Why sex was a sin in the Middle Ages
Diarmaid MacCulloch explains why, for the medieval Church, celibacy was next to godliness – and considers how pervasive this attitude was in the years that followed
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Show Notes
Celibacy barely merits a mention in the Bible. Yet, by the early Middle Ages, it was being celebrated as a shortcut to a seat next to God. In this Long Read written by Diarmaid MacCulloch, we explore Christianity’s long love affair with sexual abstinence.
HistoryExtra Long Reads brings you the best articles from BBC History Magazine, direct to your ears. Today’s feature originally appeared in the Christmas 2024 issue, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB.
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