Kyrie eleison posted:

attention stupid human being

Kyrie eleison posted:

I apologize in advance for this post.

I should just be honest, I am a homosexual. At least in part. I have known since I was young. And I suspect most men are, to some extent, even if they aren't fully aware of it, or don't want to admit it to themselves or to others. I think science such as Kinsey supports this. (This isn't meant to be a challenge to anyone, I just want to establish that I believe it to be a common temptation, despite the popular belief it is something only a small subset of men experience.)

I think homosexuality comes partly out of love, but partly out of sin. It is love that attracts us to someone's heart. It is love that breaks through the fear of betrayal. But my rational mind, which is in tune with truth, which is God, tells me that I should prefer a wife, and to try to have children. If I choose not to procreate, and universalize that principle, then I spell the separation of the sexes and the death of the species. If there is a cultural shift in which good people evade procreation, I believe the results will be nothing less than catastrophic. I can't endorse that. In short, I view it as an obligation to humanity itself, to the future, to harmony with the female sex, and to my family, to keep it going. It is a responsibility. My misgivings with women, born out of experience, will have to be worked through and laid aside in a spirit of humility, honesty, truth, and love, in the hopes of lasting union between the sexes. I know I can fall in love with women, I have done so many times before, I'm just afraid to try because I don't want to be hurt. My preference for men, who share so many of my interests, who are usually much kinder to my heart, must be kept at the boundary of sex. I must work hard and dutifully to achieve a sex life that does not make me feel unholy, and I should resist sex otherwise. I am grateful that my sin is not punishable by the state, or by the church, although I have to admit that would probably make it easier to avoid, but only out of fear, which corrupts the soul. It may be hard to face, but it is the truth, and I trust in God to get me through, and to never fear the truth, but to be humbled by it!

The words and actions of Christ tell us that the only moral alternative to marriage and (attempted) procreation is celibate devotion to God, which is actually held to be an even higher and more spiritual choice than marriage, because romance and sex are sacrificed. In practice, sexual activity is common amongst many supposedly celibate people, to the extent celibacy seems sometimes like a lie, an outer shield used to protect people from criticism rather than a true dedication. I cannot endorse a hypocritical and dishonest "celibacy" that is actually filled with sex, but I greatly respect the discipline of sincere spiritual abstinence, including from pornography and masturbation, in the same sense I respect fasting.

Of course, in these times, I interact with many openly homosexual people and find them to generally be very kind and fun. I am, in a sense, one of them. Some are members of my church community, and everyone gets along great there and supports one another. I support them against those who condemn them, I enjoy their company, and again, this is because of love. I think homosexual monogamy is less sinful than heterosexual promiscuity. So I believe it is a sin, a sin I myself commit, a sin I truly wish I did not, a sin I confess now and in the confessional, and a sin I pray to God to help me with. And I admire those who either commit to true celibacy, or achieve healthy marriages.

Sorry again for talking about myself so much, but homosexuality comes up a lot in relation to Christianity and it seemed appropriate and even necessary that I finally share my experience and thoughts on the issue. I hope my words do not inspire any sadness, that is not my intention. To address the point of your post a bit, I think Paul sometimes got angry with the church community's decadence and tried to keep it in line so it would leave a positive impression on the surrounding community. At times, he could be rough, it is true. My advice is to simply understand how he feels, know he is speaking from his heart, and realize that Paul himself, as I believe most men do, likely struggled with the issue.

BrandorKP posted:

rudatron posted:

I can't agree with Hick, even syncretism is just way too religious-centric for what I mean. I just don't see how it must precede pure existential materialism. Obviously for a christian it would be necessary to transition through such a syncretism, but I'm still not convinced it's necessary for everyone. Nor do I think existentialism is incompatible with islam, it's just that it as a matter of state is not there. It may just be a matter of historical coincidence or (more likely) related to material development.

Blue Star posted:

Kyrie eleison:

What is Heaven like? What do you expect to happen when you get there? Will we have physical bodies of some kind, or will we just be floating points of light? Will we still get to eat, drink, enjoy physical activities? Will there be music, art, sports, swimming pools, theaters, libraries, etc.? Will we get to change how we look and customize our physical appearance as much as we want, like in a really advanced VR game?

Blue Star posted:

Kyrie eleison:

What is Heaven like? What do you expect to happen when you get there? Will we have physical bodies of some kind, or will we just be floating points of light? Will we still get to eat, drink, enjoy physical activities? Will there be music, art, sports, swimming pools, theaters, libraries, etc.? Will we get to change how we look and customize our physical appearance as much as we want, like in a really advanced VR game?

wheez the roux posted:

Blue Star posted:

Kyrie eleison:

What is Heaven like? What do you expect to happen when you get there? Will we have physical bodies of some kind, or will we just be floating points of light? Will we still get to eat, drink, enjoy physical activities? Will there be music, art, sports, swimming pools, theaters, libraries, etc.? Will we get to change how we look and customize our physical appearance as much as we want, like in a really advanced VR game?

Kyrie eleison posted:

It's a state of eternal happiness which we cannot presently comprehend, outside of brief moments of religious ecstasy. We will have our current bodies in heaven, but they will be perfected into 'spiritual bodies' or 'glorified bodies'. I don't know precisely what will be there.

Kyrie eleison posted:

It's a state of eternal happiness which we cannot presently comprehend, outside of brief moments of religious ecstasy. We will have our current bodies in heaven, but they will be perfected into 'spiritual bodies' or 'glorified bodies'. I don't know precisely what will be there.

Kyrie eleison posted:

It's a state of eternal happiness which we cannot presently comprehend, outside of brief moments of religious ecstasy. We will have our current bodies in heaven, but they will be perfected into 'spiritual bodies' or 'glorified bodies'. I don't know precisely what will be there.

CommieGIR posted:

Ah, the age old dellusion that tries to make the afterlife a warm and fuzzy place instead of, you know, just dying.

Everybody wants to believe there is life after death, but nobody has ever shown that their is.

And 'feeling it in your heart' or 'voices in your head' are not valid confirmations of god and the afterlife.

Vaall posted:

Hey his version of the afterlife is boring as gently caress. There's this other one I hear of where you get an abundance of underage virgins.

wheez the roux posted:

in my heaven you can boot some fuckin fire dope and hit fat lines of molly with clean coke all day and never have a heart attack or a problem getting/maintaining an erection. if there's a that religion promises me that and a bunch of hot chicks with neat personalities i might be interested. probably not though, because death is certain and there's nothing else. so i guess just do drugs and plow people you like as much as possible on earth until you die. or dudes if thats your thing. or both, or whatever gender non-binary options youre into

wheez the roux posted:

in my heaven you can boot some fuckin fire dope and hit fat lines of molly with clean coke all day and never have a heart attack or a problem getting/maintaining an erection. if there's a that religion promises me that and a bunch of hot chicks with neat personalities i might be interested. probably not though, because death is certain and there's nothing else. so i guess just do drugs and plow people you like as much as possible on earth until you die. or dudes if thats your thing. or both, or whatever gender non-binary options youre into

zeal posted:

Friend, at the earliest opportunity I recommend you make sacrifice to Dionysus, god of wine and ecstatic revelry.

SedanChair posted:

Isn't it sensualist to imagine yourself in the bosom of god just peaking on spiritual acid for eternity? It makes you sound like a junkie.

Blue Star posted:

Kyrie eleison:

What is Heaven like? What do you expect to happen when you get there? Will we have physical bodies of some kind, or will we just be floating points of light? Will we still get to eat, drink, enjoy physical activities? Will there be music, art, sports, swimming pools, theaters, libraries, etc.? Will we get to change how we look and customize our physical appearance as much as we want, like in a really advanced VR game?

Sharkie posted:

postscript: the reason goonlords deny this and focus on the bullshit "true reality beyond the mere mortal realm" is because they are intensely uncomfortable with themselves and the world, immersing themselves in the comfortable lie that what really matters exists beyond some metaphysical horizon. If they learned to like themselves and others they would quickly put aside this juvenile longing for an invisible world that justifies their alienation from this one.

Kyrie eleison posted:

Uh, goonlords are denying this? Aren't goonlords all atheists?

Anyway, your words are clearly Satanic, with no love for the divine Good. You think being respected by evil people is the most important thing and so reveal your priorities. Heaven is not for you.

Nessus posted:

You seem pretty goony to me, brother.

Chin posted:

So your perfected heavenly body still produces endorphins?

Reminds me of a David Cross bit.

Vaall posted:

Kyrie are you going to answer my question about Christ's views on blowjobs?

Kyrie eleison posted:

When you guys are owned, you always turn to simple vulgarity and crassness, like the adolescents you are.

My teaching is that you should suck my dick, so get on it.

wheez the roux posted:

i'm just happy to see you finally stop repressing your sexual urges for men. It's good, and healthy, and you should get laid as much as possible to loosen up imo

Kyrie eleison posted:

When you guys are owned, you always turn to simple vulgarity and crassness, like the adolescents you are.

My teaching is that you should suck my dick, so get on it.

Kyrie eleison posted:

Getting laid as much as possible doesn't loosen you up, it creates all sorts of anxieties about hurting people, debasing yourself, etc. Your advice sucks.

Al Harrington posted:

Any comment on the Gospel of Thomas? it's annoying when you just pick and chose what to respond to and what to ignore

Vaall posted:

Also the bold is %100 internet_virgin.txt

Kyrie eleison posted:

Whatever you say. :roll eyes: I am one of those people who has lost count of his sexual partners, and now tries to avoid adding to them because the drama is not worth it. But you are young, so sow your oats. Just know that when you are older, philandering won't be cool anymore, and every one of your peers will agree with me. Most of them will marry despite whatever they might say on the subject now.

Vaall posted:

lol Sure.

Kyrie eleison posted:

Gnostic heresy. I looked a bit through it, it was rubbish.


Whatever you say. I am one of those people who has lost count of his sexual partners, and now tries to avoid adding to them because the drama is not worth it. But you are young, so sow your oats. Just know that when you are older, philandering won't be cool anymore, and every one of your peers will agree with me. Most of them will marry despite whatever they might say on the subject now.

Kyrie eleison posted:

Getting laid as much as possible doesn't loosen you up, it creates all sorts of anxieties about hurting people, debasing yourself, etc. Your advice sucks.