The Wages of Sin: Sex and Disease, Past and Present

by Peter Lewis Allen

Near the end of the century, a new and terrifying disease arrives suddenly from a distant continent. Infecting people through sex, it storms from country to country, defying all drugs and medical knowledge. The deadly disease provokes widespread fear and recrimination; medical authorities call the epidemic "the just rewards of unbridled lust"; a religious leader warns that "God has raised up new diseases against debauchery." The time was the 1490s; the place, Europe; the disease, syphilis; and the religious leader was none other than John Calvin.

Throughout history, Western society has often viewed sickness as a punishment for sin. It has failed to prevent and cure diseases—especially diseases tied to sex—that were seen as the retribution of a wrathful God. The Wages of Sin , the remarkable history of these diseases, shows how society's views of particular afflictions often heightened the suffering of the sick and substituted condemnation for care. Peter Allen moves from the medieval diseases of lovesickness and leprosy through syphilis and bubonic plague, described by one writer as "a broom in the hands of the Almighty, with which He sweepeth the most nasty and uncomely corners of the universe." More recently, medical and social responses to masturbation in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and AIDS in the twentieth round out Allen's timely and erudite study of the intersection of private morality and public health. The Wages of Sin tells the fascinating story of how ancient views on sex and sin have shaped, and continue to shape, religious life, medical practice, and private habits.

Genres: History, Sexuality, Nonfiction

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books I picked up while I was out of town just because I wanted something to read. I wasn't sure what to expect, but a historical review of the ravages of syphilis, the plague, HIV, and other infectious diseases in regard to religion and government sounded very interesting. Turns out, the book was written by a gay man who lived through and lost many friends to AIDS in the 1980's. Though he was not a scientist, his observations of the way in which religious and government institutions reacted to the AIDS epidemic led him to research similar outbreaks of 'sinful' diseases in history and how they were dealt with. This was a great disease book from a perspective I don't usually get. Very interesting and enlightening!

[Amy Prenskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most astonishing book I have ever picked up.
I love material that gets the brain juices flowing, and this is the book to do it.
It will make you shake your head & sigh out-loud as you read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting, especially in these covid days. Author takes historical look at how religion (primarily Christian) has approached illness since early medieval days. He looks at "lovesickness" which is not really clear as to what illness that was, perhaps depression or other mental illness, or just a handy term for any non infectious illness. Also, leprosy, syphilis, plague, masturbation, and AIDS. Well, as you might imagine from the title, the church is not very helpful, and basically, even now, regards illness as god's judgment upon a sinner. As the world has become more secular, it has gotten better, but the aids fights of the 80's definitely show the power the established Christian church hierarchies still hold. Of course, across all times and places, there were deeply religious folks who acted with kindness and compassion towards the ill. Sadly, those seem to be more the exception than the rule - and it seems that generally church bureaucracies were generally not compassionate and much more interested in self preservation than rendering service.

Other general observations, throughout 2020 (and now 2021) I hear well meaning folks stating things like the Christian supporters of Donald Trump and other right wingers are not "truly" Christian. Well, when you look at the overwhelming history of the church, the MAGA folks are acting just as eons of historical Christians have. That is who they are. Condemning and judgmental, and always trying to enforce their beliefs on others.

Second, many liberals seem to say things like we just need to wait for this group of old racist white folks to die, and then things will get better. (Think Mitch McConnell for example) Well, as I read the AIDS chapter in this book, lots of old white republican politicians names came up. Reagan, Pat Buchanan, Jerry Falwell (the elder), Jesse Helms amongst others. These guys from the 1980's are dead or very near to it. Yet, nothing changed, they have been replaced by others with similar beliefs. Simply waiting them out is not going to effect change.

[University of Chicago Magazine]

Peter Lewis Allen, AM'79, PhD'94
Author

From our pages (Oct/00): "By tracing the idea that sickness is a result of sin—whether syphilis in the 1490s or AIDS today—Allen chronicles how ancient views on sex and sin continue to shape contemporary religious life, medical practices, and individual habits."

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant description of a "behind the scenes" look at how society has shaped our views on medical issues. I usually pawn off non-fictional work as a bore, but this is an almost gripping narrative that drips with historical goodies and stories your history teacher never shared with you.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may be a text book but it's sooo interesting. There is a chart inside that cracks me up. It's the history of how sex and disease occurred and how religious beliefs felt about it.

[Judy]

interesting. cause to consider the motives of public awareness campaigns.

[Luaunna · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting read, about the way in which disease was dealt with in a previous time

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facinating