China's One Child Policy is a great policy.

[izaaz101]

sapphi_snake said:

izaaz101 said:

sapphi_snake said:

Judaism condems sex for non-reproductive purposes too (Onan, and other things from the Bible), and I'm pretty sure Islam is no different.

Actually, no. Muslims are encouraged to engage in sex often (after marriage) not only for reproduction, but also for enjoyment (no ban on contraceptives).

Most people's ideas abour sex in Islam stem from the middle eastern countries which practice sex only when the intention is to conceive a child. This is a cultural phenomenon, not a religious one.

Out of curiosity does this imply between married couples, or can men only do this (including with women who are not their wives)?

And these practices usually are cultural, but religion and culture often interwine.

Yes, only with your spouse(s). Adultery is a sin which is viewed quite harshly, for both sexes.

And yes, religion and culture do tend to overlap, but in many instances, Middle Eastern practices have become synonymous with Islam, to the point where these practices are assumed to be a part of the religion (which then causes people like Joelcool7 to refer to my entire religion as an "extremist group").