Why we are the way we are

[ghostluvver]

I see a lot of people here questioning why an I have desires for sexual interaction with the same sex? I am not gay I am straight!

The real question is why isn't doing it? That is solely the tenant of religion. If you study history you will find bisexuality has been around for all of recorded history.
The Greeks were the most vocal about it. The Romans practiced it as a matter of course. It is only when religion enters the bedroom that we see a decrease in bisexual activity. The religious leaders have used sex as a means of controlling the population for thousands of years and where religion is weak we see people engaging in all forms of sexuality. So I say enjoy guilt free!!!!

 

[Maidboy]

If you study history you will find bisexuality has been around for all of recorded history. The Greeks were the most vocal about it. The Romans practiced it as a matter of course. It is only when religion enters the bedroom that we see a decrease in bisexual activity.

Homosexuality was common among these Ancient Warrior cultures, with boys being "mentored" by older men celebrated in Greek culture. It was being effeminate that was frowned upon. Lesbianism was tolerated or ignored by men as long as women performed their conjugal and child bearing duties. Religious sexual taboos are more about keeping female sexuality under control than anything else.

 

[ghostluvver]

more

You are correct in as far as you go. I should have gone further than religion as it is the oldest influence. Social convention of the time and peer pressure are also strong influences. As far as being effeminate there were several centuries when the men were the pretty ones. There are at least two passages in the Bible against homosexual activities and masturbation.

 

[Mqoi]

If homosexuality is such a sin, why didn't it make the Ten Commandments? I don't see it as any worse than eating bacon.

 

[Maidboy]

The Old Testament proscription against male homosexuality is for "a man laying with another man as a woman," which of course is subject to interpretation. Is anal sex the big no-no, with hand jobs among soldier buddies an acceptable way of "relieving the tension" in the absence of women? Whatever the case may have been, it was a man "acting as a woman" that was specified. As mentioned before, there's no biblical proscription against lesbianism.

In contrast to the Ancient Hebrews, Greeks accepted homosexuality, but in the context of military culture. The Spartan wedding ceremony consisted of the bride having her head shaved, dressed in male garb, and being taken to the groom's tent by his comrades in a sort of ritualized abduction. After performing his conjugal duty, the groom would join the guys for a night of drunken revelry. Spartan were apparently renowned for their beauty and known for practicing rampant lesbianism.

Medieval & Renaissance men (among the aristocracy anyway) were indeed quite the strutting peacocks. Men in tights and all that. I once read where it was a common sight at jousting tournaments for women prostitutes to ply their trade dressed in such men-in-tights male garb. Whether "showing some leg" was meant to attract homosexual or heterosexual male customers (both?) is anybody's guess. In a later gender bending twist, women prostitutes dressed as boys would walk the aisles of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome to attract male customers. See the chapter on Renaissance Popes in Barbara Tuchman's book, The March of Folly.

 

[ghostluvver]

well said

The Old Testament proscription against male homosexuality is for "a man laying with another man as a woman," which of course is subject to interpretation. Is anal sex the big no-no, with hand jobs among soldier buddies an acceptable way of "relieving the tension" in the absence of women? Whatever the case may have been, it was a man "acting as a woman" that was specified. As mentioned before, there's no biblical proscription against lesbianism.

In contrast to the Ancient Hebrews, Greeks accepted homosexuality, but in the context of military culture. The Spartan wedding ceremony consisted of the bride having her head shaved, dressed in male garb, and being taken to the groom's tent by his comrades in a sort of ritualized abduction. After performing his conjugal duty, the groom would join the guys for a night of drunken revelry. Spartan were apparently renowned for their beauty and known for practicing rampant lesbianism.

Medieval & Renaissance men (among the aristocracy anyway) were indeed quite the strutting peacocks. Men in tights and all that. I once read where it was a common sight at jousting tournaments for women prostitutes to ply their trade dressed in such men-in-tights male garb. Whether "showing some leg" was meant to attract homosexual or heterosexual male customers (both?) is anybody's guess. In a later gender bending twist, women prostitutes dressed as boys would walk the aisles of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome to attract male customers. See the chapter on Renaissance Popes in Barbara Tuchman's book, The March of Folly.

That was more my point. Ralax and enjoy the many verities. I read something a long time ago
"Why limit your experience to half the population because of similar plumbing.

 

[Maidboy]

Ralax and enjoy the many verities.

Indeed, variety is the spice of life.

 

[Dam_Fool]

I see a lot of people here questioning why an I have desires for sexual interaction with the same sex? I am not gay I am straight!

The real question is why isn't doing it? That is solely the tenant of religion. If you study history you will find bisexuality has been around for all of recorded history.
The Greeks were the most vocal about it. The Romans practiced it as a matter of course. It is only when religion enters the bedroom that we see a decrease in bisexual activity. The religious leaders have used sex as a means of controlling the population for thousands of years and where religion is weak we see people engaging in all forms of sexuality. So I say enjoy guilt free!!!!

It has to do with religion and Western European Germanic culture.

Believe it or not, the OT is not against homosexuality. It calls one act a no-no, which is "like a woman", which may mean missionary sodomy. And that could be considered, COULD BE, related to the ease some people could get a infection or colon issue. But otherwise, gay was okay.

Romans weren't all pro-gay. The conservative Romans, more the military branches, were as homophobic as modern times. Maybe more at times. The more liberal ones were more open to it, like California.

Western Roman powers, which took the helm of Christendom, Paul's version to the anger and dismay of the Apostles and original Christians, which pushed the anti-gay issue. Then, when the Germanic tribes took over and became the helm holders of Christianity, they brought their pagan faith's disdain and hatred of it with them and plugged it into Christianity, along with a bunch of other stuff. Most religions at the time were influenced by them, and thus, you got your problem. "A real man is not gay."

There were cultures and other faiths that didn't care for it. But there were some who didn't care for heterosexuality either. No, religion leaders weren't trying to control people via sex.

Most religions are philosophies about reality, based on a mix of scientific fact, educated conclusions, guesses, fanboy/fangirlisms, and more. The "leaders" were usually just the best philosophers, scientists, or most educated in the field. And most religions attitudes were "This is one path to the truth, among the many paths to the truth. We like to do things this way. If you dont, then leave us alone. Get the hell on." Religions were tied to nationalism, which is where most "convert or die" concepts came from. But it wasnt always that simple. You didnt get the modern insanity till around 50-70 AD birthed from Paulism and the whole Roman build of Christendom.


The thing about history is it cycles. And hopefully one day gay will be normal and okay again. I'd say it's inevitable.

 

[ghostluvver]

okay

Well this was fun !

 

[dacoach44]

Exactly right

That was more my point. Ralax and enjoy the many verities. I read something a long time ago
"Why limit your experience to half the population because of similar plumbing.

Just spent a fun weekend in Chicago with a guy. Smart, cute, good company. Sex was only a part of it. I am his femme in the bedroom. Outside, a couple of guys just looking around. Love it.

 

[ghostluvver]

Just spent a fun weekend in Chicago with a guy. Smart, cute, good company. Sex was only a part of it. I am his femme in the bedroom. Outside, a couple of guys just looking around. Love it.

Good for you coach.
I wish I was still working and traveling so I also could do that. I do so miss that!