Effect of drugs, alcohol, casual sex on Spirituality

[Vinayaka]

I used to have a roommate who could go out for eggs, milk, and a quick romp in the sack with a stranger. I would say she didn't care much about the person involved... most of the time. There were a few, though, whom she kept around(both knowing it wasn't headed for a relationship), and was quite fond of them. So, I can't say she always had the same response.

When I worked, I had a revolving door of coworkers who were in their early 20s(the place recruited from a local campus). I would say I found mixed attitudes there, too. Though there were exceptions, I'd say most looked at casual sex as just part of a good time, and behaved overall respectably to their temporary bedfellows.

I do think there's some expectation from men(from other men) to brag about numbers while they're in their early years, whether there's truth in it or not. I remember talking to an acquaintance about someone we both knew. He told me "So and so says you took their virginity when you were both young. I would have never expected that!" to which I told him... "Well, I'm honored he chose me for his first time, but you let him know for me that it has to be more than him and his hand to count!"

While it could be said 'number bragging' is dehumanizing, I think a lot of it is just bull manure that the immature engage in.

There was a lot of bull manure of that variety in my small town during high school too. Life of a pre-adult. But some girls would call them out on it, which was always good for a laugh at the expense of the braggart.

 

[1213]

Statistically speaking, good environments produce good people.
...

But it doesn't always go like that, therefore I think there is some other cause than the environment.

 

[idea]

But it doesn't always go like that, therefore I think there is some other cause than the environment.

Do you agree that some so-called bad people act the way they do because they grew up in a bad environment?

 

[Alien826]

That's true.

I guess for me, if I didn't want the person before I was drunk, I still won't want them after! (But, its no secret I'm weird.)

Mickey Gilley - Don't The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time Lyrics | AZLyrics.com

 

[Alien826]

Maybe you're not aware as to how bad that you really are - do you know how many times I've heard nasty people tell me how good they are?

Maybe you're not aware of how judgmental and up tight you are?

 

[Alien826]

I'm reminded of something I read years ago. It gave a statistic that 98% of people in prison had eaten sliced bread and concluded that sliced bread was the cause of crime. It was joking of course.

 

[1213]

Do you agree that some so-called bad people act the way they do because they grew up in a bad environment?

No. I think ultimately people act by the way they think is good. I don't think that how people value things depends on the environment they live in. Environment may show them example for bad way, but ultimately it depends on the person does he want to do evil things or not.

 

[idea]

No. I think ultimately people act by the way they think is good. I don't think that how people value things depends on the environment they live in. Environment may show them example for bad way, but ultimately it depends on the person does he want to do evil things or not.

Let's say someone cuts you off on the highway. Do you:
a) judge them to be a "bad character" -or-
b) excuse them as possibly being in a "bad situation" (medical or other emergency)

"bad situations" often create the illusion that someone is bad, when really they are not.

Is it "bad" to be patriotic to your country? (Think of all the different countries out there). Is it "bad" to serve in military? Is it bad to honor/follow the beliefs of your parents? It's all relative to your environment. It's not the person, It's their environment.

You can get through life with less anger and hatred once realizing others are just acting based on how they were raised.

 

[1213]

Let's say someone cuts you off on the highway. Do you:
a) judge them to be a "bad character" -or-
b) excuse them as possibly being in a "bad situation" (medical or other emergency)

"bad situations" often create the illusion that someone is bad, when really they are not.

Is it "bad" to be patriotic to your country? (Think of all the different countries out there). Is it "bad" to serve in military? Is it bad to honor/follow the beliefs of your parents? It's all relative to your environment. It's not the person, It's their environment.

I don't think it is bad to be patriotic. I don't think it is bad to serve in military. And I think people should honor their parents. But I don't think honoring parents means one should also accept bad beliefs or actions. And it is always the person who decides to follow his environment or not. If I would have followed my environment, I would probably be dead by now. Luckily environment doesn't dictate people's choices.

You can get through life with less anger and hatred once realizing others are just acting based on how they were raised.

Maybe it can be easier for some, I just don't think it is true. I think it is just an excuse to blame the environment.

 

[Glaurung]

If my conclusion is not correct, then what do you think makes these people such a cold blooded murder? and why religions prohibited alcohol, drugs and sex outside marriage?

Sin darkens the intellect and weakens the will.

The first effect of sin (the darkening of the intellect) means that the more you act against the moral law the less you are able to perceive the truth. You begin to rationalize your sins until you lose your sense of sin. The second effect (the weakening of the will) leads from the first in that the more you consent to sin the more you begin to will what is sinful. In other words, sin hardens the heart. At the most extreme a person ceases to care about what is right and wrong at all.

That's not to say that doing drugs and having sex outside of marriage will lead to murder. Just as few become truly virtuous, few become utterly depraved. But it should not surprise us that those who have given in to evil to the point of depravity would also be consumed by vice and self-absorption.

 

[idea]

I don't think it is bad to be patriotic. I don't think it is bad to serve in military. And I think people should honor their parents. But I don't think honoring parents means one should also accept bad beliefs or actions. And it is always the person who decides to follow his environment or not. If I would have followed my environment, I would probably be dead by now. Luckily environment doesn't dictate people's choices.


Maybe it can be easier for some, I just don't think it is true. I think it is just an excuse to blame the environment.

The environment is to blame. It is just an excuse to avoid taking responsibility for the wellbeing of our neighbor to say otherwise. Am I my neighbors keeper? Yes, we need to be good Samaritans.

Luckily, the internet has expanded everyone's environments to contain more choices.

Consider:

 

[Sand Dancer]

Drugs + Alcohol + Sex = Zzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzz

View attachment 70132

The teddy bears just make the picture.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Your absolutely correct in your induction - wicked behaviour begins with a hedonistic approach to life.
And, absolutely yes, this is exactly why religions prohibit these - not to play taskmaster or control the masses, but because these lifestyles do not edify, but, rather, destroy good character. You will never meet a promiscuous woman who can also be called a lady, or a promiscuous man who can be labeled as a gentleman. Drug users lack self-control and self-discipline, the vice has more control over them than they do over the activity.
Life is too serious, precarious and often sorrowful - who has the time, energy or concentration to be getting intoxicated as a recreational activity? Build or create something instead, read a book or go to the gym, learn an instrument or language, do some volunteer work, etc...
Drugs or alcohol are an absolute frivolous and subversive way to spend time. And, casual sex makes one callous and vulgar, and objectifies their partner.

Get married to a person of the opposite sex, respect and appreciate each other, and no amount of casual sex will ever replace such a meaningful, productive, loving and symbiotic relationship.

Get married to the person you love and want to spend your life with, respect and appreciate each other...
Fixed it.