What do they have in common? Their work stands at the nexus of sex and religion, historically odd bedfellows. Hosted by Canadian broadcast journalist and writer, Laurie Brown, Sex + Religion asks rabbis, priests, philosophers, prostitutes and polygamists, to shed light onto what role, if any, sex plays in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

This 13-part series explores the world’s four major religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism while ministers, rabbis, imams, priests and other religious experts give us insight into how ordinary people can reconcile their sexuality and their love of God.

Programming Note: Our current broadcast run of Sex + Religion will conclude with the Monday, Feb. 25 episode. Watch for a host of inspirational and thought provoking Monday night documentaries to air throughout March, April and May in the 10pm ET/7pm PT time slot.

EPISODE BROADCAST SCHEDULE
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#101: In Praise of Sex
Monday, Jan. 28 at 10pm ET/7pm PT

Paul, a Christian pastor, was inspired by his own infidelity to create the 30-Day Sex Challenge, a plan to strengthen couples emotionally and physically. Dr. Heba Kotb, Islam’s only female sexologist, courts controversy in the East and the West.

#102: Divine Art
Monday, Feb. 4 at 10pm ET/7pm PT

How far can artists go in depicting sex in a religious context, and at what point do religious objections become censorship? Actor Leonard Nimoy’s photography took him on a search for the feminine aspect of God, and Diana Thorneycroft uses her photography to take on the Catholic Church.

#103: Virginity
Monday, Feb. 11 at 10pm ET/7pm PT

Exploring the notion of purity, and why virginity is so prized in major religions. We interview kids who were given a talk on chastity, go to a father-daughter “purity ball” in South Carolina, and talk to a doctor specializing in hymen reconstruction surgery.

#104: Sex and Religion on Display
Friday, Feb. 18 at 10pm ET/7pm PT

What happens when openly religious people also openly express their sexuality in a creative way? Jewish actress/comedian Jamie Sneider and Mormon Chad Hardy create provocative calendars, while Muslim artist Makan Emadi takes a risk with his paintings.

#105: Contraception
Monday, Feb. 25 at 10pm ET/7pm PT

Exploring the issue of contraception in religion: we look at the history of contraception with Percy Skuy, speak to a renegade Catholic bishop, and discover how Cape Town’s mosques and churches have been both allies and obstacles to an AIDS organization.