Where joy for ever dwells! Hail, horrors! hail,
Infernal world! and thou, profoundest Hell,
Receive thy new possessor—one who brings
A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less than he
Whom thunder hath made greater?
~ John Milton
I understand that this issue has become a legal matter that will provide the media with sufficient "copy" to inform the masses.
The English radical, Thomas Paine inspires me to support freedom of speech, even for those whose words are abusive, and contrary to the call of The Saviour to love our neighbour, as we expect to be loved.
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. ~ Thomas Paine
The Bible was not written in the English language. The Hebrew bible was written in ancient Hebrew, and the New Testament mostly in Koine Greek the lingua franca of the Eastern Roman Empire. It is therefore very easy to allow oneself to read into translations ones own prejudices on variations in human sexual behaviour
Here lies a dilemma for many who believe that their god is vengeful should his rules not be obeyed, when assuming that their understanding of God, is a strict school master imposing punishment on all who live in fear of God's wrath when "breaking the rules."
Paul of Tarsus spent some 18 months living in the Greek city of Corinth, in his day an international resort attracting visitors from across the Roman Empire, where with sufficient money tourists could indulge their fantasies.
Some two thousand years ago Corinth was filled with shrines dedicated to various gods. Those shrines also provided sexual satisfaction for those customers who paid the officiating staff with generous offerings to expiate the expectations of their gods.
Guilt is a constant companion of those who believe that the shadow self provides them with all that they will ever need to live a self serving life.
Over the years I have visited Corinth on some dozen occasions, also sitting on the hill that overlooks ancient Corinth (a city destroyed by an earthquake, and reduced to bare ruins) possibly also a contemplation spot for Paul of Tarsus, who may well have allowed his earlier life as a Pharisee to emerge, to condemn the prostitution that was so widespread in Corinth leading to the exploitation of many people, abused by those able to pay for their services.
Puritanical religion has a well established history relying on rules, and laws to guide its practitioners.
Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus answered:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
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