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merchimerchI'm doing some recommended reading to try to heal myself of some fretting, and one of the things I was given was Whistling in the Dark: An ABC Theologized by Frederick Buechner, and I'm really enjoying it. In his discussion of homosexuality, he touches on spiritual issues of sexuality in general, and it really grabbed me:
"It is not the object of our sexuality that determines its value but the inner nature of our sexuality. If (a) it is as raw as the coupling of animals, at its worst it demeans us and at its best still leaves our deepest hunger for each other unsatisfied. If (b) it involves some measure of kindness, understanding, affection, as well as desire, it can become an expression of human love in its fullness and can thus help to complete us as humans. Whatever our sexual preference happens to be, both of these possibilities are always there. It's not whom you go to bed with or what you do when you get there that matters so much. It's what besides sex you are asking to receive, and what besides sex you are offering to give." (62-63)
"It is not the object of our sexuality that determines its value but the inner nature of our sexuality. If (a) it is as raw as the coupling of animals, at its worst it demeans us and at its best still leaves our deepest hunger for each other unsatisfied. If (b) it involves some measure of kindness, understanding, affection, as well as desire, it can become an expression of human love in its fullness and can thus help to complete us as humans. Whatever our sexual preference happens to be, both of these possibilities are always there. It's not whom you go to bed with or what you do when you get there that matters so much. It's what besides sex you are asking to receive, and what besides sex you are offering to give." (62-63)
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Date: 2007-03-13 02:54 am (UTC)the reason I asked where is that I can take the train down, but it isn't really convenient, depending on where in the valley you are.
I do agree that we should hang out, one way or another. :)
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Date: 2007-03-13 02:57 am (UTC)and back to the quote - what I love is the focus on intent - if there is kindness, compassion, and understanding, then it can function to bring people together. It isn't hinged on some idealized notion of true love, soul mate, or any kind of partnership, heterosexual, marriage oriented, or otherwise. It seems to go back to the basic commandment of "love one another."
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Date: 2007-03-13 06:52 pm (UTC)It was great chatting with you, BTW!
*hugs*
~G.