Welcome to The Sanctuary of Sin Blog!
This week, we kicked off our deep dive into what might just be our favourite of the Seven Deadly Sins—Lust. In E3: Lust – The Sin That Built an Industry (Part 1), we unpack the complex, contradictory, and deeply political history of this primal human desire.
Lust is so much more than just sexual craving. It’s a driving force behind art, rebellion, religion, shame, empowerment—and entire industries. It’s a part of our biology, shaped and reshaped by every generation’s culture, values, and fears. When expressed consensually, it can deepen intimacy, fuel creativity, and spark joy. But throughout history, lust has been both celebrated and feared, used as a tool of both liberation and control.
🔥 What We Covered in Part 1
💋 Setting the Scene:
We explore lust not as a sin, but as a deeply human experience—something that can be healing, revolutionary, and joyful. And something that has always been dangerous to those who seek to control others.
📖 Historical Deep Dive:
We travel back to the 4th century with a hormonal teenager named Saint Augustine, who—after a mortifying boner at the Roman baths—essentially invented slut-shaming as we know it. His infamous Confessions rebranded sex as sinful, unless strictly for procreation, laying the groundwork for centuries of sexual guilt. Augustine believed sex itself was a result of original sin, and that the penis had a mind of its own (literally). One man’s unresolved teenage trauma became the foundation for sexual repression in Christianity.
⚔️ Demonization of Sexuality:
We trace how religion and early patriarchy turned lust—especially in women—into a threat. From matriarchal societies celebrating fertility, to Mesopotamian societies shifting power into patriarchal hands, we show how women’s sexuality was politicised, weaponised, and commodified.
With quotes from religious texts, political analysis, and historical records, we discuss how shame and control became tools to manage the masses—while male rulers and religious leaders often played by their own set of rules.
🌹 Sexual Liberation & Revolution:
We look at the sexual revolutions of the 20th century—from the invention of the contraceptive pill to the rise of free love, feminism, and queer rights. These movements helped break down centuries of religious dogma, paving the way for sex positivity and the idea that pleasure is not only valid, but necessary.
From 1960s protests to modern definitions of sexual health, we show how lust transformed from sin to a source of pride and power.
👀 What’s Coming in Part 2
Next week, we’re diving even deeper into lust’s legacy in E4: Lust – The Sin That Built an Industry (Part 2). We’ll explore the evolution of pornography, the history of sex work, and how this so-called “deadly sin” has become the foundation of billion-dollar industries. From sacred whores to OnlyFans, we’ll cover the stigma, the empowerment, and everything in between.
📚 References & Sources
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/06/19/how-st-augustine-invented-sex
https://feminisminindia.com/2017/06/22/religion-furthering-patriarchal-agenda/
https://www.theherbert.org/news/272/grown-up-in-the-1960s-the-sexual-revolution
https://www.bbc.co.uk/worklife/article/20210818-what-does-sex-positivity-mean
🎧 Listen Now:
Catch Episode 3: Lust – The Sin That Built an Industry (Part 1) now wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy the episode—and let us know your thoughts on lust, shame, and reclaiming desire in today’s world.
Stay sinful,
The Sanctuary of Sin Team
💋🔥⛓️