What's your opinion on religions that don't think you, if single, should have a 'love life' even with yourself?

[porridgeisbae]

Just that really.

I converted to Catholicism but I think that bit's a bit harsh.

Load of utter bollocks...

At the end of the day, it's utterly ridiculous to let anyone dictate what you do with your own body. Fuck that. Go you're on way.

Go your own way (forgive my mistakes!)

This actually makes me sad. I know Catholics and they are not rigid zealots. You also seem to have zero respect for the current Pope - how do you square that with being an actual Catholic?

I also think they're ignoring that it's good way to get to sleep.

Hi all I got somewhat back with the programme. Which isn't to say I won't sometimes fall.

Going to try and find a husband. Not so easy or quick at 46 though.

I'm an atheist but I have to say, of all the religions, Catholicism seems to be the most life-limiting, scare-mongering one. You're literally sent to burn in the fires of hell over everything!

Do you actually want a husband?

I do find it odd that the Catholic Church is fine with people using artificial and addictive sleep aids when a natural and effective thing like masturbation is available (it's also a good decongestant when you have one of those colds where you can't breathe, the health benefits are remarkable).

I'm an atheist but I have to say, of all the religions, Catholicism seems to be the most life-limiting, scare-mongering one. You're literally sent to burn in the fires of hell over everything!

@Frankola I tried to get into it at 21 but I definitely wasn't ready for it then. Now I kind of enjoy the challenge some of the time.

This actually makes me sad. I know Catholics and they are not rigid zealots.

@pointythings My mum's always saying 'well, plenty of other Catholics do X, Y, Z' shagging, whatever, but that doesn't make it ok. It's clearly outlined what we should and shouldn't do.

The only times Popes are infallible are if they're making certain types of decisions over scripture- the last time they had one of these was in 1951. Francis has done one or two good things but a lot of heretical things. Some people don't even think he's the real Pope at all (I'm not one of those though.)

I also think they're ignoring that it's good way to get to sleep.

😂

Comparing being gay to adultery. Well that's just fucking horrible.

I also compared it to gluttony, lust, anger- it's no worse than any other of the hundreds of mortal sins someone can commit.

^Do you actually want a husband?

I do find it odd that the Catholic Church is fine with people using artificial and addictive sleep aids^

They've got nothing against medication and treatments, unless people abuse them. I think that's a good thing that they aren't anti those things.

when a natural and effective thing like masturbation is available

The end of a sin doesn't make the means ok.

A husband- well I'd like some officially endorsed sex sometimes so I suppose that's what I'd have to do.

It is a good point though- is it really worth getting married just to get laid? I've had enough experience of men to know they're hard work a lot of the time.

Lol.

I suppose God might send me a decent guy. I know some exist.

I know this was written for the OP, but this has helped me as I'm struggling with the rules as it were of my faith and am pretty vulnerable right now. Thanks so much.

This is going to sound strange but I was attracted to both men and women and I knew what the bible said about that. I prayed for the desires for women to go away. It took years since my conversion but they did. Just like that. I knew I couldn't do it in my own strength. It was the work of the Holy Spirit. @porridgeisbae . The letter of the law kills but the Spirit gives life. Only by Grace can we be justified and sanctified .

I have struggled with the rules of my Protestant faith. Brought up Independent Baptist (.fundamentalist ) then became somewhat evangelical . Had a lot of abuse and trauma in my background, so really struggled with the idea of God. Went away from religion completely then became personally convicted some years later and got "born again." It has not always been easy . I ended up almost losing my mind to a form of OCD around religion known as Scrupulosity. I was in constant torment not helped by other psychiatric diagnoses around trauma and the fact that my upbringing had taught me that seeking help was evil because mental illness was either sin, demonic possession of self pity.

I am now in a much more relaxed Anglican church and it is suiting me fine.

I think it was a rule brought in to reduce the sexual desires of people who weren't married and to guilt them out of having sexual encounters for pleasure rather then conception.
I mean they have a slight point. People are mad on masturbation these days, pornography, sex toys, illicit encounters. We have never been more sexual then we are today, all obsessed with gender and sexuality etc, rather then obsessed with marriage and family and all the lovely innocent stuff.

Then there was Dr Kellogg, a Seventh Day Adventist IIRC, with his masturbation prevention flakes, now known as cornflakes.

I think it sounds like you have a lot of internalised homophobia to dismantle. I’m a lesbian who was raised Catholic and finds the views on homosexuality to be abhorrent. Are you really not remotely bothered at having to work to suppress your attraction to women? Because you really don’t have to. It’s absolutely fine to experience whatever attraction you have to women.

ultimately you have chosen a faith - whatever the reasons may be. I think the key is to build your own personal relationship with God and your own way of orientation yourself to your faith.

I mean do you believe the bible is the literal word of God... because if yes, then it has to be 100% followed.

a lot of people are of the opinion that although the bible was revealed from God, it has not been preserved because it was compiled by the Romans (who were not christians and had their own agenda) and also it was written down/compiled a long time after Jesus (peace be upon him) had left this world. I am not saying this is what you should believe or disrespecting your faith - just wanted to point out there are different standpoints... which would alter your approach.

this is not about what other people think... but how you navigate your own spiritual journey

pray for guidance and the answers will come to you...

Some things to think about here, thanks all.

prayed for the desires for women to go away. It took years since my conversion but they did. Just like that. I knew I couldn't do it in my own strength. It was the work of the Holy Spirit.

True via God's grace anything is possible. It's also the fruits of the Spirit.

People are mad on masturbation these days

@fullbloom87 Yes I mean I'm not really as 'addicted' as some. Maybe once or twice a week. But it's still not ok.

Well that's disturbing. People in 2023 still believe you can pray away the gay.

@Psyclops Going by the PP's experience it does work for some people. I think it's easier being attracted to both men and women, of course. The person can focus more on one rather than the other.