and "god" created us that way. Sure, he could have made us reach sexual maturity later, sure, he could have made us only want sex after we're married, sure, he could have made anything, but no. he wanted us to be hypersexual animals all year round, all day round[b said:Quote[/b] ]That said, it really does pain people (or just me) to try not to have sex, lust, or masturbate. Selevacy. Theese are natural urges of the body, like we need air to breather, and food to eay. Just as natural
it's not, it's good for you. (with moderation, etc)[b said:Quote[/b] ]I have struggled to see how sex and masturbation can somehow be destructive to the human spirit, or physically,
well, maybe not wanting to dream about sex bad enough could prevent you from dreaming about it.[b said:Quote[/b] ]So is dreaming about sex a sin too?It's not like you can help what you dream about.~Niki~
Your questions about clothing and perfume are way out in left field. First off let me say that women can wear what they want it's their body/temple of Christ, however I may not agree with it. If you are indeed a man ), I'm sure that you have seen a woman who dresses promiscuous (Not too hard in the USA). What does this do to you? What are you thinking about when you are scoping out her flesh? This is called lust my friend, you commit adultery in your heart. Why does this happen? God even states in the bible he made everything about a woman's body beautiful to man. Can you see where this is a problem when women are exposing more and more of their bodies? Do I really need to go any further? This doesn't mean they should wear something that covers their neck to their feet, this means be reasonable. Most women who dress like I said earlier know what they are doing. If they are not purposely trying to draw attention to themselves they are blind. Another thing that I'd like to point out is that it isn't easy either for women to buy appropriate clothing because men fashion designers are making the short-short-shorts and the tiny-winy-spagheti tops. However it is their choice how they want to represent their body, and that reflects on their character and either defiles or glorifies God.[b said:Quote[/b] (endparenthesis @ Aug. 06 2005,1:04)]Do you think it's ok for women to wear clothes that reveal their calves and necklines? Or for men to take their shirts off at the beach? Is it ok to use things like perfume and cologne? Is it ok to use positions besides a strict (and probably clothed) missionary position?[b said:Quote[/b] (Outsiders71 @ Aug. 06 2005,9:37)]True it is more televised but come on there is a serious problem with sexuality and sin today. Yes sex is a gift from God but look how many people abuse it. People are having sex at younger ages, before marriage where it was supposed to be used. God wants us to have sex but you are dishonoring God when you have sex before marriage. It's at marriage where two people are joined in one flesh. That's when that gift is appropriate. Look how people act, dress, think what's normal. Divorce rate is what 50%? Maybe it's just more obvious in my area than yours?
(I'll assume you'd answer "yes" to all of those, until you tell me otherwise... not that I really need to know about the last one)
Going back to puritans because they were a good example... you would in fact be a demonstration of what they were afraid of, wouldn't you? Like you they thought the devil was slowly luring people down that slippery sexual slope, until they were not only partaking in ungodly acts, but believing that God thought it was acceptable to be partaking in those acts.
You are the "horrible future" they envisioned, or part of it anyway.
Granted they probably were considered extreme even in their time... but, denominations aside, do you think their beliefs have merit? Or do you think that they were just people who had the wrong idea and were taking things to the extreme... that now that we've gathered more knowledge about the world, we just know better than they did?
It's all about perspective.
Sex is talked about in the Bible. One place you can reference it is in the Song of Solomon. I'll try to find the other places its listed. Anyways as a Christian you are supposed to be trying to become more like Christ. People have this misunderstanding about Christianity and that is that it's not easy. It is not a safe place where you can hide. Yes everyone has urges to want to have sex, it's called temptation. Whether or not you decide to give in is up to you, we were given the freedom of choice. The better your relationship with Christ and God becomes the more the holy spirit will be with you. It will help you fight off temptation.[b said:Quote[/b] (lol @ Aug. 06 2005,4:02)]Sex is an issue that you'll want to be weary of on the forums. But, the issue of sex is about the last issue around the bible that I don't have a good grasp on. Something about the morality of sex seems misconstrued, and the same of masturbation. I have found that the nature of sin usualy comes from the abuse of our human abilities and rights, or our bodies. Things that end up being somehow destructive in a physical way or spiritual way. I don't believe god makes rules for no reason, but rather to represent the nature and laws of the universe and reality that he created. If you go against the natural order, or his will, it is destructive. That said, it really does pain people (or just me) to try not to have sex, lust, or masturbate. Selevacy. Theese are natural urges of the body, like we need air to breather, and food to eay. Just as natural. While we need to look at ourselves as spiritual beings, we are still a soul, and the body a part of that soul. I have struggled to see how sex and masturbation can somehow be destructive to the human spirit, or physically, but I cannot find the answer in all theese years as I have most other things. It's rather enigmatic, and I believe there is something about it we just don't understand. I believe that theese things, like food, taken in moderation may not be bad, until it begins to take control of you, your life, and the way you act and think. A strong person in god should be able to avoid letting it get to that point. Just as we have all the power not to lie and steal, we can control where our bodies go and what we do with them. Yet there is just something that sounds "good" about being able to call myself a vergin. Perhaps with social implications, sex should be reserved for marriage alone...
You see that's what's so great about our savior Christ. He sacrificed himself on the cross and died for our sins. He was a man who NEVER sinned. What does this mean for you and for others? Develop a relationship with Christ, learn about him. If you are not familiar with Christ and who he was the best place to begin is in the bible. Read John in the new testament, it comes after Luke. I challenge you to read John, and learn about him.[b said:Quote[/b] (Trapper7 @ Aug. 06 2005,3:57)]Sex before marriage is bad?Oh boy am I in trouble! I must be going to hell~Niki~
Here's a good link about why masturbation is not good:[b said:Quote[/b] (TheAlphaWolf @ Aug. 06 2005,6:19)]and "god" created us that way. Sure, he could have made us reach sexual maturity later, sure, he could have made us only want sex after we're married, sure, he could have made anything, but no. he wanted us to be hypersexual animals all year round, all day round[b said:Quote[/b] ]That said, it really does pain people (or just me) to try not to have sex, lust, or masturbate. Selevacy. Theese are natural urges of the body, like we need air to breather, and food to eay. Just as natural
it's not, it's good for you. (with moderation, etc)[b said:Quote[/b] ]I have struggled to see how sex and masturbation can somehow be destructive to the human spirit, or physically,
well, maybe not wanting to dream about sex bad enough could prevent you from dreaming about it.[b said:Quote[/b] ]So is dreaming about sex a sin too?It's not like you can help what you dream about.~Niki~
so, where in the bible does it say sex is wrong or bad in any way? (I mean as in sexual content in TV and stuff, not sex before marriage)
So, what I'm really getting out of this is that we need more Russian and Siberian fashion designers. (don't let the crack make you miss the underlying point of this statement)[b said:Quote[/b] ] Another thing that I'd like to point out is that it isn't easy either for women to buy appropriate clothing because men fashion designers are making the short-short-shorts and the tiny-winy-spagheti tops.
What's... For dinner?? (No pun/slur intended!) The point being: you can look at someone's body without commiting a sin, or "scoping their flesh". You say the body is a temple, I say enjoy it. Should we destroy all of the medeival cathedrals of Europe because they are beautifu or because they inspire thoughts of granduer? Or maybe because the motivation for their construction was based in vanity and not solely for the Lord? Or how about the history behind their creation, taxation of the poor and so forth? Just because you enjoy some of the beauty that the lord has graced this Earth with, doesn't make you some kind of Satan-loving sin machine. See, here's the thing: I'm not saying that it's nice to oggle at some one because they are wearing revealing clothing, or that you should have sexual thoughts every time you see a part of the leg above the ankle, but you can enjoy beauty without being lustful. See, that's the problem with today's generations: there's no concept of difference between erotic and romantic.[b said:Quote[/b] ]What are you thinking about when you are scoping out her flesh?
And I thank him for it! You can feel free to look at my above responses if you feel this was merely a cheap opporatunity to crack a joke.[b said:Quote[/b] ]God even states in the bible he made everything about a woman's body beautiful to man.
Ever had a nightmare? A terrible dream? (Make the connection?) I don't think I really need to say more than that.[b said:Quote[/b] ] Think about it this way if you truely believed in your heart that it was wrong and against God's will to do, could you see yourself doing that? So what does this mean?
He is! So get your nose out of that book and appreciate the world around you! There is the message of God in everything around us![b said:Quote[/b] ]Jesus is so amazing!
Why not Allosaurz? Not so far off topic. If we can morph this into a discussion of physics and billions and billions of stars surrounding the earth in the firmament of the cosmos, why not turn literally into ourselves--that is, at least us guys--and ponder the billions and billions of swimmers surrounding the firmness of our prostate.[b said:Quote[/b] (ALLOSAURZ @ Aug. 06 2005,11:01)]Actually not to get off topic but regardless of whether or not masturbation is sinful it still has it's benefits aside from pleasure such as reducing the risks of prostate cancer http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3072021.stm
My point was that there have been christians in the past who would see things that don't bother you (conservative dresses and bathing suits and such) as just as bad as the short-short-shorts you're talking about. Bare ankles conjure sinful thoughts... perfume is used to lure and intoxicate... yada yada.[b said:Quote[/b] (Outsiders71 @ Aug. 06 2005,9:40)]Your questions about clothing and perfume are way out in left field. First off let me say that women can wear what they want it's their body/temple of Christ, however I may not agree with it. If you are indeed a man ), I'm sure that you have seen a woman who dresses promiscuous (Not too hard in the USA). What does this do to you? What are you thinking about when you are scoping out her flesh? This is called lust my friend, you commit adultery in your heart. Why does this happen? God even states in the bible he made everything about a woman's body beautiful to man. Can you see where this is a problem when women are exposing more and more of their bodies? Do I really need to go any further? This doesn't mean they should wear something that covers their neck to their feet, this means be reasonable. Most women who dress like I said earlier know what they are doing. If they are not purposely trying to draw attention to themselves they are blind. Another thing that I'd like to point out is that it isn't easy either for women to buy appropriate clothing because men fashion designers are making the short-short-shorts and the tiny-winy-spagheti tops. However it is their choice how they want to represent their body, and that reflects on their character and either defiles or glorifies God.
The funny thing is... the biggest complaint the skeptics usually have is that they feel that the believers have already planned not to accept anything they read here.[b said:Quote[/b] (Rubra @ Aug. 06 2005,11:37)]Well, whaddya know. I come back from vacation and we've got another big discussion going. And I thought these kinds of topic were banned. I do not plan to get all involved in defending in writing the way of Life against skeptics who don't even plan to accept anything they read hear (I hope I'm not offending anyone, I only speak from experience.) I will, however, say a few things.