Comments on: In defense of addiction http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:46:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Rainbow http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19160 Rainbow Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:47:18 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19160 but sex and food and thirst can be elevated to recognize the divine. You can say grace, blessings before a meal. You can keep sex within a consecrated union which celebrates the divine. or can you can wallow in gluttony and indescriminate, abusive meaningless couplings among multiple configurations. but sex and food and thirst can be elevated to recognize the divine. You can say grace, blessings before a meal. You can keep sex within a consecrated union which celebrates the divine.
or can you can wallow in gluttony and indescriminate, abusive meaningless couplings among multiple configurations.

]]> By: Antigone http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19159 Antigone Wed, 14 Sep 2005 13:29:31 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19159 Okay, Stephen, I've talked to many a Christian, and when I bring up a morally reprehensible character (such as Fred Phelps) that claims to be a Christian, their response is that he's not a "true Christian" and you have to look at a person's actions to see if they're really touched by Christ. As Bush has done things that Christ reviled, all I can think he is not sincere, therefore, not a true Christian. Rainbow- False dicotomy; it can be a sacred, divine and animalistic act. At the same time, or different at different acts with the same person speaks to one or the other, or they may be none. Trying to put sex in a box or trying to say that a sex drive ISN'T basic is highly disingenius. Okay, Stephen, I’ve talked to many a Christian, and when I bring up a morally reprehensible character (such as Fred Phelps) that claims to be a Christian, their response is that he’s not a “true Christian” and you have to look at a person’s actions to see if they’re really touched by Christ. As Bush has done things that Christ reviled, all I can think he is not sincere, therefore, not a true Christian.

Rainbow-
False dicotomy; it can be a sacred, divine and animalistic act. At the same time, or different at different acts with the same person speaks to one or the other, or they may be none. Trying to put sex in a box or trying to say that a sex drive ISN’T basic is highly disingenius.

]]> By: Rainbow http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19158 Rainbow Tue, 13 Sep 2005 18:05:57 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19158 Whatever happened to sex as a sacred act consecrated by marriage and a sense of a divine? As opposed to a pure animal act designed to satisfy a bodily urge such as hunger and thirst. Whatever happened to sex as a sacred act consecrated by marriage and a sense of a divine? As opposed to a pure animal act designed to satisfy a bodily urge such as hunger and thirst.

]]> By: Stephen http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19157 Stephen Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:31:46 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19157 Antigone: The New Testament is maddeningly enigmatic on many important issues. Your assumption that Christian leaders who go to war are therefore doing so counter to their beliefs is too simplistic by a long shot -- throws out good, in my opinion, theological justification for a "just war." (Not, mind you, that this war is meets that justification.) But, my point was that sssuming we can ascertain the "sincerity" of another's belief is highly problematic and suspect. Sincerity is such a thin accolade anyway . . . Stephen Antigone:

The New Testament is maddeningly enigmatic on many important issues. Your assumption that Christian leaders who go to war are therefore doing so counter to their beliefs is too simplistic by a long shot — throws out good, in my opinion, theological justification for a “just war.” (Not, mind you, that this war is meets that justification.)

But, my point was that sssuming we can ascertain the “sincerity” of another’s belief is highly problematic and suspect. Sincerity is such a thin accolade anyway . . .

Stephen

]]> By: Antigone http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19156 Antigone Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:09:52 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19156 Stephan: His record is hardly "Christ"ian. I've read the New Testaments dozens of times, I've never read anything suggesting that Christians should go to war. Stephan:

His record is hardly “Christ”ian. I’ve read the New Testaments dozens of times, I’ve never read anything suggesting that Christians should go to war.

]]> By: NancyP http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19155 NancyP Mon, 12 Sep 2005 20:05:59 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19155 Pres. Bush may be 100% sincere about being a born-again Christian. That status is perfectly compatible with extreme self-absorption and insensitivity to others' needs. It is also perfectly compatible with mature selfless action. So, when someone says, "I'm born again", I think, "So what?". Pres. Bush may be 100% sincere about being a born-again Christian. That status is perfectly compatible with extreme self-absorption and insensitivity to others’ needs. It is also perfectly compatible with mature selfless action. So, when someone says, “I’m born again”, I think, “So what?”.

]]> By: Hugo http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19154 Hugo Mon, 12 Sep 2005 17:24:46 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19154 Onlooker, I prefer the Merriam-Webster definition: ..."compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal." Add in endorphins to the substance, and you've got me nailed. Wait till you see me after three days of no exercise! There is serious harm to friends, family, drivers on the freeway, and anything in range. Seriously, folks, I wouldn't have nearly as even a keel if I didn't work out all the time. If I am rarely intemperate and unpleasantly vicious on this blog, it's got lots to do with my body chemistry. (Though one would like to think a certain degree of maturity plays in as well!) Onlooker, I prefer the Merriam-Webster definition:

…”compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal.”

Add in endorphins to the substance, and you’ve got me nailed. Wait till you see me after three days of no exercise! There is serious harm to friends, family, drivers on the freeway, and anything in range.
Seriously, folks, I wouldn’t have nearly as even a keel if I didn’t work out all the time. If I am rarely intemperate and unpleasantly vicious on this blog, it’s got lots to do with my body chemistry. (Though one would like to think a certain degree of maturity plays in as well!)

]]> By: MRAboy http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19153 MRAboy Mon, 12 Sep 2005 17:21:24 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19153 I think any true addiction is harmful. A balanced life is more satisfying. I think any true addiction is harmful. A balanced life is more satisfying.

]]> By: onlooker http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19152 onlooker Mon, 12 Sep 2005 16:39:56 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19152 Maybe you're being tongue-in-cheek by calling your exercise habits an "addiction," but I think it's worth pointing out that: "Addiction is now narrowly defined as 'uncontrolled, compulsive use despite harm'; if there is no harm to the patient or another party, there is no addiction." (taken from here: http://www.answers.com/addiction&r=67) What harm does running or Spinning cause to the person working out, even if that person feels the need to do that activity 5 days a week? If "addiction" can mean doing something regularly that helps keep you feeling healthy and sound, then I'd say the word has lost all meaning! Maybe you’re being tongue-in-cheek by calling your exercise habits an “addiction,” but I think it’s worth pointing out that:

“Addiction is now narrowly defined as ‘uncontrolled, compulsive use despite harm’; if there is no harm to the patient or another party, there is no addiction.” (taken from here: http://www.answers.com/addiction&r=67)

What harm does running or Spinning cause to the person working out, even if that person feels the need to do that activity 5 days a week?

If “addiction” can mean doing something regularly that helps keep you feeling healthy and sound, then I’d say the word has lost all meaning!

]]> By: Hugo http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19151 Hugo Mon, 12 Sep 2005 15:55:22 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/09/12/in-defense-of-addiction/#comment-19151 Sally, you can take it that I have prayerfully decided to remain silent on the subject, contributing to neither "side" in the abortion debate, until I get some more clarity. That's not dodging the subject, it's an admission of intellectual and spiritual paralysis. Jean, my friends of both sexes who have had kids have managed to go to some pretty remarkable lengths to keep working out; having an understanding spouse is immensely helpful. Rotating child care around workout schedules can be done. Sally, you can take it that I have prayerfully decided to remain silent on the subject, contributing to neither “side” in the abortion debate, until I get some more clarity. That’s not dodging the subject, it’s an admission of intellectual and spiritual paralysis.

Jean, my friends of both sexes who have had kids have managed to go to some pretty remarkable lengths to keep working out; having an understanding spouse is immensely helpful. Rotating child care around workout schedules can be done.

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