Post by KSSunflower on May 1, 2018 23:51:08 GMT -6
A Q & A with Dr Jason Carroll & Dr.Jennifer Finlayson-Fife. www.google.com/amp/s/www.deseretnews.com/article/865644524/Q-and-A-Experts-speak-about-embracing-chastity-and-sexuality.amp
Men and women are marrying later, making chastity very challenging. While sexual feelings and desires are acceptable in marriage, oftentimes, singles are dissuaded from expressing any kind of sexual thought or feeling. How can they find balance?
I like what Finlayson said on how to embrace sexuality while staying true to beliefs of chastity, “Coming to self-acceptance isn’t a function of expressing sexuality per se. There are many people who express their sexuality (in marriage and out of marriage) but have no peace. It is instead acknowledging that the longing is God-given and important, even if uncomfortable at times, and even a choice to not express sexual desires can allow sexual energy to be channeled toward other pro-social and positive development, particularly if that choice is made out of integrity, choosing what you believe is right, rather than choices based in fear, anxiety or self-hatred.
Chastity only makes sense inasmuch as it is supporting the idea of doing goodness. We often just want to say goodness is self-denial. I don't know if I see it that way. I think self-denial and sacrifice are fundamental to goodness but not the same thing, and so how do we relate to our sexuality in line with our integrity? How do we relate to it to keep us in connection with other people, in connection with God and a sense of doing good in the world? I think each person has to figure out what that is for them, in their specific situation.”
Men and women are marrying later, making chastity very challenging. While sexual feelings and desires are acceptable in marriage, oftentimes, singles are dissuaded from expressing any kind of sexual thought or feeling. How can they find balance?
I like what Finlayson said on how to embrace sexuality while staying true to beliefs of chastity, “Coming to self-acceptance isn’t a function of expressing sexuality per se. There are many people who express their sexuality (in marriage and out of marriage) but have no peace. It is instead acknowledging that the longing is God-given and important, even if uncomfortable at times, and even a choice to not express sexual desires can allow sexual energy to be channeled toward other pro-social and positive development, particularly if that choice is made out of integrity, choosing what you believe is right, rather than choices based in fear, anxiety or self-hatred.
Chastity only makes sense inasmuch as it is supporting the idea of doing goodness. We often just want to say goodness is self-denial. I don't know if I see it that way. I think self-denial and sacrifice are fundamental to goodness but not the same thing, and so how do we relate to our sexuality in line with our integrity? How do we relate to it to keep us in connection with other people, in connection with God and a sense of doing good in the world? I think each person has to figure out what that is for them, in their specific situation.”
