Darkness falls ...

[TheListener]

In other words, if we would stop acting immorally, we would begin to act morally. Can’t argue with that. Unfortunately, your view of morality is narrow, and ignores human nature. As you stated, these activities have always existed, and will always exist. Pretending they don’t exist is pointless. People take alcohol and other drugs, hire prostitutes, become greedy, and gamble because they are human. It has absolutely nothing to do with God.

You are right, people sin because we are human.

Some of us realise this & try to do something about it. others, they do whatever they want.

The difference is the different levels of our perception. i.e. I think it is wrong to sell pornography in petrol stations where kids are around. Others are ok with it.

 

[Electric Sceptic]

You are right, people sin because we are human..

Then it was rather silly of god to make people who, by their nature, do things he doesn't like.

 

[TheListener]

Then it was rather silly of god to make people who, by their nature, do things he doesn't like.

People chose to know good & evil. God was generous to give us free will, people made the wrong choices. Hardly God's fault.

 

[nvxplorer]

Some of us realise this & try to do something about it. others, they do whatever they want.

The difference is, I don’t wish to impose my personal morality on others. Consensual activity is not immoral, IMO. What I choose to do with my body is my choice, and cannot be immoral, IMO. Atheism is not immoral, IMO. Sex is not immoral, IMO.

Before you jump to conclusions, I don’t drink or take other drugs, outside of tobacco. I’ve never needed nor wanted the services of a prostitute. However, these are my personal choices. What you choose is irrelevant to me.

The difference is the different levels of our perception. i.e. I think it is wrong to sell pornography in petrol stations where kids are around. Others are ok with it.

I am dumbfounded by the Christian fundamentalist preoccupation with sex. It’s sex, for cryin’ out loud. It’s perfectly natural and healthy. I began looking at Playboy magazines when I was ten years old. It had absolutely no negative effect on me. What do you think happens to children who see naked bodies? Are you aware that traditionally, Native American couples had sex right next to their children? Rape was nonexistent in these cultures. Teaching kids that sex is dirty, sinful and prohibited is the worst thing you could do for their psyches.

 

[nvxplorer]

People chose to know good & evil. God was generous to give us free will, people made the wrong choices. Hardly God's fault.

What makes you think God frowns when someone pulls a slot machine handle? Why would God be upset if someone enjoys a joint or a shot of whiskey? Does God really care who we have sex with?

Are you sure it’s not you who get upset with people’s harmless, consensual activity? If I believed in God, I certainly wouldn’t see him as the petty authoritarian that you do.

 

[TheListener]

No one is saying sex is bad. I personally think sex is great.

It is sex outside marriage that has serious side effects and God has told us it is bad for a reason.

Pornography on the other hand is now so widespread we don't even know what the long term effects are going to be but we will all find out I guess.

God has set out some moral guidelines which when you look at them make perfect sense.

I'm not imposing anything on anyone, these are my opinions based on my understanding of God's Word.

 

[EvoDan]

...It is sex outside marriage that has serious side effects and God has told us it is bad for a reason.

Whaaaa? What side effects? Does it give you halitosis? Migraines? Loss of appetite?

Or does it just lead to prolonged episodes of happiness? (I can see why God would be agin it.)

 

[Electric Sceptic]

People chose to know good & evil. God was generous to give us free will, people made the wrong choices. Hardly God's fault.

Completely god's fault. He made us. He's omnipotent - he can make/do anything he wants. If he's dissatisfied with what he made, it's his fault, not ours.

 

[Electric Sceptic]

No one is saying sex is bad. I personally think sex is great.

It is sex outside marriage that has serious side effects and God has told us it is bad for a reason.

What side effects?

Pornography on the other hand is now so widespread we don't even know what the long term effects are going to be but we will all find out I guess.

Pornography has been around for millenia. We know what the long term effects are - nil. Except, perhaps, for people being more aware of sex.

God has set out some moral guidelines which when you look at them make perfect sense.

Correction - the bible sets out some moral guidelines which even the people who believe in it can't agree on. Whether or not anything in the bible represents god's thoughts is moot.

I'm not imposing anything on anyone, these are my opinions based on my understanding of God's Word.

No, you're not imposing anything on anyone....but you'd love to. If you had your way, you'd be outlawing any number of things, preventing others from doing them, because YOU think they're immoral.

 

[nvxplorer]

It is sex outside marriage that has serious side effects and God has told us it is bad for a reason.

Irresponsible sex can have serious effects, married or not. What are the effects of responsible sex outside of marriage?

Pornography on the other hand is now so widespread we don't even know what the long term effects are going to be but we will all find out I guess.

C’mon. Looking at naked people having sex has long term effects? What could those effects be? Does voyeurism make people go blind?

God has set out some moral guidelines which when you look at them make perfect sense.

Totalitarianism always makes perfect sense, from the standpoint of law and order. I don’t need the Bible to dictate morality. I am perfectly capable of forming my own moral code. It’s grounded in honesty, integrity and empathy. Make sense to you?

I'm not imposing anything on anyone, these are my opinions based on my understanding of God's Word.

Maybe not you personally, but your brethren here in the US are attempting to fit society to a narrow Christian view.

 

[TheListener]

No, you're not imposing anything on anyone....but you'd love to. If you had your way, you'd be outlawing any number of things, preventing others from doing them, because YOU think they're immoral.

Would you like to speak on my behalf from now on as you seem to know me so well..?

 

[Grengor]

Hmm yes... well, if you did have it your way, complete control of the country, would you?

 

[TheListener]

What can I say to people who think porn & non-marital sex are ok? Nothing. I would personally urge you to repent & ask God's forgiveness and thats all the advice I have.

 

[nvxplorer]

Would you like to speak on my behalf from now on as you seem to know me so well..?

He probably used personal anecdotal evidence in making his claim.

 

[TheListener]

He probably used personal anecdotal evidence in making his claim.

If you don't like an opinion & personal experience based discussion then don't participate.

 

[TheListener]

Hmm yes... well, if you did have it your way, complete control of the country, would you?

Can I get a hollowed out volcano as my lair?

 

[nvxplorer]

What can I say to people who think porn & non-marital sex are ok? Nothing. I would personally urge you to repent & ask God's forgiveness and thats all the advice I have.

You could tell us why it’s not okay. You should know by now that we’re not going to accept your assertions without reason.

 

[nvxplorer]

If you don't like an opinion & personal experience based discussion then don't participate.

It was a joke, Listener. I knew I should have used a winking smilie.

 

[TheListener]

I told you why I think prostitution is not ok and I got shot down in flames, what difference is any other reason going to make?

 

[TheListener]

It was a joke, Listener. I knew I should have used a winking smilie.

My bad