Our sexual nature "binds" us to this world. If we "overcome" our "lower nature" then we are born again and become sinless, and will be resurrected on a Heavenly Planet.

(19) For those who are not willing to sacrifice their sexuality, they must return to this world or upon another planet just like or similar to this world. If we shed innocent blood, we are born upon a Lower Hell-world and live a truly horrible life. If we oppress the poor in this life, we will be born poor and oppressed in the next, and so forth. Whatsoever we shall sow in this life, we shall reap in the next.

Why did God condemn homosexuality in the Bible?

(20) We know that under the Law of Moses, male homosexuality (not female) was punished by death and called by the LORD an "abomination". Under the Law of Moses, the following acts were also considered "abominations":
*Sex with a woman during her period (Lev 11:3-12)
*Interbreeding cattle (Lev. 19:19)
*Harvesting a fruit tree before its fifth year (Lev. 19:25)
*Getting a tatoo (Lev. 19:27)
*Shaving one's head or face (Lev. 19:28)
*Eating pork
*Eating shell fish

Most would agree that Jesus came to save us from the "Curse of the Law" as Paul wrote:

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Galatians 3:13)

(21) The Hebrew word for "sin" is KHEYT. The word KHEYT is never used in regards to homosexuality, male or female. The word used for male homosexuality (female homosexuality is not mentioned in the Old Testament) is TO'EBAH ("abomination"). There is no English equivalent. The Hawaiian word "taboo" can be an equivolent. For the Polynesians, a "taboo" can mean anything from having sex with one's mother, to eating a certain kind of fish during a certain festival. There is no "one word" in English to describe TO'EBAH. In older English Bibles it is translated "abomination". It means a practice which may be abhorrant, or disgusting, or unclean, or just merely merely improper.

(22) In the days of Moses, there were no condoms. In his day, there was little pre-marital sex between the sexes, because young females were never left alone. Therefore, sex between males, or between men and boys, was not uncommon. Moses condemned these practices, because they were "abominations". These practices were "abominations" because they would lead to disease (which the men would then give to their wives, and their wives would give to their children later born). These practices would lead to blood feuds. If a man was caught sodomizing a younger man, or boy, this was be considered a "dishonor" upon the younger man or boy, and the family and clan of that younger man or boy would demand the blood of the sodomizer. If the family of the sodomizer did not hand him over, then there would be a blood feud which would lead to the deaths of many people. Therefore, the LORD commanded Moses that anyone practicing sodomy (male homosexuality) must be put to death; as a way to scare men from these unhealthy practices that would bring diseases to them, their wives, and their children born of their diseased wives. It was better that a few were killed, if need be, rather than an entire people be infected with disease.

(23) Female homosexuality was never condemned under the Law of Moses. There is no mention of it, and therefore no condemnation. The practice did not spread disease throughout the community, nor did the practice "shame" one of the parties thus leading to blood feuds. Still, in the Middle-East, female homosexuality is not discussed, and is considered "taboo" to even discuss it. On the other hand, females who have pre-marital sex with a male are often killed by their own family members because they have brought "shame" upon the family. These are called "honor killings".

(24) The prophet Moses knew that males having sex with each other would spread disease, so he proscribed a punishment (death) that would scare all males from practicing it. He knew that eating shell fish (in his day and time) would spread disease (see footnote #1). In his day shellfish was not boiled, but eaten raw. He knew that if he commanded that shellfish could be eaten, but must be boiled first, many Israelites would ignore the command to boil, and disease would enter the camp. In his day pigs ate dead animals, and carried many diseases. Thus, all of these practices were "unclean" and spread disease. Under the Law of Moses, male homosexuality is condemned because it spread disease, but female homosexuality was not condemned because it did not spread disease.

(25) Dr. Dahesh taught that our birth is determined by our prior karma (actions). In other words, if in a previous life we lived as a heterosexual man in prison, and we had sex with another man, but fantasied the man was a woman, then in the next incarnation we would be born as a homosexual male. Recent studies show that 2% or 1 in 50 men and women are homosexual, and a further 2% or 1 in 50 men and women are bisexual; not 1 in 10 as the Kinsey reports claimed.

(26) Any activity that is selfish, unnatural (such as sodomy or oral sex), or that spreads disease causes "negative karma" to become attached to that soul. Negative karma attaches to the Sayyals (spiritual fluids) of a soul and lowers those Sayyals. The lower our Sayyals, then the lower of spiritual frequency or "tone". The lower our "tone" means the "lower" condition we will be born into in the next incarnation. Every karma (action) which is negative will bring a negative reaction; either in this life, or the next.

(27) If a homosexual man or woman wishes to be heterosexual in the next incarnation, then they must "overcome" their same-sex desire in this life. Not an easy thing. This cannot be achieved via "aversion" therapy, but rather from reaching a very high level of "tone" (spirituality) via various spiritual practices such as Kriya Yoga (see footnote #2).

(28) Those who wish to "die in God" and sacrifice their sexual natures are called MU'STAFA (see footnote #3) (Arabic: "Faithful Ones"). These are the Daheshist monks and nuns. They must make a vow of complete celebacy. Only the Mu'stafa (Arabic: "chosen ones") will be heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven; which are the Deva-lokas ("Planets of the Devas").

(29) All Daheshists are required to keep their sexual lives private in public. Public showings of affection, such as kissing on the lips and holding hands, is forbidden for Daheshists. However, kissing on the cheek, even between males, is permitted.

(30) Those who do not or cannot sacrifice their sexual natures, and be "born again" are still Daheshists because they believe they can get a better incarnation in the next life "if" they adhere to the principles of Daheshism in this life.

Sex with Childen

(31) Sex with children (pedophilia) is very evil, and this is what Jesus referred to when He said that it was better for a man to have a millstone tied around his neck and thrown into the ocean, rather than to "offend one of these little ones". A child is a human being who has not reached the age of puberty. Some men, and a few women, have sexual attraction to children usually because they were molested as children. If these individuals are not "saved" (born again) in this lifetime, then they will be reincarnated with great deformities in the genital areas. Of course, if a child-molestor also kills a child, this is shedding innocent blood, and then they will be reincarnated on a Naraka-loka (Hell-planet) to suffer the wrath of the Narakas (Hell-beings) for one or more lifetimes.

(32) Any Daheshist who has had sex with a child, or who desirse sex with a child, and that desire becomes known to the Council (the leaders of the local Dahesh Society) will be declared a Covenant-Breaker, and Daheshists must shun that person for life, or until that person enters a Daheshist monastery where he/she can have no access to children and where they must make a vow of complete celebacy. They must remain in that monastery for their natural life. If they leave, they will be declared a Covenant-Breaker, and will be shunned by all Daheshists, for life.

Homosexuls in Dahesh Socities

(33) Each Dahesh Society is an independent entity, and each Society may decide for itself whether to accept practicing homosexuals, or not, as members.

Sex with Teens

(34) Sex with teens (ephebophilia) is not seen as "evil" in itself. All sex that is based upon lust, and not love, brings negative karma, but sex beteen adults and teens, is not "evil" in itself. The Jews in the time of Jesus practiced it; a 12 or 13 year old girl (a girl who has just reached puberty) was expected to marry a man who was usually aged 20 or more (i.e. when the man was old enough to support children of his own). This practice is common in India and some Muslim countries to this day. It was fairly common in England centuries ago, and was fairly common in early colonial America, and was not condemned by the Christian clergy, but blessed by the Christian clergy. Many Christian clergymen during the 16th, 17th, and 18th century, men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, commonly married girls as young as 14, and some as young as 12. This was not seen as "perverted" in any way, nor were the men viewed as anything but men of God. But Daheshists must obey the Law of the Land they live in, in regard to marriage and/or sex with teens.

Punishment for Unclean Sexual Acts

(35) The Law of Karma inacts punishment upon all "unclean" (abominable) sexual acts; whether they are heterosexual or homosexual. The seed of man is meant for the womb of woman. The penalty for anal sex is for that soul to return to this planet with a body subject to colon cancer. The penalty for oral sex (hetero or homo) is that the person who freely practices this behavior will return with a body subject to throat or mouth or stomach cancer. There is no karmic penalty for spilling one's seed upon oneself or the skin of a woman.

Only the Mu'stafa Inherit Eternal Life

(36) Daheshism teaches that only the Mu'stafa (Arabic: "Chosen"=celebate and devout religious Daheshists) shall inherit the Kingdom of God; which are the Heavenly Planets. The apostle Paul wrote:

"Or do you know know that wrongdoers will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New International Version)

Anyone, heterosexual or homosexual, who is not a Mu'stafa will not inherit the Kingdom of God (i.e. Deva-loka). Most Daheshists are not Mu'stafa, and never will be Mu'stafa in this life. They are Daheshists because they believe in Daheshism and want to have an equal or better reincarnation for the next life; not because they believe they can inherit the Kingdom of Heaven after this life.

Homosexual Marriage

(37) Daheshism does not deal with homosexual marriage. Each Dahesh Society must decide for itself whether to accept homosexuals as members, and if they can also accept married homosexuals as members. Dahesh Societies are self-governing entities under self-government. Each Dahesh Society is headed by a Council (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Priest) who makes rules for its particular Society.

Homosexual Mu'stafa

(38) To be Mu'stafa (priest, monk, or nun) one must be completely celebate; which includes no sexual contact with others, no sexual fantasy or masturbation. To be a Mu'stafa means to "die in God"; to give sacrifice one's sexuality to God. To be a practicing heterosexual or homosexual, and to claim one is Mu'stafa, is to be a Hypocrite. Mu'stafa who violate their vow are dismissed for one year. Upon a second violation, they are dismissed for life.

Homosexual Daheshist Societies

(39) Gay and Lesbian Daheshists are welcome to form their own Dahesh Societies or clubs. In free countries, there is nothing stopping anyone from saying "I am a Daheshist" then behaving any way in which they feel they can or should. Any Daheshist, male or female, straight or queer, gay or lesbian, who thinks they can be a "sexual being" and still inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (Deva-loka) at death is under Maya (strong delusion). However, gay and lesbian Daheshists who wish to remain as sexual beings, and understand they will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven for their next incarnation, may believe in Daheshism under the knowledge that if they do more good than evil, then their next incarnation on this planet will be as good or better than their current life.

Homophobia

(40) Daheshists are commanded to keep "The Gold Rule" which is: To treat others as you want to be treated. Therefore, Daheshists believe in "mutual respect" for all and everyone; from kings to beggers, from physicians to prostitutes, from the dignitarites to the criminals. Everyone must be shown sincere respect with no exceptions. Dahesh Societies have the right to disfellowship (shun) any Daheshist who breaks the Golden Rule for either one year or for life.

Abortion

(41) Daheshism teaches that abortion is a major sin. The Law of Karma does not distinguish between the killing of a child or of a quickened fetus (beyond day 120). Anyone who sheds innocent blood must be born on a Naraka-loka (Hell-world) and suffer a lifetime (or more). Abortion of a conceptus (after conception but before a beating heart) is a sin, but not akid to murder. Abortion of a fetus with a heart beat is a greviouis sin, but not murder. Any Daheshist women who has an abortion after the time of quickening must be disfellowshipped for life. Any Daheshist woman who has an abortion before the time of quickening must be disfellowshipped for 1 year, or for the second violation, for life. There are no exceptions for this rule even for rape or incest (the child should not be punished for another's sin). If the woman's physical life is in danger (not her "quality of life" but her physical life) and she procures an abortion then the penalty is disfellowshipment for one year. Any Daheshist who performs, procures, pays for, arranges, or recommends an abortion is disfellowshipped for one year, and on second violation for life.

Birth Control

(42) Daheshism has nothing against birth control except when a conceptus is aborted. Daheshist couples who wish to reduce the number of children may use condoms or practice coitus interruptus (the seed is spilled on the woman's skin instead of in her womb). Coitus interruptus is karmicly neutral.

Incest

(43) Daheshism teaches that incest, which is sex between close blood relatives is evil, and will cause the soul to be deformed in the sexual areas in their next incarnation. Sex between fathers and daughters, or mothers and sons, or between brothers and sisters, or sisters and sisters, or brothers and brothers, is incest. Sex between first cousins is not considered incest. Sex between a step-mother and step-father is not considered to be incest, but adultery.

Rape

(44) Daheshism considers rape to be very evil. Those who forcibly rape another will be born with great genital defects in their next incarnation. Those that pressure others into sex, but do not force them, will be born with lesser genital defects in their next Earth life.

Bestiality

(45) Bestiality is an ugly abomination. The punishment of which is to become an animal (specifically the kind of animal you had sex with) in the next incarnation. This is the only case where human souls may reincarnation as animals.

Viewing Nude Art and Public Nudity

(46) Daheshism views the nude human body as a beautiful creation of God. Dr. Dahesh published a number of books with beautiful nude bodies (mostly women) on the cover; either photos or drawings. Viewing a beautiful nude body is not considered "lusting". Committing "adultery in the heart" is not merely admiring a beautiful person (male or female), but means to actively try (to succeed or not to succeed) in trying to commit adultery with that other person. Daheshism accepts the Book of Activity (written by Father Paul Blighton in the 1960s) as divinely-inspired. The Book of Activity (see footnote #4) declares:

5. He that desireth another woman fervently, who belongs to another, is attempting to steal her away from her husband
6. But he who just admires the beauty of a creation of God, is admiring God's handiwork, and sinneth not against the Father. (Book of Activity 1:5-6)

For further information on this subject please read:

A Daheshist View of Nudism

Sex With Prostitutes

(47) Sex with prostitutes, or fornication, is seen a sex based upon lust, and therefore it draws negative karma (what Daheshists would call "lowering ones Sayyals" or spiritual fluids) Negative karma lowers one Sayyals (spiritual fluids) which lowers one's vibration rate or "tone". The lower one's "tone" in this life, the lower the situation one is born into in the next life. Daheshists who practice fornication should be disfellowshipped for one year, and, upon second offence, for life.

Adultery/Cheating

(48) Adultery, or "cheating" means to have sex (of any kind) with a person who is not one's husband, wife, or committed partner. This again draws negative karma, and lowers one Sayyals and tone. The karmic penalty for adultery is to be born in the next incarnation on Earth with features unattractive to others. Daheshists who are suspected of adultery should be disfellowshipped for one year, and upon a second violation, disfellowshipped for life.

If you would like to fellowship with other Daheshists, or Seekers of Truth (those studying Daheshism), then you may do so online at:

WWW.DAHESHVILLE.COM

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FOOTNOTES

#1) Journalist Erick Eckholm of the New York Times wrote:

"Medical scientists have concluded that a disease agent called the Norwalk virus is a major cause of outbreaks of intestinal illness among people who eat uncooked shellfish, promting officials to strengthen their oft-ignored warnings against consumption of any raw clams or oysters." ("Warnings Issued on Eating Shellfish that is Uncooked", New York Times, Sunday, July 13, 2008)

#2) Kriya Yoga. According to Yogananda (d.1957), an Indian Yogi who founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in the 1950s, Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision in Encinitas, California, in 1937, and told him (Yogananda) to teach the world Kriya Yoga; a meditation technique that helps a person achieve "God-Realization" or "Christ Consciousness"; which Yogananda claimed is what Jesus was referring to when He told others they had to be born again to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Kriya Yoga is taught by the Self-Realization Fellowship to all of its members. Kriya Yoga will also be taught to members of Daheshist Holy Orders (i.e. to Daheshist priests, monks, and nuns).

#3) Daheshists are either Secular or Religious. Secular Daheshists are non-religious, and do not pray or have any formal religion. They simply believe in the 5 Principles of Daheshism: belief in one God, in the Law of Karma, in reincarnation, in the Golden Rule, and in Daheshism. They are spiritual, but not religious. They do not wish to belong to any organized religion or society; not even a Daheshist society. Religious Daheshists are divided into two groups: the Mu'min (Arabic: "Believer" and the Mu'stafa (Arabic: "Chosen One". The Mu'min are the Believers; men and women who marry, may eat meat (if they wish), and have jobs and careers and families and live in houses or apartments. The Mu'stafa are those Daheshists who belong to one of the Holy Orders. They are the Elect of Daheshism. They are either priests or monks or nuns. Priests are men or women, and are addressed as "Father (first name)" or "Mother (first name)". Monks are called "Brother". Nuns are called "Sister". They are members of the Holy Orders and seek to "die in God" in this life so they may be reborn on a Heavenly Planet (Deva-loka) in the next. They are vegitarians. They believe in non-violence toward all sentient beings. They wear special robes and make vows of poverty and complete celebacy. They are Daheshists who actively seek to be born again.

#4) Earl Blighton (d. 1974) founded the Holy Orders of M.A.N.S. (HOOM) in San Francisco in 1968. He claimed that he wrote The Book of Activity (a guidebook for members of HOOM) under the inspiration of his Holy Spirit. HOOM consisted of men and women who desired to become monks and nuns. HOOM taught reincarnation, and had many other doctrines similar to Daheshism. This is because Father Paul is considered to have been the reincarnation of one of the Sayyals (spiritual fluids) of the Apostle Paul. A few years after the death of Father Paul, HOOM disbanded.

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Evenson, Darrick T. (1960~) A Daheshist View of Sex (Seattle: The Dahesh Society of Puget Sound, 2008)

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The Daheshist Society of the United States and Canada

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