Religion is a way of life. If you don't live your life as you are INSTRUCTED(not commanded) you won't ever really get it. I know christianity best so I will many use examples from the bible to explain. From what I've read of and on the bible, I interpret the christian described to live a sacrificial life for the good of others. I don't mean dying for them I mean doing all you can to make others happy, taking pleasure in helping someone in need, being a good friend, etc... The Catholic bible(at least) tells us to abstain from sex until married, people don't want to abstain so this is a rarely considered aspect of christian life. After reading a book called The Highest State of Consciousness I found out that many previous cultures would seek a state called ecstasy, by taking drugs, repetitive drumming, orgies, pain, abstinence from sex, and many other things. The important one is abstinence from sex. In a state of ecstasy many people would experience a feeling of oneness with a higher power. Christians fasted, and taught followers not to have sex until marriage. It seems to me that if you don't have sex until marriage you will feel an indescribable feeling the first time you have sex. Something so bonding(in a mental sense you will merge with your mate for some amount of time) that you will get through whatever problems there are in your relationship, in the process both husband and wife will become more conscientious people, better people to have in a society. More importantly this was a holy experience for those involved. They might find guidance in their lives, they might find something that they had to do. Following christian teachings you would be strengthened spiritually. And your commitment to the community would be devout. A tight-knit community with a strong spirituality! That is a society! Christianity teaches a way to change the world. Why did the romans try to crush christianity? Because it was a threat to their power. A force that grows inside its host nation until it is overpowering. In Rome the official religion changed to christianity, it was because most of Rome had become christian, they had the numbers to control an empire, won without outright battle. People didn't follow the teachings, and many were only in Christianity because it was the cool thing to do. Without everyone doing their part a christian utopia wouldn't be possible. And in the end we didn't end up with one. Now people have forgotten what religion is about, it is about teaching people how to work together, it is a government that all the people share in, it is knowing for yourself how to act without laws or rules.

I know that the christian way might not appeal to everyone, so I am going to start a website that allows people to share ideas about what religious teachings actually mean, their conceptions of god, how they think their own life should be led, how they found their higher power(god, Brahma, satori, the universe, nature, themselves, whatever you want to believe in), and how to form a better society. I'll post a link once I have it.

I almost forgot to make clear that I believe we should study as many religions as possible, to gain wisdom and an intuition for interpretting the meaning.

[This message has been edited by penjo0in (edited 03-07-2004).]

quote:Originally posted by penjo0in:

It seems to me that if you don't have sex until marriage you will feel an indescribable feeling the first time you have sex. Something so bonding(in a mental sense you will merge with your mate for some amount of time) that you will get through whatever problems there are in your relationship, in the process both husband and wife will become more conscientious people, better people to have in a society.

So by waiting until marriage to have sex all relationship problems will be solved, and people will become better members of society.

Thats the stupidest thing Ive heard all day.

quote:Originally posted by SEN D-F:

So by waiting until marriage to have sex all relationship problems will be solved, and people will become better members of society.

Thats the stupidest thing Ive heard all day.

no, thats just the conservative idea

well granted; in theory it does sound pretty stupid but i think the guy's got something there. Wouldn't you feel even a slight concience problem if screwed every woman you saw and then got married?

I know this sounds stupid (especially coming from me, im agnostic) but i think that you should stay virgin untill marraige. Can't explain why but to do otherwise just seems wrong to me.

quote:Originally posted by Sarith:

well granted; in theory it does sound pretty stupid but i think the guy's got something there. Wouldn't you feel even a slight concience problem if screwed every woman you saw and then got married?

I know this sounds stupid (especially coming from me, im agnostic) but i think that you should stay virgin untill marraige. Can't explain why but to do otherwise just seems wrong to me.

If thats the way you want to live your life....

I couldnt do that though, I mean, no way would I want to screw every girl I meet, but really, I don't think their is any need for a ritual, just so you dont feel guilty about physically expressing your love

[This message has been edited by dearestnight_falcon (edited 03-07-2004).]

The not having sex thing is a part of being christian, if you don't want to do it, then make your own religion, like I said sexual abstinance(this includes masturbation) was a way to a state of ecstacy, where you would be closer to god. I don't mean orgasm, I mean ecstacy, imagine the ecstacy you get from tripping on mushrooms, it's something(I don't actually know what it is) like that. You are looking at it likes its a command still, think of it as a suggestion that has great rewards.

THE NOT HAVING SEX PART IS A VERY SMALL PART OF MY POST GAH

quote:Originally posted by penjo0in:

The not having sex thing is a part of being christian, if you don't want to do it, then make your own religion

Or, you could just have sex and continue to be part of whatever religion you want! And if its Christianity, then thats what you shall be.

quote:Originally posted by penjo0in:

I mean ecstacy, imagine the ecstacy you get from tripping on mushrooms, it's something(I don't actually know what it is) like that.

I would never in my life compare sex to mushrooms. Thats just.....wrong.

What I am saying is that to understand christianity there are some guidlines you are supposed to follow, it isnt set in stone, but it will help you get the whole christ like deal. Mushrooms are a lot different then sex, but you dont know enough about ecstacy to understand why i compare them. read about roman orgies, fasting rites, or ritualistic self mutilation. its crazy stuff, all in the pursuit of a state of ecstacy.(like what you get when you wait to have sex for a very long time(not neccesarily till marriage, but still)

quote:Originally posted by cunfoozedmunkee:

no, thats just the conservative idea

Conservative Idea= Stupidest shit in the world

penjo0in i can see where ur comming from and why u say waiting to have sex would be a better feeling once u finally do do it. when u have sex out side of marriage its kinda like stealing u know its wrong but u do it anyways but once ur married u have no worries its like u bought the "item" u have no voice telling u its wrong but if ur not a religious person u wont have that voice telling u its wrong so hey why not do it right

quote:Originally posted by penjo0in:

Why did the romans try to crush christianity?

Mate, you seem to be ignoring a huge swath of history relating how the romans after initial rejection, openly embraced xtianity?

The xtianity of today is the offspring of that melding of pagan rome and jewish thought, splintered into thousands of descendant religions. The ancient pagan practices have spread far and wide, under the one-size-fits-all tag of 'christianity'. Truth or myth, the original teachings of Jesus/Yahshua, are buried beneath millenia of superstition, destruction/murder/tyranny.

Stick with your thoughts of looking into all religious/spiritual thought and practice, remembering the common sense principle "by their fruits you shall know them". Tragically the fruits of what is known as 'christianity', bear the unmistakeable signs of corruption, human foible, and ignorance.

Look within, look without: "A fish who asked of another fish: "I have always heard about the sea, but what is it? Where is it?" The other fish replied: "You live and move and have your being in the sea. The sea is within you and without you, and you are made of sea, and you will end in sea. The sea surrounds you as your own being."

The only true answer is the one that you find for yourself!"

(Unknown)

LoveCompassionEquanimity http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

Wouldn't it be great if we all lived in tight knit societies, where young men and women have as much sex as they want while the elders raise the children?

It might be nice, I am saying the original teachings of abstaining might have had a good reason behind it. Not just to ruin everyones time. Will no one see this? :\