Catholic dogma insists that masturbation is corrupt, that sex between gay couples is corrupt, that sex outside of marriage is corrupt, that sex within marriages is corrupt if the couple deliberately tries to avoid pregnancy.Thanks for reading Earthly Idealism! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
I almost agree with you, and I am a Christian. The points of disagreement are this:
1. The Catholic Church, protestants, and many others have gotten the words of Paul incorrect. Please give context for what you claim are Paul's assertions.
2. Early Christians, even the disciples of Christ, were trying to figure out the right Way. Peter and Paul, for instance, disagreed over issues. Citing one early Christian does not mean all early Christians believed that way.
3. And our main point of disagreement is this: the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and honor solely for the purpose of gaining power from the world is condemned in the Bible from the beginning. This does not mean that wealth, pleasure, and honor are to be despised to be a good Christian. It means instead to pursue the "good" of life by doing God's will. All good is from God, including the pleasure of food, drink, and sex. This goodness is not pursued at the detriment of others or of self but to uplift others, including self, and to invite others to partake with us. The sexual pleasure is reserved for committed partners, because, yes, it is more easily corrupted, and we have seen that play out recently in our world. This is why we are rethinking the sexual relationship. Just as food is not solely to keep the body alive but can be enjoyed in communion, so is the sexual experience not solely to keep the species alive but can be enjoyed in communion between the committed couple.
4. And lastly, there are many Christians who do enjoy sex. Perhaps they would be considered to be Effective Egoist but who believe the good is from God, not devised by man.
“Second, that what we experience with our partner is: I’m giving her this pleasure, and she has chosen to give this pleasure to me. I am capable and I am worthy. The conviction that I am capable and worthy is the very definition of self-esteem.”
I almost agree with you, and I am a Christian. The points of disagreement are this:
1. The Catholic Church, protestants, and many others have gotten the words of Paul incorrect. Please give context for what you claim are Paul's assertions.
2. Early Christians, even the disciples of Christ, were trying to figure out the right Way. Peter and Paul, for instance, disagreed over issues. Citing one early Christian does not mean all early Christians believed that way.
3. And our main point of disagreement is this: the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and honor solely for the purpose of gaining power from the world is condemned in the Bible from the beginning. This does not mean that wealth, pleasure, and honor are to be despised to be a good Christian. It means instead to pursue the "good" of life by doing God's will. All good is from God, including the pleasure of food, drink, and sex. This goodness is not pursued at the detriment of others or of self but to uplift others, including self, and to invite others to partake with us. The sexual pleasure is reserved for committed partners, because, yes, it is more easily corrupted, and we have seen that play out recently in our world. This is why we are rethinking the sexual relationship. Just as food is not solely to keep the body alive but can be enjoyed in communion, so is the sexual experience not solely to keep the species alive but can be enjoyed in communion between the committed couple.
4. And lastly, there are many Christians who do enjoy sex. Perhaps they would be considered to be Effective Egoist but who believe the good is from God, not devised by man.
“Second, that what we experience with our partner is: I’m giving her this pleasure, and she has chosen to give this pleasure to me. I am capable and I am worthy. The conviction that I am capable and worthy is the very definition of self-esteem.”
What about experiencing giving yourself pleasure?
I can only write from my own introspection. Your mileage may vary.
Excellent article.