TSR Christian Society

Agree

I think that also explains it really well

Last exam in three hours. Might have had a slight mental breakdown last night (lots of crying) was praying about how crappy I felt, then checked my phone and facebook to two messages from people at church. Just set me off, and I text my mentor and her reply set me off again

Thanks for all the responses re: sex before marriage btw It's an odd subject to broach at church, least if you guys decide to judge and hate me I don't know you IRL.

My assumption concerning the 'aura of authority' was one applied to a general selection of men, who are reasonably educated and mature - not the type commonly seen on chavy streets.

I have never said that women are devoid of what men possess either; it would be foolish of me to state that men are closer to God or that they naturally excel women in most things. The biblical fact is: they have different roles. This is something that God himself put in place, for what was the purpose of Eve's creation but to give comfort to mankind and to help populate the Earth? The relationship between man and wife is one of co-operation, with the man taking lead as the main co-operator (though not as a dominant tyrant as some anti-sexist liberals presuppose!). If you want to see what God says about it then you only have to read one of many examples supporting this:

As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. (NIV, 1 Corinthians 14:33-35)

I think there is another argument in what is 'sex' full intercourse only, or oral? mutual masturbation? I'm sorry if anyone is offended by me bringing this up.

I was looking for the exact first behind 'let him who is without sin cast the first stone' and came across this site which claims that it wasn't in the original manuscripts. I'm confused?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/aprilweb-only/117-31.0.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_woman_taken_in_adultery

I still fundamentally disagree with your point about men and women. Even if they do have different [spiritual] roles, there is still no real evidence of this idea that men naturally possess authority. I'm talking about men of all social classes when I say that they do not necessarily possess authority. In general, I find rather that an 'aura of authority' seems to belong to the least humble - the very group who ought not to be leading us.

Just out of interest, why do you think they have different spiritual roles? And what do you think they are?

It's been interesting reading back over the conversation about the roles of men and women, both inside and outside the church. I'd pretty much describe myself as as far away from complementarianism as it's possible to get - those who participate in relationships have different roles, certainly, but I think these are determined much more by their individual capacities and personalities than by their genders. In general, I'm much more interesting in forming opinions of people's strengths and abilities based on who they are and what they do, rather than what bits they've got.

I think that many people today mistake 'love' for lust. As the great St. Augustine once said, lust distracts the soul from God's love. If we are to have sex then it should be in a marriage licensed by God.

I really don't think any Christian should be using terms like 'chavvy streets'. We are to love and respect all men, and recognise the image of God in them, especially they happen to be poor and marginalised in our society.

I still fundamentally disagree with your point about men and women. Even if they do have different [spiritual] roles, there is still no real evidence of this idea that men naturally possess authority. I'm talking about men of all social classes when I say that they do not necessarily possess authority. In general, I find rather that an 'aura of authority' seems to belong to the least humble - the very group who ought not to be leading us.

I would also say that your reading of the Genesis text is rather confusing for me. God created Eve precisely to share in Adam's role - they were not given distinct roles at all.

I think the problem isn't so much that the church has been too strict in saying no to sex before marriage; the problem is that it too often portrays sex as an intrinsically bad, or at least neutral thing, as if sex within marriage is more a "permissible" activity that we should be reluctant even within marriage to do. Actually, we need to communicate that we think sex is a brilliant thing, and that the reason we're strict on sex before marriage isn't because we think sex is bad and that in marriage we're just allowed to 'give in' to that temptation, but rather it is because we recognise the beauty of sex within marriage that we are strict in other contexts so that we may preserve and make all the more special that beauty.

Last exam in three hours. Might have had a slight mental breakdown last night (lots of crying) was praying about how crappy I felt, then checked my phone and facebook to two messages from people at church. Just set me off, and I text my mentor and her reply set me off again

Thanks for all the responses re: sex before marriage btw It's an odd subject to broach at church, least if you guys decide to judge and hate me I don't know you IRL.

I'm quite concerned by the fact that society has somehow got the idea that Christianity has an injunction against 'sex before marriage' that refers only to 'full' intercourse. The Bible never says 'do not have sex before marriage' in those terms. The verses say things like 'keep the marriage bed pure', 'do not commit adultery', 'he who looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery with her in his heart'.

I think what we have to draw from this is that we need to jealously guard our sexuality, and try to abstain totally from sexual contact before marriage. I think the view that Jewish society, and the early church had about the issue is along these lines.

Chemicals

Sadly I have run out of rep.

Have some of mine

And vasopressin! Although I would have said genuine love is dependent on those too... hmm.

Ta, Would serotonin also have an effect?

I think you are thinking of oxytocin

Low serotonin is linked with feelings of being in love too, and Prozac is supposed to prevent people from falling in love (). Have you had your first year exams yet?

Low serotonin is linked with feelings of being in love too, and Prozac is supposed to prevent people from falling in love (). Have you had your first year exams yet?

That's rather counter-intuitive. And nope - they're in July. I have 2 weeks of lectures about the leg/ elderly left.

If you have too much serotonin, can that prevent you from feelings of love/being loved?