From: elf@halcyon.com (Elf Sternberg)
Subject: Re: Sexuality
Originator: elf@halcyon.com
Organization: Pendor, UnLtd.
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 22:59:52 GMT

In article <1hqqm6INN3o0@hp-col.col.hp.com>
     smithw@col.hp.com (Walter Smith) writes:

>I'm a little confused here.  Most people don't think "Sex is a
>horrible, dirty thing". On the other hand, you said you were
>monogamous; and then said "...that you only share with the one you
>love" part.  Are you only monogamous out of safety, or are you
>monogamous out of love?  Why do you feel monogamy is the right thing
>to do?

   Why not?  I, a reasonably confirmed polyamorous person, find the
monogamous standpoint completely understandable and reasonable.  To
believe sex is a beautiful, wonderful thing, and there's only one
person he wants to share it with, strikes me as a straightforward and
rational expression of love.

   Safety could be his concern; it's a dangerous world out there, after
all.  Or it could be simple romanticism.  Either way, you're comparing
apples to oranges.

>> In my opinion, the reason that lesbigay people have the reputation
>> they do is because most straight people think that the outspoken ones
>> are the only ones out there.  

>Yeah, it tends to be the same with Christians...

   *Sigh*  Too true.

>Greg, you were doing good till there.  Wheather or not Christianity 
>conflicts with other religions around the world isnt the point; we're 
>talking about the US.  Please don't mess up a good line of thought with
>needless exxageration.   

   But we're not.  You're missing part of the point, Walter, and that's
that gays and lesbians are very internationally oriented... read
soc.motss some day and you'll see how much we talk about laws in other
countries as well.  And whether or not Christianity conflicts with
other religions is very much at the heart of the matter; if it were as
monolithic as Christians like to pretend, we could examine it on merit.
But it isn't... it's just another beleif system, older than some, a
*lot* younger than others, with as many merits and flaws as the others.

>Unfortunately, from what I've read in USENET, this is not the case for
>gay folks in general.  I've seen articles saying that if a friend can
>only 'tolerate' your homosexuality, and not accept it as ok, then you
>shouldn't be their friend.  I really think this is too bad.

   "You're a really swell pal, Elf.  Too bad you're going to Hell."
I've had a few Christian friends who, when pressed real hard, would
admit that, honestly, they did indeed feel that way.  Of course, I'd
laugh it off because I don't believe in Hell.  "Hell is reserved for
them that believe in it; the lowest pit in hell is reserved for them
that beleive in it because they believe they would go there if they did
not."

   These people are still my friends, but I occassionaly feel like I
should look over my shoulder and make sure that I'm not being
inculcated with a belief system and mind set I surely don't want.

         Elf !!!
--
elf@halcyon.com  (Elf Sternberg)

Then, I was inspired.               God, thy will is hard
Now, I'm sad and tired.             But you hold every card.
Listen, surely I've exceeded        I will drink your cup of poison.
Expectations.                       Nail me to your cross and break me.
Tried for three years,              Bleed me, beat me.
Seems like thirty.                  Kill me.
Could you ask as much               Take me now.
From any other man?                 Before I change my mind.
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