What IS good, and how do we determine it?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Sex does not have a purpose.

Wait, sex isn't about bragging rights?

Crap. Crap, crap, crap.

[robvalue]

For those of you who have seen Coupling, here's Patrick's offensive take on commitment and sex

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I don't share my woman. It's like a favourite tennis racquet. When you find one you really like using, you keep on using it until it falls apart and you have to get a new one. Only more emotional.

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[Catholic_Lady]

CL: Thanks Sure, your post talks about extra marital sex. But it sounds like you oppose gay marriage and gay sex. I can't understand why.

Remember that marriage is now entirely secular, any religious aspect is entirely optional. I understand keeping religious beliefs when believers get married, but why would you want to deny non Christian gays the right to get married and then have sex? I'm not getting it.

I get the feeling you wouldn't actually deny it, that you wouldn't actively oppose the passing of laws to allow gay marriage.

I'll leave the issue now, I've had my say

I absolutely think that 2 men or 2 women aught to have the same rights under state law. Though I do believe that marriage, in the Catholic sense, is definitive of a male/female relationship.

Regardless of my views on the morality of this though, I would never say that any 2 consenting adults should not be allowed to be together. It is their right to make that decision, and I respect their right to do so!

I don't think any sex outside of husband and wife is moral, whether it is between 2 people of the opposite sex or 2 people of the same sex. And I know it is hard for you to understand why I believe this. I don't blame you! It is one of those things that doesn't mean anything unless you believe in God, since I use God in my explanation of it.

[robvalue]

Thanks for explaining.

Although I really can't understand, it is good that you appreciate that I can't, and you take ownership of your beliefs. And the fact that you wouldn't allow your beliefs to lead you to actively mess in someone's affairs is brilliant. Sadly, a lot of people do, and not just theists.

It's actions that count, it doesn't matter what goes on in someone's head as long as it doesn't lead them to do something unfair or harmful to others.

I hope more people follow your example.

As one last talking point though: how would you feel if you were gay? Would you love a god that wanted you to supress your nature, just because of him, even if it wasn't hurting anyone else? A teen recently killed herself because she couldn't stand the idea that God was displeased with her just for being who she was.

[Catholic_Lady]

Well, time to go to bed.

I will leave tonight saying that I have received some very kind messages from several individuals just in the past 2 days that I have been a member!

I am humbled by the kindness I have been shown here by multiple people. I know many of you have been deeply hurt and ostracized by Christians.

Thank you for giving me a chance!

[Cyberman]

How do you know anything about what "God" wants, Lady?

[robvalue]

Good night! It's great to have you here

I wouldn't say so much we've been hurt by Christians here, just annoyed and disappointed. Most of them end up on my ignore list, but not before I've given them a fair shake as much as I would anyone else.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Wow, well this thread has turned into a regular kumbaya around the campfire.

[Alex K]

51 pages of kumbayah!

[ignoramus]

Catholic_Lady. You are going to work early and you're up at 3:00am!
You must love discussing this stuff with us!  hehe.   We're happy if you're happy.

fight the good fight!

Why I rarely bother discussing these topics (with anyone - (I'm in it for the dirty jokes!)) is that if you were born in eg: middle east, china, Eastern Europe, Africa etc, all your "absolutes" would be different.  This categorically proves (to me) that the whole notion of "which god" and "objective morality" is subjective and relative.
So basically your most personal beliefs are a direct result of the geo political climate you happen to be born in.

Catch tomorrow.

Thank you so much for the kind words, but you are giving me way too much credit!

I actually do not have to get up early to work. My husband had to get up early to work, and I like to get up with him to see him off and prepare his breakfast/lunch. I actually don't have a job currently. My husband is an Air Force pilot and we currently live in a very small town in the Middle-of-Nowhere, Texas. So I stay home and take care of house work and of our cats.

I agree with you that if I was born in the middle east I would probably be Muslim. I'd like to think I'd convert to Christianity, but I cannot say for sure since I have never been in that position.

Either way, I do not think the fact that there are many religions out there is a disproof of God. I believe it makes it tricky to *choose* one and have faith in it, but I do not believe it disproves all of them. In the end of the day, ONE of us is right... even if that is you, fellow atheist!

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Hello again CL ...
You're obviously happy with your religion. I should point out though is that you never had a choice in the matter.
Your indoctrination made sure of that. (I don't say that in a bad way)
If you were born a muslim, you would've been equally proud of that religion as the ONE TRUE religion. (Again via indoctrination)
An extremely small % of adults find god or convert outside of childhood indoctrination.

Anyway, on to the serious stuff now! I've got "HachiBabba", my chocolate oriental sitting on my lap as I type this! (spoilt beyong repair)
What sort of cats to you have? We have several "crazy" cat ladies here also.

catch...