Interestingly, I just read a draft of a short novel set in an alternative England in which most European people did not convert to Christianity during the latter part of the Roman Empire.

The author explores (rather lustily in places!) what society might look like if the dominant religion were generally sex positive and affirming instead of repressive.

"No dear," says one character after a religious concert celebrating Lupercalia. "I'm not staying for the orgy after the feast. I'm just that tired today! But don't let me spoil your evening. I'll see you at home."

The writing feels jarring for me, because I can't fully imagine what it would feel like to live in a society where sex is not presumed to be inherently... dangerous and even immoral under anything but exactly the right circumstances.

I can know what it feels like to flout those conventions. (I do know!) But I can't know what it feels like not to have internalized the values on some level.

I can feel that tension in your description of the FaceTime conversation.

I'm glad to read your story about this topic!