Recent content by barotaro

It can be hard to separate all the cultural 'noise' and figure out for ourselves what *we* need physically/socially/spiritually. I think you're kind of dismissing it as a dichotomy where those who are more extroverted don't fantasize or touch too. Like 98% of males do this on a regular...

^The lust issue is a difficult one to be sure. It's different for everyone i guess. You both describe having or had heterosexual desires too. That's not something i can relate to unfortunately. I can go without looking at objects of lust, and will still get homosexual desires, at the most...

Brother, If you've been struggling with SSA so long, maybe it's time to give yourself some credit for the effort and not put so much pressure on yourself. You aren't harming anyone, keep that in mind. You didn't ask for these feelings. There's no reason to hate yourself and in fact, that...

The Golden Rule seems to me a worthy code of ethics both from a spiritual and humanistic view

Well from a Christian perspective, it's permissible to inform others when they engage in behavior that is harmful to them or others spiritually. It's their decision, but often they don't know why they shouldn't steal other than "it's wrong" / "it harms others." Well of course, coveting and...

i saw hitchens in speak in person and wasn't very impressed. With exception of newer scientific findings, he's been using the same arguments as philosophers going back to hume and maybe earlier

But officially atheist countries like stalin's russia and north korea have not exactly been free of oppressive violence or valued human life at all

I think it's possible when secular morals, or rather individual morals, happen to intersect with Biblical morals. For example, "thou shalt not kill" is usually followed by even atheists, we have to admit. Often times, this is mere coincidence driven by self preservation, not the basis for living...

Strikes me as very weak logic indeed, for an MIT article no less. Then again it's from 2004 Love as the only basis for marriage would threaten society, cause 3 men 2 women will want to marry? But they can easily find alternatives. The basis for gay marriage is that gay people have no...

Oral tellings were very common at the time, precisely for the reasons you listed. How could Jesus have failed at spreading the word, when early Christian families did so, even before the Gospels were written? You act like there was no retelling of his miracles and sermons before the councils got...

Yeah i think rejection in various forms can exacerbate or even create depression. The catch 22 is being in that state makes it harder to not be rejected...it's a vicious cycle. I find that my fellow Christians are most patient about mood disorders. Other than therapists, the secular world...

This might help you avoid temptation, hope it does... But for me that doesn't work. I have to be around females to avoid acting on my urges, but of course, that's not always possible...and sometimes other guys approach me and it's hard to not pursue it. If i actively sought activities with...

Sorry to hear this...It sounds like you really need to talk to someone, despite the risks. People may surprise you. They're often homophobic until they find out someone they care for is gay...but if you phrase it in a way they can accept, it will help your chances - "I'm struggling with same sex...

Yeah i'm going thru the same thing. It can be very difficult, but i'll pray for you!

Yeah i've had the same struggles also since puberty. God isn't there just to give us what we want, and in fact others will tell you that this kind of ordeal is a way he tests our faith. I doubt you heard the devil talk either. Let me ask before i go further, are you attracted to these girls at...