All Comments (5)

Errata:

That was bonobo apes (supposedly our closest ancestors)NOT bono apes!

Afterthought

PS:

It is possible to appreciate the beauty of the members of the opposite sex without lusting. After all don't artists teach us that it is possible to appreciate beauty without wanting to possess it? Is it not possible for us to admire the beauty of flowers without wanting to cut them and take them home to adorn our living room?

I'm not denying at all that it is possible to be attracted to many many members of the opposite sex, even feel a special erotic attraction to many of them. But it does not automatically translate to lust. Lust is to be equated with a genital itch that seeks consummation. It is lust that is condemned in religions (for it suspends reason and is essentially self serving), not a normal healty attraction of the opposite sex that does not seek to possess the object of sexual desire nor does injustice to the one one is in a committed relationship with. Committed relationship with one member of the opposite sex is after all recommended in all religions.

Tim

Jesus was of course referring to the dangers of indulging in and encouraging inappropriate sexual thoughts, which is essentially the beginning of wanting to put the thought into action with another human being. The body responds to sexual thoughts just as if the person were really there physically, which is why Jesus said that the thought amounts to committing the sin. But of course there is a world of difference if the act involves the other person physically because a thought becomes an action which also involves a second person. A chain reaction is then set in motion which remains less in control of the person who initiated the relationship.

I think the bottom line of the teaching is to make us aware of the power of thoughts. Routine lusting after members of the opposite sex (or the same in the case of homosexuals) is a habit of the mind that is usually learned with practise. It is not obligatory to lust after all attractive members of the opposite sex (or the same if one is homosexual) to prove that one is sexually normal or healthy. There is a myth that one needs to be eaten permanently with lust as proof of one's healthy sexuality and the ability to get as many members of the opposite sex to respond is a great achievement. I doubt if we are not competing with bono apes when we let such a myth live on without challenging it.

I will raise up prophets from the youth and from the caves and they will be My spoken vessels, and they will say, I am but youth, but God says, was Jeremiah not but a youth?

www.jcudell.blogspot.com

Soja, Jesus said that to even look at a woman with lust is to committ adultry in one's heart. So, in this way a sin has alrady been committed. Is the thought sin as bad as if the actual actions are taken? Probably not in this world but in the heavenly plane thoughts and intensions could very well be more important. God knows what is in a perrson's heart.

Psalms 24: 3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Dear Baroness Neuberger

I concur fully with what you write.

Especially after reading the Pope's book, 'Jesus of Nazareth,' my reverence for Judaism has grown in leaps and bounds. In this context, think of the wisdom of the Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet your neighbour's wife." Psychology is only now catching up with the great wisdom contained in that commandment - how adultery starts with an inappropriate desire that is entertained, and how in order to correct the situation one must deal appropriately with the thoughts and desire too!

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia