What is Adultery

Indeed, but they're not on any spiritual path, are they?

Look at Fifty Shades of Grey, for love's sake! By all accounts an execrable piece of writing, but a best-seller of Harry Potter proportions!

People would be abnormal if they didn't have sexy thoughts about others from time to time. Providing they remain as thoughts and not acted upon if they are in a relationship I don't see the problem. Jesus could well have had wet dreams like most males of the species!
 
Not sure of your meaning. Are you saying they if they are fantasizing about others when they are watching a movie together, they cannot be on a spiritual path?
Yes.

Ideally the spiritual path should not be something that one turns on and off. In reality though, being on the spiritual path full time is no easy task. I'm not sure it is possible for most people.
No-one said it was easy.
 
People would be abnormal if they didn't have sexy thoughts about others from time to time. Providing they remain as thoughts and not acted upon if they are in a relationship I don't see the problem. Jesus could well have had wet dreams like most males of the species!

The distinction is having random thoughts, and actually feeding the fantasies.
 
Just because someone has a different lifestyle than yours does not mean they are not on a spiritual path.

Folks can be poly, have open marriages, and still be on a spiritual path. It is truth, openess, awareness, and what is in their heart that counts....to me.

This whole judging thing.... in my vernacular....adultery is when you dilute your principles....YOUR PRINCIPLES....not random folks opinions on the internet.

You and your significant other(s) should have your own guiding principles.... don't adulterate them. (and don't let others put their 'shoulds' on ya)
 
Hey, Wil, good to have you back! Are you staying?

I think it comes down to the neverending discussion if Spirituality = Religion and what = Religion. People are going to come down on different sides on this but don't you think simplify 'the other side' by saying they are judging?

If a person thinks Spirituality = Religion = Discipline (simplified) then they will live their life denying themselves many things. In their opinion that is was leading a spiritual life entails. The whole judging thing is a whole separate matter.
 
desire....de - of, sire - father....

desire is of the father... Who are we to say what G!d has determined is right....

Love one another as I have loved you...

The golden rule.... powerful stuff... what consenting adults do is choice....wrong choice...??? Who gets to decide that?

You gonna get married to the ten commandments? what about the other 603...

Denying?? yeah.... the 'creator' created beings so they could deny themselves...

Ever created anything and then put demands on it that it had to fight to fulfill??

No? Whynot? and why should we think some big passive agressive guy in the sky did?
 
Who knows what tomorrow brings, surely not I.

Will I stay or will this be a drive by philosophy?

Depends on the wind....and the set of my sail.
 
desire....de - of, sire - father....

desire is of the father... Who are we to say what G!d has determined is right....

Love one another as I have loved you...

The golden rule.... powerful stuff... what consenting adults do is choice....wrong choice...??? Who gets to decide that?

You gonna get married to the ten commandments? what about the other 603...

Denying?? yeah.... the 'creator' created beings so they could deny themselves...

Ever created anything and then put demands on it that it had to fight to fulfill??

No? Whynot? and why should we think some big passive agressive guy in the sky did?

Lot's of 'why' here! I won't try and defend other peoples choices, they get to do that themselves. Are you implying they are making the wrong choices and they should be more like you?
 
Just because someone has a different lifestyle than yours does not mean they are not on a spiritual path.
That's why I regard the world's realised spiritual traditions as the measure to go by. There are found the treasuries of truth and wisdom, medicine and method.

It is truth, openess, awareness, and what is in their heart that counts....to me.
And to me. Who pursues a fantasy rather than truth? And why?
 
Lot's of 'why' here! I won't try and defend other peoples choices, they get to do that themselves. Are you implying they are making the wrong choices and they should be more like you?

Not even....

I am saying that you live your life....I'll live mine. The old don't like guns? Don't buy one. Don't like homosexual marriage, don't get one.

One might get their spirituality through the drugs of native or modern religions, mescaline, peyote, marijuana, lsd, mushrooms...whatever...

Or denial...fasting....sexual frustration leading to enlightenment....

choices...yours, mine, theirs... I am not one to say that is not the path... Only that is not my path...

Or more accurately that is not my CURRENT path.

Does it benefit my path to judge yours??

Does it benefit your path to judge mine?

I feel my rights end where yours begin. Physically.... but if psychologically, mentally one can't take it because someone doesn't fit their paradigm....that is not the issue of the other...
 
People would be abnormal if they didn't have sexy thoughts about others from time to time. Providing they remain as thoughts and not acted upon if they are in a relationship I don't see the problem. Jesus could well have had wet dreams like most males of the species!
May I ask what your daughters' [you said they are Christians] views are on this? Especially the eldest who is an Anglican Priest ... Is this what she teaches at her church? [You also said you are very proud of her.]
 
Ideally the spiritual path should not be something that one turns on and off. In reality though, being on the spiritual path full time is no easy task. I'm not sure it is possible for most people.
A spiritual path does not need to be ascetic. It can include embracing sensual pleasures, including sex and erotic art.
 
And to me. Who pursues a fantasy rather than truth? And why?
Those who would exchange the truth for a lie. Why? Because for whatever reason, they prefer the lie. Consider this. Someone is convinced that God exists. Then they are given a simple choice, neither of which is punishable.
  • Live life however you please (option A)
  • Live for God and obey His commands (option B)
Which do you think they will choose? Which do you think the vast majority would choose? Further, if someone does choose option A, then it goes without saying that they would spend the rest of their time denying B, and pursuing fantasy rather than truth. Otherwise they would be consumed by guilt.
 
Those who would exchange the truth for a lie. Why? Because for whatever reason, they prefer the lie. Consider this. Someone is convinced that God exists. Then they are given a simple choice, neither of which is punishable.
  • Live life however you please (option A)
  • Live for God and obey His commands (option B)
Which do you think they will choose? Which do you think the vast majority would choose? Further, if someone does choose option A, then it goes without saying that they would spend the rest of their time denying B, and pursuing fantasy rather than truth. Otherwise they would be consumed by guilt.

That is an utterly absurd and false choice. How do you know God's commands (let alone if God is a He)? How many people have gone on killing sprees because they thought that Gold told them to. How do you know that what you think is God's commands aren't your own fantasy--or a fantasy implanted in you by the culture you grew up in?

Here's something far more sensible:

Treat others with love and respect. Try to help them. Do what you can to protect the planet God gave us. Be tolerant of people unlike you. Seek joy through caring for others and celebrating with others. Remember that even atheists worship God (albeit unknowingly) when they do good work.

And when it comes to myth and ritual, take what pleases you.
 
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