... or, biblical interpretation and biblical communities

As it is understood within dominant Judeo-Christian interpretive traditions, the Bible is the basis for control over sexuality.

Why?

Because doing so is a method for which to control the social-political order.

Like it or not, sex is at the nexus of social-political relationships and behaviors.

It reflects role distribution and facilitates survival of the community.

In the past, that aspect was more intimately felt than in our more modern context in which we are faced with threats of overpopulation.

With that said, we should read biblical injunctions on marriage first as motivated by concerns for social-political stability rather than an attempt to define a "sacred institution."