Religion and sexuality have often been closely related. New levels of religious commitment hardly formed the only theme in world history between 600 and 1450. Religion certainly added new vigor to the penalties associated with sexual violations. While Buddhists sometimes praised female spirituality, there was also frequent theme of women leading religious men into sexual temptation. Like mainstream Buddhism, the basic approach to sexuality in Christian tradition, as it developed in the centuries after the death of Jesus, differed strongly from the values of the classical civilizations. Christian ideas about sex affected three other major areas: prostitution, sexual culture, and homosexuality. With foundations in Judaism and Christianity, which Prophet Muhammad acknowledged as vital precursors of Islam, it was not surprising that there were many overlaps in beliefs and practices. Islam developed no systematic stake in claiming that chastity created highest spiritual state, or that sexuality was contrary to religious goals. Islam strongly emphasized the importance of female virginity before marriage.