Texas parents don't like nude sculpture

[Flint]

Whatever religion attempts to repress only festers beneath the surface, becoming something worse.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Flint

Man, I hate hearing about shit like this happening in Texas. We're not all this way!

Originally Posted by Flint

Whatever religion attempts to repress only festers beneath the surface, becoming something worse.

I hate hearing ppl blaming religion for radical behavior. It is not always the religion in of itself that represses certain human behaviors. It is the humans who interpret that religion that do the repression. The Christian Bible for example says one should treat their body as a temple; meaning you should respect yourself. But that doesn't mean it is saying that showing the human body is bad. ADAM AND EVE WERE NAKED!!! It was after they ate the apple and sinned that they were ashamed of being naked. GOD gave humans sex for pleasure and procreation, otherwise sex wouldn't be pleasurable, although the Bible does restrict sex, labling many things sexually immoral (I.E. incest).
Unfortunatly many "Christians" interpret this differently. I love my sister for being a smart, logical and insightful Christian and teaching me to think the same way about things...but not necessarily thinking the same things as her.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

I hate hearing ppl blaming religion for radical behavior. It is not always the religion in of itself that represses certain human behaviors. It is the humans who interpret that religion that do the repression.

That's what religion is. People's interpretations. That's why there are Catholics and Protestants.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

That's what religion is. People's interpretations. That's why there are Catholics and Protestants.

These are the definitions that a search at dictionary.com came up with

re-li-gion  /ri-lij-uhn/

–noun 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

I am using definition #2: a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

I know that religion is shaped by people's interpretation, but most religions are based in a text which gives the guidlines for the religion. THAT is what religion is. Guidelines or "a specific fundamental set of beliefs or practices."

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

GOD gave humans sex for pleasure and procreation, otherwise sex wouldn't be pleasurable, although the Bible does restrict sex, labling many things sexually immoral (I.E. incest).

How come I've been hearing my whole life that sex is "Original Sin", then? And that it is only okay within the bonds of "Holy Matrimony"?

Did I miss a new interpretation somewhere?

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Elspode

How come I've been hearing my whole life that sex is "Original Sin", then? And that it is only okay within the bonds of "Holy Matrimony"?

Did I miss a new interpretation somewhere?

You didn't miss a new interpretation...you were taught a very misguided interpretation. It is considered sin outside marriage, I don't refute that. If it was sin why would God make it our means of procreation and why would He make it pleasurable so that we would want to? For ALL creatures, other than A-sexual reproducers. Well only humans and dolphins have sex for pleasure but thats irrevalent.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

Well only humans and dolphins have sex for pleasure but thats irrevalent.

Then why do dogs hump legs?

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Then why do dogs hump legs?

hmmm...good question...perhaps they do it for pleasure as well. Most of its just an overwhelming instinct, and normally my male dog is fine unless there is a bitch in heat on the street. I've always heard that only humans and dolphins do it for fun...but maybe I'll look it up some more.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

...but maybe I'll look it up some more.

Look up: bonobo chimps.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Flint

It was the natural course for a discussion based this: a parent complained about a student seeing nude art

(When is this kind of thing not caused by religion?)

When its caused by a parent who signs the permission slip without first being sure that they will really approve.

And when ppl become irrational about their beliefs, which I will admit seems to happen often with the "religious." They ignore the parts of their doctrine that aren't convenient for them. IE
Leviticus 19:18 (New International Version)
18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Its not the religion itself that causes the problem, but those who only follow the convenient parts of the doctrine. How many Christians do you know who would allow themselves to be condemed for being Christian? And YET that is a major part of the doctrine...else Jesus could have avoided the cross.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

And when ppl become irrational about their beliefs, which I will admit seems to happen often with the "religious." They ignore the parts of their doctrine that aren't convenient for them...Its not the religion itself that causes the problem, but those who only follow the convenient parts of the doctrine. How many Christians do you know who would allow themselves to be condemed for being Christian? And YET that is a major part of the doctrine...else Jesus could have avoided the cross.

Perfect example, finely stated. When I say "religion" I mean ^these people^ (the majority, in my anecdotal observation...)

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Flint

Perfect example, finely stated. When I say "religion" I mean ^these people^ (the majority, in my anecdotal observation...)

"These people" though are NOT the religion and that has been my point. I respect the Christian and Islamic and other such doctrines but I mostly don't respect those who "follow" the doctrine.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

"These people" though are NOT the religion and that has been my point.

I understand, and we disagree. As I said, I'm a realist, and I'm not discussing ideal religion but actual religion.

(IE what people are doing with religion is religion...)

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Flint

I understand, and we disagree. As I said, I'm a realist, and I'm not discussing ideal religion but actual religion.

(IE what people are doing with religion is religion...)

And that makes me terrible sad, angry and confused. Just know that not all people are like that about religion. Thank God I have my sister.

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by Flint

Whatever religion attempts to repress only festers beneath the surface, becoming something worse.

Yeah...politics.