(March 3, 2014 at 5:29 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: OK, I'm done trying to have an honest discussion about religion with you because you're not discussing anything honestly. However, I can't resist setting you straight on this point:
(March 3, 2014 at 10:12 am)discipulus Wrote: The bible condemns lustful acts and warns that allowing lust to consume you can only ultimately end up hurting you. This is not controversial unless you feel that acting upon lust is somehow beneficial. A position I have yet to see rationally defended.
Well then, you haven't spoken with very many people on the subject, at least none outside the prudish and hypocritical circles of Christianity.
Lust itself isn't bad nor is acting on it between consenting adults necessarily bad.
True, there are bad stories you can tell about lust, ones that involve for example stalking, harassment, deception or callousness. This only means that stalking, harassment, deception or callousness are bad. The logical fallacies here are over-reliance on anecdotal evidence and assumption of correlation proving causation, a.k.a. "post hoc ergo propter hoc". In this case, the latter fallacy is expressed as, "Here are stories about lust and deception; therefore lust involves deception"
Let me personal about this. I've had what I've called "dear friends", and have since learned that the colloquial is "friends with benefits." At all times that I've indulged in casual sex or in sex with friends-but-not-a-committed-relationship, whatever you call it, I've always made sure to use protection, avoid deception and respect the rights of the other.
On one occasion, the "lustful" sex was quite therapeutic for the other. She was a divorced woman. I didn't ask the details but I gathered it was a nasty one. She was not ready for another relationship and made that clear to me. We kept in touch as friends by email for a while afterwards. She told me how I showed her such a romantic time and helped her to heal. Last I heard, she was getting married having found a better man than before. I was happy for her and wished her well.
The rules I follow in and out of the bedroom are simple:
1. Act with integrity
2. Respect the rights of others
3. Take responsibility for your actions
These are simple rules of morality. Stay within these bounds and you can lust all you like.
Rational enough for you?
You and I will disagree on this and that is fine.
I have much to say on the subject and may do so in a separate thread if I have time.
