Hot Steamy Yaoi! (Part 6)

Creation, Marriage, Nature and Honorable Mentions (or lack thereof)

A.K.A. the "misc." chapter.

Where would we be without such deep and enlightened syllogism as "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!"?

Some would choose to claim God made woman for man, exclusively; some uphold the view that God created them gay. Neither argument belongs in a debate forum; both shall, in all likelihood, remain as unsubstantiated as the existence and precise identity of God. I know God exists, in the same way I know I didn't choose to be gay and it isn't wrong. Simple as. End of.

It has been said to me, that if one cannot take the Creation Account in Genesis as literal and exhaustive, one might as well discount the whole of the Bible and its authority. That is not a rational argument, but a plea; it is saying "My world view is founded upon literal acceptance of Genesis". Genesis could be infallible to the letter, or it could be a campfire tale concocted by many generations of an ancient patriarchal society. Good luck proving whatever you hold true and dear to your little heart. To say homosexuality is "against the order of original creation" and abhorrant in its "unnaturalness" stems from a warping/misunderstanding of Paul (as addressed previously). Also, common belief has been brought under debate after proliferous documented cases of animal bisexuality and homosexuality, both in the wild and in captivity⁴⁸

Oh, and the Bible. Is. A. Collection. Of. Books. And. Letters. Written. And. Compiled. By. Men.

How people have gotten away with using unwarranted obscurities to justify discrimination for so long, is beyond me. There exists no "-ism" under the sun that is not susceptible to exoneration via religious intolerance.

Moving on, claiming the bible only documents heterosexual relationships is both asinine and questionable.

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. ⁴⁹

Make of that what you will. No proof of the platonic nature of their souls' entwining, nor evidence that they were humping like a pair of horny puppies overdosed on aphrodisiacs. Just a bit of suggestive wording.

And besides, the bible is not a sappy romance novel (outside of cheesy born-again slogans claiming that it is God's love letter to mankind....). As some are wont to persistently comment on, homosexual unions cannot produce offspring. So why would the bible mention such unions, when it is frequently concerned with documenting lineage?⁵⁰ And why use homosexual unions to illustrate a point concerning "sinful behaviour", when the majority of the earth's population are more heterosexually-inclined?

Omission is not permission, but nor is it prohibition.

Paul talks of marriage as a condonable method to sate sexual desire and lust⁵¹. The institution of partnership had, and still has, much further-reaching legal and social implications than getting your rocks off, but that's another argument. Point is, if it's good for heterosexuals, why do those with homosexual tendencies need to "control their urges", "get fixed" or remain celibate? If even Paul can admit that humans have urges and needs, and very few people are gifted with the ability to control or suppress them, why do we try to deny people what is right for them?

Finito

5000 words. Well done, if you made it all the way. Why not go and treat yourself to a brew...?

Hot Steamy Yaoi! (SAUCE!)

Please, please, please don't just take my word for it. Go see for yourself.

Seriously, this took a great deal of earnest effort to put together. Use it.

N.B. Where quotes from various bible translations have been mentioned, or statements made about publication dates of said translations, no link has been given. If you wish to study further, the Bible is readily available in most translations, for example BibleGateway.com

¹. "What Ever Happened to Ritualized Homosexuality? Modern Sexual Subjects in Melanesia and Elsewhere"
Annual Review of Sex Research, 2003 by Knauft, Bruce M

². Worldview Diversity 2006 by Mynga Futrell, Ph.D.

³. Leviticus Chapters 1 to 7

⁴. Leviticus Chapter 12

⁵. Leviticus Chapter 16

⁶. Leviticus Chapter 17

⁷. Leviticus Chapter 20

⁸. Leviticus Chapters 18 and 19

⁹. Leviticus Chapter 18 Verse 22, King James Version

¹⁰. Leviticus Chapter 20 Verse 13, King James Version

¹¹. Leviticus Chapter 11 Verses 9 to 12

¹². Leviticus Chapter 19 Verse 19

¹³. Leviticus Chapter 18 Verse 23 and Chapter 20 Verses 15&16

¹⁴. Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon - Tow`ebah

¹⁵. Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon - Zimmah

¹⁶. Leviticus Chapter 18 Verses 6 to 23, New International Version

¹⁷. Stephen C. Lovatt

¹⁸. Leviticus Chapter 18 Verses 21 to 24

¹⁹. Genesis 13v13; Genesis 18v20; Genesis 19v13; Deuteronomy 29v17-26; Deuteronomy 32v32-38; Isaiah 1v9-23; Isaiah 3v8-15; Isaiah 13v 11-19; Jeremiah 23v10-14; Jeremiah 49v16-18; Jeremiah 50v2-40; Lamentations 4v3-6; Ezekiel 16v49-50; Amos 4v1-11; Zephaniah 2v8; Matthew 20v11; Matthew 11v19-24; Mark 6v10-11; Luke 10v10-12; Luke 17v26-29; 2 Peter 2v6; Jude 1v7-8

²⁰. New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Ekporneuo See also New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Porneuo

²¹. Genesis Chapter 19 Verse 1

²². Genesis Chapter 19 Verse 5, King James Version

²³. Genesis Chapter 19 Verse 5, New International Version

²⁴. Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon - Yada`

²⁵. Genesis Chapter 4 Verse 1

²⁶. Genesis Chapter 14

²⁷. Genesis Chapter 18 Verses 16 to 33

²⁸. Judges Chapter 19 Verses 14 to 28

^.29. Romans Chapter 1 Verse 13

³⁰. E.g. 1 Corinthians; 2 Corinthians; Galatians; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy

³¹. Romans Chapter 1 Verses 25 to 27, King James Version

³². Wisdom Chapter 14 for example, which bears a striking resemblence to Romans Chapter 1 Verses 18 to 32

³³. Definition of Naturalism

³⁴. Homer's Odyssey, 800 B.C.

³⁵. Eros: The Myth Of Ancient Greek Sexuality by Bruce S Thornton

³⁶. Sex and Reason by Richard A. Posner

³⁷. Plato's Laws, 360 B.C.

³⁸. New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Epithumia Romans Chapter 1 Verse 24

³⁹. New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Pathos Romans Chapter 1 Verse 26

⁴⁰. New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Ekkaio Romans Chapter 1 Verse 27

⁴¹. New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Orexis Romans Chapter 1 Verse 27

⁴². New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Plane Romans Chapter 1 Verse 27

⁴³. Romans Chapter 1 Verse 24 to Chapter 2 Verse 3, King James Version

⁴⁴. 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 Verses 9 and 10, King James Version

⁴⁵. 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 Verses 9 and 10, New International Version

⁴⁶. New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Makakos

⁴⁷. New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary - Arsenokoites

⁴⁸. National Geographic Article; Scott Bidstrup

⁴⁹. 1 Samuel Chapter 18 Verses 1 to 4, King James Version

⁵⁰. E.g. Numbers

⁵¹. 1 Corinthians Chapter 7

"Baaaaaaa!"

...said the sheep.

Never underestimate the stupidity of large groups. Interesting to observe how often we let our hearts and brains be overruled by peer pressure; jump on bandwagons, go with the flow, automatically agree with the consensus. Politics, religion, large organisations...

Yesterday, I read a message board thread that shook me quite a lot. I refuse to divulge the details of the board or the thread, however, it started off with someone seeking help/advice on dealing with another member's posts, which they found consistently abrasive. After a few posts, the identity of the member in question was disclosed. As more and more people replied, it became clear that the member was stepping on a lot of toes. The thread resultantly spiralled - nay, plummeted - into a defamatory bitching-fest. A handful of posters expressed disapproval of the nature of the thread, but they were lost in the tirade of heated emotions and offended people building upon each other. Eventually, the thread was closed and people were instructed to use the proper complaints/concerns channels.

It's so easy, in the heat of the moment, to go along with people when they express what you're feeling inside, is it not? To think/say/do things that you later realise were wrongful. To be a bully without realising, even when you know from personal experience how horrible bullying can be.

Easy, also, to allow originally inclusive, egalitarian groups to become exclusive and elitist. Once enough like-minded people are gathered, it is easier to attract more similar minds, rather than welcome a person who disturbs the status-quo. Support groups become collective back-patting, group-hugging affairs, offering plenty of help, love and reassurance for those who fit in and "deserve" it. Much like many mainstream Christian churches.

Pity the black sheep.

Daily Dilatoriness...

Procrastination. Delay. Putting something off, leaving life on hold.

We've all done it at one point or another. Some are far more gifted at it than others. Doing all sorts of unnecessary things, rather than "getting your stuff done", as the video puts it.

When I think about how often I seek out inane activities to fill my day, I'm slightly disturbed. It's easier to switch off; to do something that requires little effort, costs little and benefits little.

But "procrastination" implies there is something worthwhile to do; something important and significant is being avoided. How much of our day is occupied with what might be considered momentous undertakings?

Perhaps a more pertinent question would be, what might be considered significant? Important? Noteworthy?

"All is vanity...." Is anything worth doing in life?

Mundane necessities, such as eating or defecating? We need to do them to maintain our mortal coil, but are they important? Earning money, buying possessions? It all eventually declines and decays, and it's not like we're taking it with us. Helping people? Solving problems, becoming famous, building a legacy?

In our search for meaning, humans have come up with untold numbers of philosophies and religions. Something "after", something that lends greater meaning to our actions and lives. A desire to be "remarkable"; we elevate people to the status of celebrity, and obsess over fame and fortune.

Perchance nothing we achieve or obtain in life is of worth. But then again, mayhap everything in which we partake is of significance and import, no matter how seemingly trivial.

You've given your whole life to becoming the person you are today. Was it worth it? Does it matter, do you care and what difference will it make? Everything? Nothing?

We all have our views, but ultimately there's only one way to find out. And those who reach such enlightenment tend not to be particularly vocal.

Memento mori.

A/S/L?

21/M/Apathyville, State of Confusion, Earth

WLTM: Maker. Has much to answer for.

So I'm currently on pills, the list of possible side effects for which is as long as my arm; horrific birth defects (meaning I must remember not to get pregnant, and use at least two forms of contraception...), dry lips, nosebleeds, pancreatitis, brain swelling, photosensitivity, infections, depression, mood swings and suicidal thoughts to name but a few.

I'm blaming what happened this week on the meds. Because I never, ever thought I would manage to be stupid enough to try and drown myself. In half a litre of rum. On a completely empty stomach. In under half an hour.

Not big, not clever.

I've done more than a few foolish things in my time. This one ranks rather high. An especially frustrating day at work, on top of a lot shit happening re: humans, on top of me being idiotic, led to the thought: "I'm going to get drunk tonight". I suppose it seemed like a good idea at the time. After the first three double shots, I just took to swigging from the bottle (as you do...) and had soon drained it dry.

Now, friends will attest that I am no stranger to booze, and not a particularly lightweight drinker, either. But this was the first time I've ever vomited from alcohol, and it's probably a good thing I eventually managed to. Fortunately, I was still up for work at 6am, and true to form had no hangover today.

Ironically, it did make the world appear to be a better place, in a way; I hit rock bottom and bounced back up. C'est la vie. Realised I was being a twat.

Live and learn.

Oh, and I've promised not to kill myself while I'm on the pills. Just in case it's the chemicals doing my thinking.

=)

Leopold von Sacher Masoch

Leopold von Sacher Masoch, the Austrian author from the eighteen-hundreds who became the namesake of the term "masochism":

1. The deriving of sexual gratification, or the tendency to derive sexual gratification, from being physically or emotionally abused.

2. The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from being humiliated or mistreated, either by another or by oneself.

3. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.

I'm not really interested in the first two definitions. Kinky, but not currently pertinent. It is the third and final meaning of the word that I feel applies to me all too well. I am a glutton for suffering at times, and I'm not sure whether it's a good thing or not.

I enjoy pain and physical hardship. My job and my hobbies all involve various degrees of discomfort, on many different levels. Life is easier to handle when it's there; I begin to fall apart when I'm not getting enough. My mind torments me psychologically, emotionally; why not physically, too? It helps balance things; if my body is missing out, the mind tends to compensate by becoming insanely depressed.

Self-destructive behaviour? Maybe. Maybe not. After all, what doesn't kill you, merely postpones the inevitable.

This evening, I deliberately harmed myself for the first time in ages, since mid-2008. Not much, just a few wounds. It felt...good. It still feels good. The blisters are fresh and raw; it throbs exquisitely, focusing my mind on something it can't use to chew up my insides. The scars are rarely noticeable, unless you look close enough. It's infinitely better than comfort-eating, which just leaves me feeling pathetic and even more miserable.

Right? Wrong? Does it matter? Should it matter? Is it worth fighting? No pain, no gain; so is the pain a bad thing?

Sickness, Life, TLA's, Dichotomy, Death and Taxes

I just extended the list of Inevitable Things in the world. It's not just Death and Taxes.

HMRC suck, and not in the good way. I registered as self-employed and part of the CIS at the beginning of October, damnit, and they still haven't sent me my (apparently all-important) personal magic number. Which, long story short, means that because they won't give it out over the phone, I can't give it to my employer until next month (if I'm lucky and they get their act together). Therefore I get charged extra tax on my paycheque in the interim, so the Taxman gets over a grand from my wages this month. Not impressed. Sure, I'll get it back at the end of the year, but that's beside the point. I have bills to pay now.

Hmph. Not to mention all the blasted acronyms. I'm fairly certain they deliberately reuse the same letters, just to ensure you lose track of things and get confused. HMRC, HSE, CIS, SIC, CSCS, FFS...arrrrgh!

My brain is half-way functioning for the first time in four days, courtesy of the flu. It has not been a good week. And I have been pondering our penchant for dichotomy; our habit, as humans, to want to put everything into little boxes, classified into two opposing groups. Black or white, alive or dead, right or wrong, good or evil, male or female, gay or straight, easy or difficult....

So simple, so rigid, so restrictive and so wrong. Why do people (myself included) tend to define what is around them using a choice of two mutually exclusive labels?

One major difference between man and God? In my opinion, God probably knows it's a foolish practice to judge in this way; can see that what is right is also wrong; someone can be dead whilst alive; neither male nor female.

Here's to the infinite tones and shades that lie between black and white, and our persistent ability to ignore them at will.