Joshua 1:6-9 reads, "Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors. Be strong and very courageous......Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
I guess it was known thousands of years ago that the Christian Church would lay the "original sin" guilt trip on us all.
And it was probably seen that St. Augustine would see sex as nasty and something to not engage in; however, is there another way to replenish the earth that I'm missing? I jest of course (somewhat) but you know that GUILT is a primary theme of the church which begins before birth and seemingly never lets up. Have you been to confession recently? :-(
Listen, I am more than aware that to not have any sense of duty, guilt, or remorse can lead one to being a PSYCHOPATH! The ability to feel guilt especially when we have hurt others is very needful. However, the unmerited and unfounded feelings of unworthiness that's promoted by much of the world's religions and especially the Catholic Church goes far beyond being a healthy practice.
And GUILT is particularly present when SEX is mentioned!
Sex is a creation of God for a lot of GOOD NEWS reasons. Sex is the celebration of the ultimate oneness and expression of unconditional love when rightly understood and practiced. I am not talking about the "anything goes" sex without regard for the other: doing harm, and not with compassion. In fact, sex is really about the dying to ones desire to satisfy the other.
The failure of the church to articulate the positive and sensible realities of the body and sexuality have turned away millions.
We all need to come back to the GOOD NEWS that we are loved unconditionally. We are the apple of the Creators eye, and whatever we might be doing that's not appropriate, just stop doing it and get on with BEING the LOVING creations that we really ARE. Quit looking over your shoulder fearing God is ready to nail you for some act. He's not over your should to start with, but WITHIN (and without too of course) and ever forgiving, merciful, and loving.
