I haven't read the book, but I think a lot of society's ills could be cured by taking sin out of sex (and money out of politics and religion, but that's another topic for another day). The only "sin" inherent in sex is when sex is used to manipulate, humiliate, hurt, use, force, coerce, or cause another person to have a negative experience.
It also seems wrong to say men should wait for a woman's consent. I say they should wait for an invitation. There's a difference. The former sounds like she's sighing, "Well if you must, you must. Let's just get it over with." The latter sounds like she's saying, "I love you and I want to express that with my body" (or maybe "This will be fun! Let's go!" ). BIG difference.
And yes, I do think a lot of religions have caused a lot of people undue distress, guilt, shame, etc. over a simple biological reality: that any species must have a drive to reproduce or die out. Just a theory, but I think much of that stems from male fear of "doing it wrong," which translates into fear and often even loathing of women as evil temptresses.
How in heck did sex ever get to be equated with something dirty? Or that virginity belongs to the man who "owns" a woman? Body ownership is everything, as it's inextricably tied to personal identity.
Well, that's my two cents.

It's written in Wikipedia that Darrel Ray “takes the stance that many human impulses, feelings and sexual behaviors are normal and can be desirable." No kiddin', Mr. Ray stems from Kansas, right in the Bible Belt. What do these people know about sex? They do it and nine months later a baby ploys out. But there's a lot more to it than that. “It can be desirable.” Indeed, winning the Power Ball Lottery could be desirable also.

My book, Saving Gaia, soon to be released states how the Prime Directive is the most important drive in life and reproduction is a major component. Consider that humans are the only species in all nature's array of fauna that has a full frontal genital display. (Gorillas and chimps are knuckle walkers.) This fact should be enjoyed and even celebrated. Religion would make us ashamed of this fact and many people actually are ashamed of their bodies as if they were somehow at fault.

Julie above brings out a very salient fact. Humans should realize the sublime ecstasy of the sex act and bring it to lofty, even spiritual levels. The ancient Greek poetess Sappho realized this. She wrote mostly for readers who for some reason were denied the wonder and joy of sex. This is definitely erotica rather than pornography. It's praise of Eros, the god of love, rather than Pan, the god of nature.

Since high school days I always had fun and fascination with etymology, the study of word deprivations. The word “pornography” etymologically is “the writings of prostitutes.” To the ladies of the night in most cases sex is a routine way to make money and I'm sure loses some of its delight, mystery and sense of wonder.

Couldn't be arsed with most modern stuff. I was content to read The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana. It is a good guide on how to live in harmony,

I haven't read the book, but your premise seems sound.

I have read it and as a woman, I was disappointed in his sexist views regarding the degradation of women. I realize he's an older man and likely has old fashioned views on the genders, but I took his pro porn stance to be offensive.

In the book, he talks a lot about pornography (the degradation of women for the sexual arousal of the viewer) as being a “sex positive” thing, but not at all about erotica (which celebrates positive healthy sexual love and attraction.) I very much wanted a clarification on this and his opinion.

So, while he was promoting his book, he was invited to speak for the Hawaii Secular Society a few years ago. I couldn't attend, so I wrote him a message, hoping my question could be addressed during his question/answer period. I asked these two questions for his clarification regarding the difference between porn and erotica. He didn't answer me. This is what I asked:

One: Do you feel that there is a difference between pornography and erotica?
Two: Do you feel that pornography actually stems from a misogynistic patriarchal religion?

I went on to quote some authorities on the difference for context. I suppose one person’s erotica can be another’s pornography, as the line is fuzzy. However, the real issue may be what promotes healthy sexuality versus what depicts people as mere disposable sex objects.

What do you all think after reading his book: Do you think pornography actually stems from patriarchal religion, as opposed to erotica which seems to stem from a more egalitarian and secular viewpoint?

Obviously, I'm of the opinion that porn (the degradation of a a person for the sexual arousal of another) stems from patriarchal religion - and erotica (more of a celebration of sexuality) stems from an egalitarian viewpoint.

No but I think I should now.

#Xinsanity

More Xinsanity?

No. But it does sound interesting. Have you read it?