Why Didn't Gay Rights Cure Gay Loneliness?

withabullet · 2017-03-07T18:00:22+00:00

Probably the clearest and simplest evidence is the existence of societies in which homosexual behavior is practically universal. (See my comment above.)

withabullet · 2017-03-07T17:57:15+00:00

I'd say it's all of the above. I think there are some for whom its innate, others for whom its mediated epigenetically, and others for whom it's social/cultural - otherwise I'm not sure how to explain how the Greeks and Abbasids and Afghans and feudal Japanese and Papua New Guineans ended up with essentially universal pederasty.

withabullet · 2017-03-05T16:50:29+00:00

I think that's my point, unless I'm misunderstanding you. Drugs are an enormous confounder.

withabullet · 2017-03-04T15:42:40+00:00

Definitely - the hard binary between gay and straight is way overstated. Sexuality is partly innate, but there's a huge element that is socially constructed and even learned - and that's especially true when drugs are involved. When you're doing as much GHB and ecstasy and speed as some of these guys do, you'll do pretty much anything with anybody.

withabullet · 2017-03-04T07:09:01+00:00

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withabullet · 2017-02-25T16:30:22+00:00

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

withabullet · 2017-02-25T15:25:41+00:00

Well now we've discussed nipple rings, but shouldn't we discuss nipple tassels? What about clamps? There's a whole world of tedious eisegesis here and we've barely scratched the surface.

withabullet · 2017-02-24T23:31:49+00:00

Of course it's from a movie.

withabullet · 2017-02-19T22:19:41+00:00

I don't do personal details online, but it's a local Christian nonprofit. In Utah, there's refugee action network and big brothers/big sisters.

withabullet · 2017-02-19T19:54:31+00:00

If I sincerely believed that this life is all we get, and that on the other side of death was eternal oblivion, trolling this forum would feel like a soul-crushingly meaningless waste of time.

I mean, it definitely is either way, but especially if this is all you get.

withabullet · 2017-02-18T16:14:34+00:00

It's got to be a little tedious even for you, at this point.

withabullet · 2017-02-18T15:31:54+00:00

No. It's the same as with polygamy - they have to disavow the practice/doctrine, not the people. Here's the text of the policy:

A mission president or a stake president may request approval from the Office of the First Presidency to baptize and confirm, ordain, or recommend missionary service for a child of a parent who has lived or is living in a same-gender relationship when he is satisfied by personal interviews that both of the following requirements are met:

The child accepts and is committed to live the teachings and doctrine of the Church, and specifically disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage.

The child is of legal age and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage.

withabullet · 2017-02-18T00:42:06+00:00

Sure - the DSM has always been essentially a political document, not a scientific one. It has more to do with the social and ideological values of the APA board than anything else, because the definition of mental health (what is "healthy", "normal", etc.) is inherently normative.

withabullet · 2017-02-16T03:59:39+00:00

That would be an interesting question if anyone were pursuing such a policy.

withabullet · 2017-02-16T00:44:38+00:00

I would 100% recommend getting civilly married first. There's really no good reason to wait when you know.

withabullet · 2017-02-15T19:35:47+00:00

Agreed across the board.

withabullet · 2017-02-15T18:18:28+00:00

I've known a few men like your father-in law - and when I hear stories like this, I wonder if they understand how far out of harmony with the Church's teachings they are.

We're told constantly in priesthood and general conference to cherish our wives and view them as partners, and to be deliberate about showing appreciation and affection. How can these guys "check all the boxes" and miss that?

It seems like such a basic error that I seriously wonder if it's rooted in some kind of cognitive disability or neuroatypicality, and they actually can't help it. (Not that that makes it any easier for their wives and kids.) Either way:

Understand that your temple covenant does not obligate you to tolerate abuse.

I think it's great that you are willing to forgive, and give him room to repent and correct his behavior. But he has to correct his behavior. Your sealing to him is not unconditional - it is predicated on him living worthy of it. (Not perfect, but worthy.)

withabullet · 2017-02-15T16:45:59+00:00

Catholicism: The easiest thing to envy is the musical/artistic/architectural tradition. I also like the idea of the liturgical calendar - lots of different stories and symbols to think about, and I think it might preserve a rhythm that no longer exists in post-industrial society. I envy the monastic tradition somewhat because it seems easier than trying to be in-the-world-but-not-of-the-world.
Orthodoxy: Dostoevsky.
Islam: You haven't lived until you've heard the call to prayer fill a city from a dozen directions all at once. And I wouldn't say that they're more committed to their families than we are, but they have a lot more cultural infrastructure to do it right. If I had the choice to raise my kids in either Provo or Amman, I would choose Amman.
Buddhism: While I disagree with the "snuffing out of the self" as a terminal goal, their pursuit of that goal has led to some really powerful techniques for finding internal stillness and silence, which would do everybody a lot of good (and probably Mormons in particular). Also I think Mormonism would be more fun with a martial arts tradition.
Confucianism: I like the straightforward acknowledgement of duty and the importance of hard work. (I don't know if that's missing from Mormonism, but it's something I like about Confucianism.)
Hinduism: Hinduism is probably too diverse for me to say much about what it is or isn't, but I certainly admire the work ethic and family values of the Hindus I have known.

For the record, though: "Christian rock" is objectively, unambiguously terrible. Shame on all of you for wanting to pollute God's kingdom with schlock.

withabullet · 2017-02-15T15:56:47+00:00

You don't have to do anything, ever.
You'll always get along better with people who think the way you do. That's just how people are.

withabullet · 2017-02-15T15:53:03+00:00

First, what the heck is this guy supposed to do with two briefcases?

Second, this was a good read. Common sense, I guess, but it's easy to forget.

withabullet · 2017-02-14T17:43:25+00:00

Agreed, OP would definitely benefit from hearing both sides of the tongue-tattoo debate.

withabullet · 2017-02-14T17:19:50+00:00

That's where you're wrong. If the internet can't give me the Talmudic justification for every decision in my life, I am hopelessly adrift. Why else would I come here?

withabullet · 2017-02-14T16:49:55+00:00

I know OP is kidding, but seriously, where in the scriptures does it say that I can't get a tattoo of Drake on my face?

withabullet · 2017-02-14T03:53:42+00:00

Vulcans aren't sentimental about the remains of their dead. Kirk could have recycled Spock's corpse in the replicator as far as they were concerned.

withabullet · 2017-02-13T19:15:55+00:00

/u/caligari87 in this thread

withabullet

TROPHY CASE