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From: marie@harvard.ARPA (Marie Desjardins)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: The Start of Something New (I hope)
Message-ID: <200@harvard.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 11-Dec-84 11:43:00 EST
Article-I.D.: harvard.200
Posted: Tue Dec 11 11:43:00 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Dec-84 04:41:26 EST
References: <127@decwrl.UUCP> <1839@sun.uucp> <6450@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Organization: Aiken Computation Laboratory, Harvard
Lines: 39

> 
> Now, I would also like to address this idea that Christian morals
> do not belong in net.singles.  There are a fair number of Christians
> out there on the net (evidence:  the traffic on net.religion and/or
> net.origins) and probably a lot of them are single.  They have needs
> and interests which are unique to them as Christian singles and
> thus, belong right here in net.singles.  This is NOT net.rec.sex,
> and should not be considered open only to sexually active singles.
> 
> I do not believe that sex is EVIL, only that it has a proper place
> (i.e. marriage).  Is that so hard to live with?  Why can't we all
> learn to accept each other as we are (generally imperfect, although
> there MAY be some exceptions :-), and discuss our opinions freely.
> If you don't agree with what I say, at least consider it in the
> light it is offered, as an attempt to understand you and respond
> to your needs in the best way that I know based on my own experience.
> 

I agree with you, in that everyone should have a right to express their
opinions here inasmuch as they are relevant to singles.  However, I
don't believe that anyone (in EITHER group) has a right to try to force
their beliefs on others.  In other words, "Jeff, if you don't like sex,
why don't you go get a brain transplant or psychiatric help" is
completely unconstructive.  But on the other hand, so is "You really
should try living together without having sex" is unconstructive as well
(especially given the fact that the "ungodly act" (:-)) had already
taken place!).  

I believe that sex is a wonderful way to express your love for another
person.  I also believe that it's not something to be taken lightly.  To
me, marriage is a purely legal proposition.  It only has significance
for me in that it is a public commitment of one's (permanent) love for
another person.  But as a religious symbol -- well, I believe what you
feel inside is much more important than the marriage itself.  In any
case, I would expect not to be criticized for those beliefs, and I try
to have the same respect for others.

	Marie desJardins
	marie@harvard