Sermon script on Why does sex play such an important part in life?

Draft a sermon script having 220 words per seconds over a duration of 29 minutes

Friends, let us gather our thoughts today to consider a profound and multifaceted aspect of human existence: sexuality. It touches upon our individual lives, our relationships, our societies, and even shapes the course of research and economic realities.

Why does sex play such an important part in life? This question, posed in a reflective manner, invites us to look deeply. Perhaps, it is felt to be creative, apart from the bringing forth of children. It can be perceived as one of the greatest pleasures, offering a sense of freedom within that pleasure. But is this perception shaped by the world around us? If everything else in our lives feels circumscribed – our jobs, our routines, following others – perhaps sexuality becomes important because it offers a sense of freedom. Yet, even there, it too can become circumscribed. We are deprived of freedom, outwardly and inwardly, burdened by history and instruction. If there is no freedom all around, especially inwardly, and tremendous importance is given only to sex, then one is destroying oneself. Life is whole, not just one part. When importance is given to everything, then this one part becomes less overwhelmingly important. While suppressing nature entirely is not possible, giving sex only this overwhelming importance is seen as corrupting.

Let us turn now to the findings of recent research, which sheds light on the connections between sexual health and overall well-being. The World Health Organization defines sexual health not merely as the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity, but as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. This aligns with global public health priorities aiming to improve overall health throughout the lifespan. Indeed, sexual pleasure is highlighted as a crucial component of sexual health and overall well-being throughout life.

A systematic review drawing on dozens of studies reveals consistent, strong associations between sexual health and overall health and well-being. Findings were grouped into categories: sexual health and physical health, and sexual health and psychological health. Across nearly all the studies reviewed, significant associations were found between positive sexual health indicators and a reduction in depression and anxiety. Furthermore, these positive indicators were linked to a higher quality of life and increased life satisfaction. These findings hold true across diverse populations, including men and women, older adults, pregnant women, and both same-sex and heterosexual couples. For instance, studies showed that sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and sexual quality of life are positively correlated with general health and quality of life, and negatively correlated with depression and anxiety. Specific examples from the studies indicate that higher erectile function is associated with improved overall health-related quality of life. Psychological distress can have a direct negative effect on sexual health. Conversely, sexually active individuals were found to have a significantly lower risk of developing anxiety and depression compared to those who were not sexually active. Sexual quality of life has been shown to be a significant positive predictor of mental well-being. Depressive symptoms are negatively correlated with sexual satisfaction. Sexual function scores correlated inversely with mental health, physical complications, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression in studies among married women. Sexual health variables were found to be predictors of mental health, explaining a portion of mental health variance. These consistent findings underline that emphasizing a positive perspective on sexual health and highlighting its benefits is an important component of efforts to improve overall health and well-being for everyone.

Beyond the individual, sexual and reproductive health has a significant impact on the economy. This is known as economic impact – the effect that something, like SRH, has on the economy. Analysing this economic impact can be a powerful tool for advocating for increased spending on SRH interventions. By illustrating the economic costs of not intervening, or by clarifying the direct link between sexual and reproductive ill-health and poverty, we can make a compelling case for resource allocation. Economic impact studies differ from cost-effectiveness studies as they place the intervention in a wider societal context, looking at variables outside the health sector. The impact can be seen at the macro economic level – affecting the economy as a whole, including national income often expressed as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or GDP growth. It can also be seen at the micro level, affecting individual economic actors like households, companies, and governments. Illness can affect the economy in complex ways, and it takes time for the economic impact to fully filter through all levels. Estimates from economic models on the impact of issues like AIDS on annual GDP growth can vary significantly, from slight reductions to as high as four percentage points. Even smaller estimates, such as a 0.5 percentage point reduction per year, accumulate over time and can be significant. For instance, a country growing at 2% annually for 30 years increases its national income by about 80%, but at 1.5%, it increases by only 56% over the same period. These models consider how the economy responds, for example, how increased health expenditures are financed by households or the private sector. However, economic impact studies are complex and face limitations. Econometric models struggle to make sensible estimates for more than 10 to 15 years, making the impact on future generations' human and social capital difficult to capture. Model outcomes depend on the assumptions made by modelers about how illness affects the economy and how economic actors change their behaviour. Furthermore, macroeconomic indicators like income per capita are not complete measures of human welfare. Crucially, any estimate of the economic impact that neglects to acknowledge the vital role women play in the economy – often unregistered as workers and carers – would severely underestimate the true cost of sexual and reproductive ill health. While economic measures cannot capture human suffering, analysing the economic impact remains useful for advocacy and assessing the cost-effectiveness of interventions at a national level.

As we consider sexuality across human experience, we also find a fascinating diversity in cultural practices. Looking at heterosexual marriages across different societies, we see that while most believe frequent sex is desirable for having children, about 23 percent surprisingly believe that too much sex is a bad idea. Customary frequencies of marital sex vary widely, from several times a day in some societies to only a few times a month in others. The most commonly reported frequency is once a day, excluding specific taboo periods. A majority of societies observe some form of marital sex taboos. These taboos might relate to times of day, specific locations, or during certain life events like menstruation or after childbirth. Theories attempt to explain these practices. For instance, long post-partum sex taboos are theorised as an adaptation in tropical environments where diets are low in protein. In such places, where toddlers are vulnerable to protein deficiency, delaying a new pregnancy allows the mother to nurse longer, improving the child's survival chances. In the absence of effective contraception, prolonged abstinence is the most effective way to prevent a new pregnancy. Another theory, linked to severe food scarcity, suggests that cultural beliefs portraying heterosexual sex as dangerous can act as a population control mechanism, adaptive in societies with insufficient resources.

The scientific study of sex encompasses a wide range of biological and societal aspects, including sexual reproduction and gender. It explores fundamental questions such as what determines gender and how this process can sometimes go awry, the evolutionary significance of sex, and the study of sexually transmitted diseases. The fight against diseases like HIV/AIDS and the re-emergence of others highlight the challenges of public health efforts when dealing with what is described as a "hard-wired evolutionary instinct". Science delves into the neurological mechanisms that drive desire and the biochemistry of love, examining the hormones and neurotransmitters involved in forming and maintaining long-term relationships beyond immediate sexual desire. Scientific research also explores the health risks associated with assisted reproductive therapy (ART) for certain couples and the societal impact of advancements in reproductive medicine. The concept of gender itself is a key area of study, with direct consequences for health and health care due to differing risks and requirements for women and men. The powerful biological emphasis placed on sex by our brains and evolution is also recognised as being exploited by advertisers.

Given the deeply personal, societal, cultural, and scientific dimensions of sexuality, it is paramount that research in this area is conducted with the highest ethical standards. The history of sexuality research, and indeed research on human subjects more broadly, contains shameful examples of unethical practices that caused great harm. Historically, members of certain groups have disproportionately faced the risks of scientific research, including institutionalised individuals, disabled people, and racial or ethnic minorities, and other disadvantaged groups. Tragic examples include the Tuskegee and Guatemala Syphilis studies, where participants were denied treatment and not given the opportunity to leave studies, despite the availability of effective cures. Dr. Marion Simms' approach to patient care has been described as tainted by unethical practices based on perceived racism and beliefs about the pain threshold of Black enslaved women. These and other heinous violations led to the implementation of measures to prevent such exploitation.

Key ethical codes have been developed over time. The Nuremberg Code, from 1947, established 10 principles, notably emphasising the importance of carefully weighing risks against benefits and the need for informed consent. The Declaration of Helsinki (1964, revised multiple times) added standards like the requirement for a written research protocol reviewed by an independent committee. In the U.S., concerns like the Tuskegee experiment spurred the Belmont Report, which explicitly recognised the principle of seeking justice, including fair distribution of research risks and benefits across societal groups. This report became the basis for federal regulations requiring institutions receiving federal support, such as universities and hospitals, to establish Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).

An IRB is a committee responsible for reviewing research protocols for potential ethical problems. It must consist of at least five people with diverse backgrounds, including members of different professions, scientists and nonscientists, men and women, and at least one person unaffiliated with the institution. The IRB helps ensure that risks are minimised, benefits outweigh risks, research is conducted fairly, and the informed consent procedure is adequate. Federal regulations classify research into three levels of risk: exempt, minimal risk, and at-risk. Exempt research, like studies on educational activities or anonymous surveys on nonsensitive topics using public data, is not subject to the full regulations. Minimal risk research, where risks are no greater than daily life or routine examinations, may receive expedited review. At-risk research, posing greater than minimal risk, requires review by the entire IRB.

Researchers have a fundamental obligation to practice their research ethically. This means respecting participants' dignity and autonomy, ensuring they can act without coercion. Informed consent is essential, involving participants' documented agreement after being fully informed of what is reasonably expected, including their right to privacy, confidentiality, and the right to opt out. As a researcher, you must be aware of and understand relevant ethics codes, distinguish risk levels, and know your institution's policies and procedures for IRB review. Seeking clarification on any ambiguity is crucial, whether by reviewing codes, reading about similar issues, or consulting experienced researchers, the IRB, or instructors. Ultimately, the researcher bears responsibility for the ethics of their work.

As you design a study, you must identify and minimise risks to participants. The informed consent procedure itself is a key part of this. A researcher must inform participants about: the purpose, expected duration, and procedures; their right to decline participation and withdraw after starting; the potential consequences of declining or withdrawing; reasonably foreseeable factors influencing their willingness to participate, such as potential risks, discomfort, or adverse effects; any prospective research benefits; limits of confidentiality; incentives for participation; and whom to contact with questions about the research and their rights. Participants must be given the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers.

Risks can often be reduced or eliminated by modifying the research design, such as shortening procedures or replacing upsetting materials. Pre-screening can also identify and eliminate high-risk participants. This can be done through informed consent, warning participants about sensitive content and reminding them of their right to withdraw, or by collecting data specifically for screening.

Researchers must also identify and minimise deception. According to the APA ethics code, deception is only permissible if justified by the study's significant value and if non-deceptive alternatives are not feasible. Deception is explicitly forbidden if it is reasonably expected to cause physical pain or severe emotional distress. Any deception that is integral to the study must be explained to participants as early as feasible, preferably at the conclusion of their participation, and no later than the end of data collection, allowing participants to withdraw their data. Deception is not only active misleading but also allowing incorrect assumptions or withholding information. It is best to minimise all forms of deception. Deception is ethically acceptable only if the research question cannot be answered without it. Generally, revealing the full research question during debriefing is acceptable if the procedure, risks, and benefits were described during informed consent.

Once risks are identified and minimised, they must be weighed against the benefits. Consider benefits to participants, science, and society. For student researchers, learning how to conduct research is a benefit. If research poses minimal risk (no more than daily life or routine exams), a small benefit to participants, science, or society is generally sufficient justification. For research posing more than minimal risk, greater benefits are needed. Subjecting participants to pain, fear, or embarrassment for minimal scientific gain is unethical. Research with potential for harm that is more than minor or long-lasting is rarely justified.

Creating informed consent and debriefing procedures is crucial after settling on a design. Determine if informed consent is needed. If so, provide ample information when recruiting participants so those who object can avoid the study. Prepare a script to explain the study in simple language, including procedure, risks/benefits, and right to withdraw. Create a consent form for participants to read and sign, covering all required points. If using deception, include that some information is being withheld but will be revealed during debriefing.

Debriefing is as important as informed consent. Use a script to explain the study clearly. Reveal the research question and full design. If participants were deceived, reveal this promptly, apologise, explain why it was necessary, and correct misconceptions. Debriefing is also an opportunity to provide additional benefits, such as relevant practical information or referrals to support services. Allow plenty of time for both informed consent and debriefing.

Institutional approval is the next step, involving writing a protocol describing the study's purpose, design, procedure, risks, benefits, risk minimisation steps, and consent/debriefing procedures. View this process as an opportunity to refine the ethics of your research and consult with experienced individuals, not just an obstacle. Address IRB questions promptly and genuinely, making modifications if necessary.

Ethical concern continues after approval. Adhere to the approved protocol, seeking additional approval for significant changes. Monitor participants for unanticipated reactions and seek feedback during debriefing. Be vigilant about potential confidentiality violations. Store consent forms and data safely and separately to protect participants' personal information.

In a world striving for emotional wellness and condemning dehumanisation, institutions must develop better practices for healing spaces. Just as the medical field historically grew from predominately white, heteronormative, cisgender perspectives, so did the study of sexuality. Much research has focused on white, heterosexual, cisgender people, but the field is slowly becoming more diverse, opening new avenues for different research. Initiatives like afrosexology.com represent efforts to move towards equity in sex research by engaging with sexuality beyond traditional borders, aiming to educate, explore, and help people reclaim their sexual agency.

Friends, we have explored many facets of human sexuality today – its profound link to our well-being, its significant impact on the economic health of societies, its diverse expressions across cultures, the scientific efforts to understand it, and the critical ethical responsibilities we bear, particularly in research, learning from a history where such considerations were tragically overlooked. As we reflect on why sexuality is so important, perhaps it is not just one isolated part of life, but threads through many dimensions of our existence, contributing to our physical, mental, emotional, social, and even economic well-being, all while demanding our respect for dignity, autonomy, and justice for all people.

Thank you.

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