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Why do the Copts look at sex as a taboo?

Sex is not a taboo. The Holy Bible differentiates between sex within and outside marriage. We read in the Holy Bible, "God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created man; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it" (Gen. 1:27-28), "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good" (Gen 1:31). So the male-female distinction, the reproductive process, and the pleasure associated with it, is part of the good world as God created it.

St. Paul commands  husbands and wives not to deprive one another unless they both agree for a period of prayer and fasting. But then he tells them to come together again so they can avoid temptation (1 Cor 7:5).

So the Holy Bible clearly teaches that physical love between husband and wife is a good thing. It also teaches that celibacy and virginity embraced for the sake of dedicating oneself more completely to the Lord are good things. The Bible regards sex in marriage to be a good gift that is blessed by God (1 Cor 7:7).

Sex is the physical expression of the union between husband and wife. Scripture says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Gen 2:24). Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "They are no longer two, but one flesh," and "what God has joined together, let no man put apart" (Mt 19:6).

Therefore, the Holy Bible rejects sex outside of marriage. When two people are married, God joins the two and they become one body. But if the symbol and expression of that oneness is breached by having sex outside marriage, then, God becomes displeased.

St. Paul wrote, "Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For 'the two' He says, "shall become one flesh" (1 Cor 6:16). Indulging in the physical act of union where there is no marital oneness is a gross violation of God's holy design for sex. It is for this very reason that sex outside of marriage, (fornication and adultery), is condemned in Scripture. Scripture clearly warns us that fornicators and adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10). It is the Holy Spirit Who sanctifies the marriage bond so that it becomes a spiritual bond. That is why St. Paul says: "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled" (Heb 13:4). It is the Holy Spirit Who blesses and sanctifies this bond; therefore, what God has joined let no man separate.

It is for these reasons we should not discuss this matter or talk about it, except with those who perceive sex in this holy way and our discussions should be done with all reverence and respect to this great mystery.