(February 4, 2016 at 11:56 am)athrock Wrote: What is the purpose of sex?

For pleasure.

(February 4, 2016 at 11:54 am)KevinM1 Wrote: From a meta perspective, I find it both odd and amusing that Christians regularly start threads like this and the ones about NDE fueled atheist conversions as though they're somehow going to sway us (back) over to god.  "Let's use people who were once like them, or people they otherwise support to weaken their resolve!"  But, the thing is, actual skeptics aren't swayed by anecdotes.  Testimony, which is what religion relies on to spread the power/glory/grace/goodness/whatever of god doesn't work on us.  We need data.  We need things that can be measured and tested.  Anything else is a waste of time, especially when, in the case of the NDEs, things can either be explained by a dozen or more mundane causes or by the person simply being a liar.

In this case, a gay Catholic is okay with celibacy.  Who fucking cares?  He's not the spokesman for the nonexistent gay hive mind.  I mean, yeah, cool story, bro, but it doesn't really matter to me that this guy chose celibacy.  I'm not Catholic and his opinion doesn't mean much in a society that largely is for gay marriage, adoption, etc.

Translation:

"True scots...er...atheists won't be swayed by these stories of former atheists who have reached alternative conclusions. Those atheists who converted were pansies - everyone of them. Not "actual atheists" like those of us real, manly atheists who are still here. No, sirree."

(February 4, 2016 at 11:58 am)houseofcantor Wrote:

If the OP cannot speak his mind in his own words, what is the point?

Food for discussion, dude.

Don't look now, but people ARE talking about the points in the OP.

(February 4, 2016 at 12:00 pm)Kitan Wrote: For pleasure.

The answer he was looking for, though, was "Reproduction."

To which I say:  So, where are you asking all heterosexuals who can't have children to be celibate?  I'm guessing you're already against contraception (in which case FUCK YOU, you fucking piece of shit).  Oh yeah, and you're not railing against people like Catholic_Lady either who says she times her sex so that she doesn't get pregnant (not sure how that's been working for her so well, but good for her if it works for her).  Which means she's not having sex for Reproduction either.  Yet you're not expecting any of these people to be celibate.  So it's complete and utter bullshit to use this response.

(February 4, 2016 at 12:04 pm)Divinity Wrote:

(February 4, 2016 at 12:00 pm)Kitan Wrote: For pleasure.

The answer he was looking for, though, was "Reproduction."

To which I say:  So, where are you asking all heterosexuals who can't have children to be impotent?  I'm guessing you're already against contraception (in which case FUCK YOU, you fucking piece of shit).  Oh yeah, and you're not railing against people like Catholic_Lady either who says she times her sex so that she doesn't get pregnant (not sure how that's been working for her so well, but good for her if it works for her).  Which means she's not having sex for Reproduction either.  Yet you're not expecting any of these people to be celibate.  So it's complete and utter bullshit to use this response.

I know the answer to which he was looking, but sex is not merely, solely, for the purpose of reproduction.

(February 4, 2016 at 11:56 am)athrock Wrote:

(February 4, 2016 at 11:54 am)Kitan Wrote: And fuck you, too, for believing in that ignorant rubbish.

What is the purpose of sex?

The Catholic belief, of course, is that the purpose of sex is for procreation only.  That has problems on so very many levels that I have even heard priests make fun of it in the middle of a wedding sermon.  One priest said "sex between a married couple is also for emotional bonding, and is necessary even when one member of the couple is found to be infertile, or in later life".  Of course, he was only talking to straight people that were married in the Catholic Church.  The idea that sex is for procreation only is a remnant of tribal days:  more children = bigger tribe = success.  Someone engaging in sexual acts that did not lead to reproduction was being a traitor to the tribe.

Some priests will tell you that homosexuality is not a choice, and that the homosexual was created that way by god.

Homosexual acts are not evil or disordered - they occur throughout the spectrum of nature.  Homosexual behavior has been observed in most mammalian species.

(February 4, 2016 at 11:59 am)robvalue Wrote: Oooooh boy...

Another Christian homophobe.

To all the other Christians who may be reading, don't worry, I don't take people like this to be representative.

We shouldn't be critical of homophobes, rob. They can't help it if they were born that way.

Yeah, it's true. Scientists have discovered that the genetic basis for homophobia is actually more common than the genetics for homosexuality itself.

So, don't be upset with the homophobe, rob. Homophobes were born that way, and we need to understand and nurture them...and let them be who they are without judgment.

Purpose is an entirely subjective value judgement. So the purpose of sex, or of anything, is whatever you decide it is.

(February 4, 2016 at 11:39 am)athrock Wrote:

(February 4, 2016 at 10:44 am)Irrational Wrote: Well, exactly my point. Perhaps not everyone wants to live like that. Give me one good reason why I should place restrictions imposed by your or his religion on how I should live.

Because if these "restrictions" are from God, it would be wise to follow them.

I disagree that it would be wise.

(February 4, 2016 at 12:00 pm)Kitan Wrote:

(February 4, 2016 at 11:56 am)athrock Wrote: What is the purpose of sex?

For pleasure.

That's one reason.

Keep thinking...ask your mom if you need help.