This is the point I was alluding too, about monogamy.

I am sure even someone like Peter Hume (full of theoretical understandings and academic waffle) would be hard pressed in detracting from the joy that many monogamous life long partners feel about their lives and decisions.

Of course cheating on your partner is a very hurtful form of deceit, done usually out self interest or perceived need for gratification, as part of a fantasy, or even searching for the one, not satisfied or in love with the one you've got.

Mere sexual gratification is often the only reward many people have in their lives, hence the popularity of porn sites. Some people justify displays of peoples fetishes etc as educational.

But how does this enhance human existence ?. It doesn't.

It is much more effective to promote promiscuity when commercialism is the driver. The need for consumerism is also reduced if your sharing your life with someone.

Again I say I can't relate guilt to sex, but I can relate the to envy that people feel when they relate to ,or know, happy life partners, when they themselves can not find this elusive thing called love.

Religion may have blurred the lines between love and sex. The media and the promotion of promiscuity, have clearly seperated these two things.

As we grow older it all catches up. Like having a tattoo, promiscuity ends up biting you on the bum, ends up being something that you may regret. And for many be the fundamental cause of them not finding that partner ever.

Perhaps PH you can buy one,(a partner)with all those individual assets you must accruing, you can certainly rent one.

But guess what it isn't love.

Sex would never have had all the restrictions placed upon if not for religion. So I think that Suze has asked a pertinent question.

Speaking for myself regarding monogamy versus promiscuity.

A one night stand is very exciting but is really just super enhanced masturbation. With a loved partner, each knows (or should know) their partner's desires and preferences, sex can be more relaxed, less furtive and (this is just my belief) ultimately more satisfying. Lying in bed with the one you love, knowing they will be there in the morning (as opposed to: "how do I get this person out of my bed" after a one-nighter) is sublime.

And religion can keep its sticky little beak out of one's most private moments. This would also result in less persecution of gays as well.

To put the question another way, how could religion make sex better?

Oh God I'm coming.

Or as Saint Nike said 'just do it'.

Pericles:”Can someone explain what is it about sex that can invoke/create/generate guilt?”

Manoeuvring so the wet patch isn't where I'm going to sleep sometimes makes me feel a little guilty.

Its all about me me me me me me me me

Almost all primitive cultures have demonstrated taboos about whom one can procreate with or not; starting of course with incest, for valid biological reasons. That these taboos should have become incorporated into religions should not be surprising.
Equally from a biological standpoint, monogamy is more about the offspring than the participants. No matter how fond one is about the communal children, one's own children are the one's you would die for first.
Interesting studies have been made by swapping eggs of nesting birds of related species. It has been demonstrated on many occasions, that while the male of the species is indiscriminate about who he tries to shag, the female always goes for a male who resembles her father.
In traditional white culture, it has always been more 'shocking' to see a white girl with a black man, than the other way round. Just ask Spencer Tracy.
For the ancient Jews, and not so ancient Muslims, it was the only the adulterous woman who faced stoning.
it's hardly a coincidence that those christian factions which condone birth control are the ones most quickly dwindling in numbers.
I agree with Pelican. Guilt probably is 'more a woman thing'.