By Carrie Knific

Christianity vs. Sex: a topic surrounded by so much taboo and controversy that some are afraid to discuss it. But Francis D. “Frank” Ritter’s new book, “Sex, Lies, and the Bible,” aims to dispel the illusions and lies that he says Christian authorities are implementing to distort society’s attitudes toward sexuality.

In his book, Ritter, a lifelong Catholic, claims that so-called morality experts, which he calls “controllers,” have manipulated pieces of history and excerpts from the Bible to enforce restrictions on culture that God never intended.

“We are being controlled by those who create our fears, demand our denials and then manipulate us by using those fears and denials against us,” he writes.

However, he does not expect the reader to take his word at face value and often quotes verses from the Bible.

“I don’t say ‘Believe me.’ I say ‘Here’s the verse – look at it,” Ritter said.

Ritter divides the book into five parts. The first few analyze sexual practices in history, from Babylonian standards to biblical laws. He ends the book with a segment on what he believes are the modern truths of sexuality.

Throughout the book, he focuses on six sexual proclivities and their acceptance throughout cultures: extramarital sex, masturbation, homosexuality, bestiality, adultery and incest.

According to Ritter, we should feel free to participate in any of these activities without fear of religious damnation.

“I’m not advocating screwing everything that walks,” he said. “There are many terrific reasons to stay a virgin. But if you’re doing that because someone told you you’re going to Hell because that’s what it says in the Bible, I don’t think that’s right.”

Ritter maintains Moses and St. Paul are the first of these “controllers” and are to blame for the stigma and tensions attached to sex today. He writes that Christ would have outlawed the sexual proclivities directly if he truly condemned them.

Ritter admits he writes enthusiastically and said there are some segments about bestiality and incest where he is riled up and even agitated with the Bible’s teachings.

“Think about the words that the controllers have attributed to Christ as a means of controlling us, for they are lie all of them, lies!” writes Ritter.

Ritter said he exposes these lies hoping people will learn to think for themselves.

Readers of this book should be open-minded about religion and sex to best tolerate Ritter’s rantings. For example, readers will run into some interesting knowledge on the fondness male dolphins have for humans or the history behind the term “lap dog.”

Ritter’s highly conversational style includes rants with excessive use of exclamation points and bold font. He drives his point across and works his thesis down to the bone. Ritter invests so much energy in his topic that readers may find it hard to ignore his arguments. In the end, “Sex, Lies, and the Bible” is a labor of love in its rawest form.

The book will be available at most major booksellers in January 2007.