tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post4689029273536894826..comments2023-12-27T19:24:48.254-05:00Comments on Tell me why the world is weird: Happiness, Holiness, Pointlessnessperfectnumber628http://www.blogger.com/profile/10303683510076315803noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-83412192885828504962014-06-03T23:02:57.018-04:002014-06-03T23:02:57.018-04:00I don't think sexual attraction is the same th...I don't think sexual attraction is the same thing as lust. I think lust, as Christ used the term, definitely included the idea of <i>intent.</i> The preposition in "look at a woman <i>to</i> lust after her" actually should be translated <i>"in order to</i> lust after her." It's the same wording Jesus uses in the same teaching when he says "don't give/pray to [in order to] be seen by people."Kristen Rossernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-12508297166990873632014-06-03T22:19:43.374-04:002014-06-03T22:19:43.374-04:00Well said. It makes sense that sometimes we have t...Well said. It makes sense that sometimes we have to give up temporary happiness because of a greater good- but somehow that gets twisted into this idea that unhappiness is more godly.perfectnumber628http://tellmewhytheworldisweird.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626292304461574111.post-47124871839998618812014-06-03T15:00:54.717-04:002014-06-03T15:00:54.717-04:00I've been thinking about this too. I don't...I've been thinking about this too. I don't have any problem with the idea that holiness takes precedence over happiness when the two actually conflict. For example, looking past the suffering of others, creating a bubble around myself where I can minimize my exposure to the reality that people are struggling...well, it tends to make me happier. I can focus on the good things around me and avoid facing the brokenness of the world. While this might work as a temporary survival strategy in times of crisis, I don't think it's ultimately a good way of approaching the world. Holiness (in this case, loving those who struggle) is more important than feeling happy all the time.<br /><br />Where I get caught up is when I start feeling like feeling sad, on its own, is somehow more holy than feeling happy. Being in a happy relationship feels a little suspect, like I'm choosing pleasure/this person over God, whereas loneliness feels noble and tragic. I wasn't raised in a culture that was adamant about "purity", but some of the ideas seem to have rubbed off anyway. I also have the problem that dating a non-Christian also seems suspect, but I know very few progressive Christians my age and wouldn't be interested in the conservative ones. I bring this up because it's another idea pushing me in the direction of "maybe I should just be single indefinitely", which seems odd because I do want to be in a relationship and don't feel called to celibacy.<br /><br />I've really enjoyed reading your blog and hope for some good conversations in the future! Thanks!Annynoreply@blogger.com