Is There Such A Thing As Safe Sex? Part 2

 I agree with the part that more time should be divulged in this, however I re-itterate from my comment on the previous blog, that this should be done at HOME with your own home values and beliefs. I personally do not want my child to be taught about "spirituality" at school. I plan to teach my children about this myself in my own home, and especially why I disagree with the concept in the first place. Sorry but I truly believe this would break the seperation of church and state, one of the laws i STRONGLY believe in.
 
Sex however is spiritual to you, I find it, sorry, a bit naive to think you can define what sex is for you and apply it to everyone, especially those of us who dont believe in the super natural.
 
Disease of pregnancy are things in todays age we can prevent, with pre screenings, condoms and dare I say abortions. I assume you might disagree with the last one but I am a supporter of Roe v Wade, and its my right to feel this way (5-4 my right to be percise). Yes is worth the risk and the flame can burn as hot as it wants, because I dont believe in its existance, and I am at peace with my own mortality.

Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

It is a miracle that organisms are anatomically designed to have sex, but it is free will that we can use sex to either celebrate life or destroy it.  It is a miracle that people have learned different ways to cherish their oxygenated existence through the fantastic emotional, physical, and spiritual celebrations of sex.  It is also a miracle that people’s brainpower goes into developing ways to damage one another, using sex as an emotional and physical tool.

Sex and burgers might actually be similar, albeit befuddling.  They both describe hunger. Sex satiates one type of appetite, while the smell of burgers appeals to another. The fact that my masticated meat travels through a combined total of 28 feet of (small and large) intestines compartmentalized inside me is a miracle.  Another miracle is the “puzzle-fitting” anatomy of a woman and a man.  In fact, a half hour of sex is an 85 calorie-burning exercise.  Now, think about it.  All that exercise could make room for another emotionally bonding experience … or another burger.  

I appreciate your willingness to voice your opinion on such a controversial topic. Your viewpoints may not be a popular one, but I find it refreshing.
I realize its unpopularity may stem from the idea that what you propose is another set of rules and regulations regarding how one should or should not conduct themselves. HOWEVER, I don't see it as such at all!
I see it as a way of preserving and protecting something of great value. I think that may be the problem. We don't value sex the way we should. What I mean is, things that are particularly precious and beautiful in this world are often preserved, protected as nothing else and are only reserved for the most worthy.

Why should sex be any different? I think it should be valued even more so. It's our BODIES for goodness sakes. I don't fault anyone for desiring to preserve, protect and maintain the value of a part of themselves so sacred. And I do agree that sex is sacred.  
 
I think we have allowed the media, society and maybe even just our lack of wanting to exert self-control to cheapen our views on sex. I don't believe that we should view it as simply something to bring "pleasure" or casual "fun". I would not want anyone to view me in that light!  I am not merely a toy to be played with, an object for a man to find pleasure in. I believe I have more value than that.
 
Am I wrong in wanting to find deeper meaning and value in my own body? In the gift of sex? Is it wrong for me to want to preserve myself for someone most worthy?
Argue as much as you want about the lack of spiritual connection in sex...but we are spiritual beings. We are made up of body, mind, soul and spirit. Across most religions, (not just Christianity) it is claimed to be so. And if sex is giving a part of oneself away, then should it not only be logical that a spiritual effect should manifest?
 
 
 

"I also never meant to shame anyone or insinuate in any way that I think people who have casual sex are "sl*ts" or are "bad"."
I read your previous blog and so I'm glad you clarified this in part 2.
 
I think you bring up interesting points. I don't really agree with all of them and I don't see sex as needing to be spiritual but I can see how if you're a person of faith, how you would the connect the two. I know a lot of religious people and bunch are my friends so you haven't offended me and reading this hasn't made me feel bad about myself if I don't agree.
 
Religion is so controversial and influential sometimes. Whether we like it or not. Think about it - it's so integrated into our government ("one nation under God") and also how a lot of politicians make decisions (pro-choice vs. pro-life). And also how many voters vote. It's obviously a part of a lot of people's lifestyles. I think that to completely set it aside or the Koran or any other "holy book" as inconsequential and worthless is to ignore how big of an impact it has on society - whether they are religious or not. 

Thanks for clarifying some of your points. 
It is a notable reality that kids are being exposed to images and ideas of sex at a very early age.  I agree that giving them more information is best.  Knowledge is the best tool we can give our children in order to allow them to make the best desicions for themselves.  While I might not want the spritual aspect discussed in public schools, the phsycology of life decisions made in gereral, that include sex would be an important part of that knowledge.
 
I understand that it's not completely fair to take some of the below quotes out of context, but they were the ones that stood out to me.
"If both the man and the woman involved agree that it will be casual sex and both are "unaffected" by it, it is inevitable that someone will wind up getting hurt in the long run. Maybe not them directly, but indirectly at the pain it will cause their future spouse."  I appreciate the humor used by linking a faux news report from theonion on this point.  I would continue to agrue that it is possible for two rational adults to have consentual sex outside of a relationship and not be hurt by it.  As to any pain caused to a future spouse- that is something that someone entering into a relationship should know before marraige and be ok with before marraige.  If it is a point of pain and contention, then they probably shouldn't be getting married anyway.
 
"How come when it comes to something like sex people can justify that, but when I feel so mad at someone I could punch them or even worse, I have to "control my emotions"?"  If the person getting punched is consenting to getting punched, well then enjoy your fist fight.  Maybe take up boxing?
 
"I'm expected to make my decision based off of my intelligence and my awareness of the long term ramifications of that decision, rather than my "feelings"."  Decisions can be made off of intelligence, awareness, as well as feelings.  Humans are emotional creatures and it is difficult to take that out of any equation.
 
"I also stand by my original statement. Sex is spiritual."  Thank you for sharing your opinion.  While I might not agree with it, I do respect it.  So while I will continue to leave open the option of casual sex in my life, I would urge you to continue to use quotation from scripture in your arguements when they are relevant (despite what  psxpaul commented).  Just realize that it will probably weaken your aguement to those that do not ascribe to the bible as as any kind of literal truth for various reasons- that it is written by man, that there are many versions, that the church has historically used it as a means of social control.  This of course is all aside to some of the moral lessons that can be learned from the stories within.  But I'm getting off on a tangent here....

There was a quote I heard a while back from someone that said compared Western and Middle Eastern countries, it went like this:
"In the West, they pray in private but have sex in the public. In the East, they pray in public and have sex in private"
I think that one of the reasons why religion is so taboo sometimes is because the issue affects so many people and almost everyone has a STRONG opinion about it. So while this is an uncomfortable and sometimes touchy subject, I think it's good to take a look different viewpoints. Because let's admit it, in this blog post you are tying religion to a very mainstream topic.
 
Re: "if it doesn't hurt anyone"
I can only attest to my personal experience and all the girl talk that I've had with girlfriends. I've also had the pleasure of hearing some very poignant stories from guys as well. My current verdict: Sex does not hurt everyone, but it does have an effect on everyone. You can't just shrug it off as something so casual as brunch on Saturday.
 
Re: "do what we feel is right"
What you wrote brought up SUCH AN INTERESTING POINT. You brought up a very thought-provoking analogy. I'm still digesting that one and I'll get back to you;)
 
Re: Tying in sex with religious viewpoints
I think that's one way to look at it and I'm glad you blogged about this. Not everyone sees your view, but to based sex off religious views is no more futile or useless then what other people base their views on (such as the media, the behavior of their parents, etc.)
 
Thanks for clarifying your view, Krystal;) I may not agree with everything... but I do respect it. I mean, things change everyday, such as laws, and we may or may not agree with them (daym that new ban on texting while driving... J/K... just putting an example), but there is a social expectation to respect them as well as a right to debate and provide an opinion against them if you so choose.

Your views on sex are based on beliefs established about 2000 years ago.  Back then, people got married when they were about 12 years old.  To try to force those ancient practices on today's youth is futile.  Why do you think the teen birth rates are highest in the most religious U.S. states?  Its like the story of the preacher's daughter- pressure a kid not to have sex, and what do you think they'll do?
 
Oh, and quoting the bible is the most ridiculous thing these days.  There have been so many revisions made to the bible, that have been translated so many times over the years, even if the word of god was in there at some point, is it still?  I mean, the King James bible was created in the 1600s.  Numerous passages were added/removed/modified by that time.  And pretty much any King or Pope could make changes as he saw fit.  So to take those writings literally is just a useless exercise.
 
And as for the psychological impact of premarital sex - I doubt very many virgins are marrying former prostitutes.  People tend to end up with partners that have similar religious and political beliefs.  A guy who's had 10 sexual partners probably wouldn't care that much if his wife had 11 partners before him, and vice versa.