What do you think of this?

Question

I want to be as general as possible so as not to pick on anyone.
A guy I knew would go to religious services. Immediately after leaving he would go to a massage parlor and have sex. He would then pray for forgiveness. He had been a friend for some time. I got on him about his prayers, saying they were meaningless because he was already planning to repeat the wrongs. I pretty tolerant and compromising saying couldn't he at least wait till the following day to go to the massage parlor? A poor representation of his beliefs. I add I had sympathy as I was aware of mental problems contributing as well. I want to keep this open. He could have been any religion. But this really did happen.

I have to say in other regards he was a very good person. He got married about a year later but that didn't last long. I think he got married for the wrong reasons. On the mental I was very concerned that he could have been suicidal. He never talked of it. If the sex helped prevent suicide, I'm all for it. Religion or not we should all do the best we can with the circumstances.

I had to add, he could have been anoter religion than you are thinking, Ancient Egyptian, Roman, Norse, Greek ar the Great Babba. The most common of US religions do not hold monopolies on sexual morals or praying for forgiveness. Except for the Great Babba the others advocate only married sex. Doesn't mean their societies lived by their codes though. Some were filled with debauchery.

Answer 1

Abrahamic Religions are Satanic Religions. Their followers claim to be worshiping this good one in Heaven yet this good one in Heaven is not even good enough to rule over the Earth. In their minds, they give over rule of the Earth to Satan an evil one cast down from Heaven. The claim that Satan is ruling over Earth at present and on into the future, and the claim that the evil one attacks the minds and bodies of the many leads communities of faithful believers to think that an evil one cast down from Heaven rules over Earth and has the power to influence of the thoughts of actions of self: This in turn leads members to fear their own bodies and their own minds.

Many are lead to have low esteem of self and world by conservative religious authorities that claim self and world are divided by a spiritual conflict between a good one in Heaven and an evil one cast down to and ruling over Earth. Fear that body and mind may be under attack by an evil one and fear that thoughts and feelings can not be trusted is a key feature of this form of low self esteem. Fear that the Earth is ruled by an evil one cast down from Heaven and at war with a good one in Heaven is key feature of this form of low world esteem. Because of this myth of a world divided by a spiritual conflict between good and evil some undoubtedly end up being conditioned by communities of faithful believers to assume the role of evil people, internalize and act upon this belief with tragic, violent, criminal results.

Answer 2

We did not have any option now did we?? The final time India performed an ODI was once in early 2013 & that was once in opposition to England within the dwelling sequence. Now Veeru, Ghauti, Yuvi, Zaheer, Nehra are all out & new body of workers have are available in. It wasn't some thing we would have expected however the selectors have made a few sweeping alterations maintaining the 2014 WC in brain! Its a fresh difference now for Rohit Sharma's **** a ring after his good fortune within the lately concluded IPL 2013, sixth version. Plus he is taken the further accountability of baulking the part!Shikhar Dhawan will have to constantly were trying out Ghauti's spot on account that 2006, while Ghauti began failing in his ordinary, his (Shikhar's) access has come past due into the Indian part however larger past due than in no way! He's a swashbuckling participant & is watching just like the mixed force of Viru+Ghauti within the CT 2013! Jadeja has a factor to end up except a few contributions within the scale back order shall be central in low scoring video games. Dhoni, Raina can each advisor him as professional execs. India pulled a rabbit out of the hat opting for Dinesh Karthick, he is firing on all cylinders now & is a 2d keeper alternative So the Indian crew's batting is amazing however a primary Achilles heel is within the bowling…the final win was once by means of a only a few runs & many bowlers did not distinguish themselves, most commonly Ishant & Umesh. Jadeja & Raina did good to place the brakes at the scoring, so that can be how to move ahead. A powerful pacer like Shami Ahmed was once wanted for this time out

Answer 3

Think of it this way. Maybe he needed the religious services so he didn't go to the massage parlor EVERY DAY.

Not our place to judge.

And really - who gets harmed when somebody goes to a massage parlor? He gets pleasure - somebody else gets money. Who is harmed?

Sad that he felt it necessary to pray for forgiveness. I agree - his prayers probably WERE meaningless - because to me - prayers are really just a way to CHANGE YOUR MIND about something. If he didn't want to be having the sex - then he had a choice not to do it.

I believe that God is all of the goodness within us. Your friend has (had?) all of the God stuff within him. Love, intelligence, clarity - all of it - was within him and there for his use. If he was choosing NOT to use those things - and then asking God to forgive him - that's just odd. God doesn't judge or condemn. It's just here for us to use.

If he had mental problems - then it was probably hard for him to find the God qualities within himself.

Your compassion was probably a wonderful thing that he truly needed.

Namaste!

Answer 4

Understand that as a child of God, It is not my place to stand in judgment of another. There are plenty of people out in the world that will use religion to benefit themselves, and there are those that will use it to cover up to excuse their behavior. We are all born with a sin nature, and therefore are not expected to be perfect. We are expected to try to do our best, and yes, although we may be forgiven for our sins, that does not mean that we will not be held accountable for our actions. Once you receive and understand that an action, a thought, a behavior is wrong and you continue to do it, it is that which makes it a sin. It is also that which makes us human.

Answer 5

Sounds like he was terribly confused and felt dominated by his impression of God.

Many people end up committing suicide because they have trouble accounting for sin in the face of their belief in God. It is very dangerous.

Hopefully the guy had enough friends to truly help him out of his sexual addictions so that he could maintain a heathly relationship with a Girl.

Unfortunately something tells me, he was probably 'prayed for' until he was kicked out of his fellowship for his behavior. Which goes to show you the real value of prayer.

Answer 6

The Bible says that there will be people who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. So this incident just fulfills that also if you ask me What you are talking about here is the True definition of taking the Lord's name in vain.

Answer 7

I think too much emphasis is placed on sex as sin. Sex isn't a sin...period. It's a pleasure/privilege to lay with a woman regardless of your feelings or lack there of for her. It's because of this feeling that the body is filth that many of us and it sounds like you are hung up sexually. Drop that idea of sex being dirty or sinful and you'll immediately feel a weight off your shoulders. Also what gives you the right to judge your friend? It's up to him to determine what's right for his needs and if getting his rocks off after church is his pleasure than so be it. Perhaps a good orgasm is his spiritual release.

Answer 8

Regardless of his beliefs, he was a hypocrite. If you plan to sin, then forgiveness can't be real. A prayer is not a "get out of jail free" card.

Answer 9

I think it's sadly not uncommon. I'm impressed that you spoke to him about it, and I think you did it in the least confrontational way possible.

People's beliefs do influence their actions, but usually only to a point.