[kosta50]

Augustine and Pope Gregory the Great viewed that the only place for sex in marriage is procreation

I agree. The idea that sex in marriage is also "recreational" and just for "marital pleasure" is a novel one, I would even dare say latter 20th century innovation.

For centuries on end, the Church held that sex has only procreative function. Any pleasure derived form it was from the devil. This was the basis for +Augustine's Confessions and his belief that, like Satan, concupiscence enslaves us.

Modern Christianity (all of it) views sex differently than even 100 years ago. Where does it say in the Scripture that sex was created by God for any other purpose than procreation? Where does it say that sex is also to be used to "give pleasure" to one's spouse, for "recreation?"

[adiaireton8]

Any pleasure derived form it was from the devil. This was the basis for +Augustine's Confessions and his belief that, like Satan, concupiscence enslaves us.

That is not an accurate depiction of Augustine's position. He does not think that sexual pleasure is evil.

-A8

[redgolum]

I agree. The idea that sex in marriage is also "recreational" and just for "marital pleasure" is a novel one, I would even dare say latter 20th century innovation.

I wouldn't say that. The real Purtians had a rather interesting view of martial sex. A husband could be put in the stocks for not fulfilling his martial duty enough. Which is pretty ironic when you see how the word "Puritan" is used today.