Religion in a hookup culture

Firstly, I find it rather disheartening that those who chose to tear apart Ms. Freitas work are so far removed from her understanding. She does not write from the perspective of an "indoctrinated" or "hypnotized" person but rather puts forth ideas she has gained through legitimate academic research.

Secondly, I wanted to comment on a particular posting which said:

"...what better source for wisdom on sexual matters could there be than a group of (supposedly!) chaste men who have had ZERO experience (according to the advertising) in a "hookup", much less a sound, lasting relationship? "

To that I say that most political theorists are not politicians nor are editors authors (grant it there are exceptions to this rule). I cannot explain the gift of total consecration, or the source of grace it is for the Catholic Church. In regards to this audience, I may as well be trying to convince my cat. Point in case is that those who promise a life of celibacy are not asexual beings. Just as a poli sci academic may have never practiced politics, they do know the subject deeply and intimately, as they have devoted their life to studying it. Just because they have never worked on the hill themselves, doesn't mean that the advice they would give to someone who does is worthless. As a matter of fact, they may be able to see past the "politics of politics" so to speak and guide the seasoned politician in a better direction.

Many priests do truly understand romantic relationships and can guide those struggling in one.

Also, Augustine may be a saint, but he is not Christ (or Mary Poppins) and is therefore imperfect. The Catholic church does not teach such things. Sadly, not enough Catholics read Augustine today to even be able to become confused or troubled by what he said in that instance.

Can you please say a little more about what you mean by the word "spirituality" in this context? Any specific examples of ways college students have found this "spirituality" to help them navigate decisions about sex?

B2O2;
"It boggles my mind. Can someone explain this apparent insanity? Would you choose this course of action in ANY other area of your life? Why"

She didn't choose anything. She was indoctrinated. It's like being hypnotized.
She'll be that way forever.

It's always painfully amusing to watch this poor woman go through ever-more-desperate contortions as she strives to rationalize the continued association she keeps with her abusive life partner, Catholicism.

And really, what better source for wisdom on sexual matters could there be than a group of (supposedly!) chaste men who have had ZERO experience (according to the advertising) in a "hookup", much less a sound, lasting relationship?

Why seek out friends and older people who've actually BEEN THERE when you can get "authoritative" advice from clerics who don't know you and have ABSOLUTELY NO experience in the question at hand?

It boggles my mind. Can someone explain this apparent insanity? Would you choose this course of action in ANY other area of your life? Why?

Christianity's foundational theoretician, Augustine of Hippo, believed that:
- Adam's prelapsarian erection would have been under his voluntary control
- that the passionate, troubling, disobedient sexual impulses we experience in our postlapsarian existence are part of the punishment visited on humankind by God
- that sexual activity between married spouses, if done for its own pleasurable sake and not for procreation, is a sin but forgivable [Journal of the History of Sexuality, Soble]

Western man still labors under his curse.

The authoress is pathetically confused and ignorant.

What the "hookup culture" needs to understand:

Although most religions warn us about the dangers of pre/extra-marital sex, it is obvious we are not paying attention as pre/extra-marital intercourse and other pre/extra-marital sexual activities are out of control with over one million abortions and 19 million cases of STDs per year in the USA alone.

from the CDC-2006

"Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. While substantial progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing, and treating certain STDs in recent years, CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24.1 In addition to the physical and psychological consequences of STDs, these diseases also exact a tremendous economic toll. Direct medical costs associated with STDs in the United States are estimated at up to $14.7 billion annually in 2006 dollars."
How in the world do we get this situation under control?

A pill to temporarily eliminate the sex drive would be a good start. (Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes calls it an anti-desire pill - 4/18/2010). And teenagers and young adults must be constantly reminded of the dangers of sexual activity and that oral sex, birth control pills, condoms and chastity belts are no protection against STDs. Might a list of those having an STD posted on the Internet help? Sounds good to me!!!! Said names would remain until the STD has been eliminated with verification by a doctor. Lists of sexual predators are on-line. Is there a difference between these individuals and those having a STD having sexual relations while infected???

And the following data need to promulgated so everyone is aware that today's contraceptives don't always work to the degree advertised: (from the Guttmacher Institute)

Percentage of women (men) experiencing an unintended pregnancy (a few examples)

Method Typical

Pill (combined) 8.7
Tubal sterilization 0.7
Male condom 17.4
Vasectomy 0.2
Periodic abstinence 25.3
Calendar 9.0
Ovulation Method 3.0
Sympto-thermal 2.0
Post-ovulation 1.0

No method 85.0

(Abstinence) 0

(Masturbation) 0

But don't we already have separation of church and sex?