Practically speaking, don't we need to "test drive the car before we buy it?"

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In this sense, the criminal law “does not work for them” - it runs counter to their goals. Rejecting it is the only logical course for someone committed to stealing to follow.
Tell that to a corporate lawyer. 👍
Now, I think there is going to be a question of “baby and bathwater” to be assessed by you at some point, but that may take a while to be resolved according to the **ultimate **outcomes you experience. But I certainly don’t know you well enough to speculate about that. As you’ve said, it will be between you and the Almighty.
As I’ve already said, it’s been pointed out and yet you’re one of the few people who have pointed out the futility and are humble enough to realize their limitations. Perhaps these people should follow their own advice and live their lives and create their own experiences.

It’s a better use of time than condemning online strangers that they don’t know. Alas, such seems par for the course whenever I come here. 🤷
 
Perhaps these people should follow their own advice and live their lives and create their own experiences.

It’s a better use of time than condemning online strangers that they don’t know. Alas, such seems par for the course whenever I come here. 🤷
But, Lost Wanderer, this is a site for discussion. No-one knows you (or anyone else) from Adam - everyone is an “online stranger that we don’t know”. But, the aim is to discuss. People will put an argument counter to yours if that’s how they think on an issue. You do the same thing. Neither need be an attack. If you announce to a faithful Catholic that “it doesn’t work for you”, that you’ve chucked out “much of the Church’s elaboration on the 10 commandments”, Catholicism bled you dry with guilt, etc, etc, … and this is not the experience of others, do you think this might get question, or even challenged? I reckon it might. This is not a Blog where we just make speeches that can be read, but where no contrary response is admitted. 🤷

Sure, some people make some of their posts needlessly personal - attacking the person rather than the argument. Both I think there is less of that than you make out.
 
But, Lost Wanderer, this is a site for discussion. No-one knows you (or anyone else) from Adam - everyone is an “online stranger that we don’t know”. But, the aim is to discuss. People will put an argument counter to yours if that’s how they think on an issue. You do the same thing. Neither need be an attack. If you announce to a faithful Catholic that “it doesn’t work for you”, that you’ve chucked out “much of the Church’s elaboration on the 10 commandments”, Catholicism bled you dry with guilt, etc, etc, … and this is not the experience of others, do you think this might get question, or even challenged? I reckon it might. This is not a Blog where we just make speeches that can be read, but where no contrary response is admitted. 🤷

Sure, some people make some of their posts needlessly personal - attacking the person rather than the argument. Both I think there is less of that than you make out.
Yes. It’s like going on a BMW forum and talking about how German cars are overrated and too expensive to maintain–expect pushback.
 
Lost Wanderer,
From someone who has been there, wound, you can be tempted to throw it all out (religion, God’s Law) especially if the trauma is severe and it seems that God isn’t listening, isn’t helping etc.
We can all go through this. It is during those dark moments where clarity comes with perseverance in prayer and doing what is right anyway.
Because you follow God’s commandments doesn’t make you co-dependent, the term used to describe a dysfunctional relationship. We may have dysfunction on our part, but God can not because he is perfect and knows what is best for us even when we may not fully comprehend it.
 
And no, I blatantly reject your request to ‘take into consideration’ what you’ve said. I have no appreciation to your presumptuous attacks you call ‘advice.’ The only thing you need to congratulate yourself on is the fact that you’ve only hardened my convictions.
The “guilt” ploy won’t work. Attempting to use it is quite revealing, actually, in terms of how apportioning “blame” and distributing the responsibility to others for your decisions is still an active part of your psyche. Clearly, the driving force behind your decision-making is not seeking the “good” or the “truth” but, rather, merely some form of tenuous emotional response to what others say, where blaming others serves as a safety net to protect you against holding yourself accountable. Explains a great deal about why you are where you are.

I am not interested in playing ping pong any further and since you get emotionally charged by and react to the comments of others rather than simply and rationally see them as plausible observations that were meant to express an alternate point of view that you might take into account, you seem unwilling, at this point in time, at least, to recognize where you stand as a “player” in the game - you aren’t. You are being played.

Do yourself a favour. Don’t respond to this post. Demonstrate that you, at least, have the wherewithal to show some restraint. That would be a start.

In any case, I’m done.

Last post.
 
Actually, yes I am. Now if only you guys could actually be helpful or be humble enough to admit that what I’m reading here is nothing new. Good God, the best I got are some new sources that led outside these boards (thanks Xantippe 👍).
So, to clarify, are you looking for dating advice in particular? Because if so that was never really very clear… also, it would probably be better to start a new thread about that as the way people respond on this thread is influenced by the fact that the point of this thread was to claim Catholic teaching on sex before marriage is wrong. So, when you post in that context agreeing that the Church’s teachings are wrong and giving lengthy explanations about why things you assumed were Church teaching are wrong it really is not at all surprising that people would assume you are attacking the Church rather than realize that you are actually looking for dating advice.
I was about to consider how much of Catholicism I got ‘wrong’ but the presumptuous condescension served to me now inclines me to wonder if the ‘right’ Catholicism really isn’t any different from the views I’ve come to reject.
I swear the day these boards become even remotely reliable is the day I am free to discuss my sexual fantasies here. 🤷
I’m gonna be honest here, having a good and useful discussion online is a two-way street and very few of your replies here have been really conducive to a good discussion. So the problem isn’t just with the people you are speaking with on here, though I do agree you have received some inappropriate and unnecessarily harsh responses.

If you are still interested in working to figure out the differences between the extreme opinions of some Catholics that led you on a wrong path and Catholicism itself I am more than will to do what I can to help you.

So far what you have said about the “catholic” opinions you reject is that they implied that you should be non-assertive and just wait for God to hand you what you want on a silver platter. Neither of those belong to a correct understanding of Catholicism where we are told to trust in God and His providence, yes, but also told to go work to make things happen, we are not allowed to just sit back passively and then expect God to hand us a perfect life. I know I’ve seen a quote in the CCC which makes this clear, but I am strapped for time at the moment so I’ll have to look for it later.

Are there any other particular ideas that you associated with Catholicism that you felt were holding you back?
 
I’m a little lost as to how this flowed into the thieves and jail thing because I don’t have time to read all 18 pages, so I am addressing the OT of “don’t we need to test drive the car”. I’m sure I’m not going to bring anything new to the table either but I couldn’t stop myself from replying.

I’m a mom of sons and I work with a large amount of 20 something young men who tell me all about their lives so I’m going to speak from that perspective since you don’t seem to be a believer.

Sex before marriage is against God’s design but let’s take that out of the equation for this. There are many risks and sacrifices you make by having “casual” sex…even if you are so-called committed to the person (but not married). STDs are very real and I know many people who are permanently altered because of this. Herpes, HIV and HPV are for life. You may not think those things are that big of a deal but what if someday you do want to get married. Those things are incurable. Would you want to put your future wife at risk? HIV leads to AIDS which leads to a long illness and even death. HPV causes cervical cancer in women. Would you want your wife to have cancer because of your actions before you married her? I am told that Herpes is hell on earth. Imagine itching and burning of your genital region off and on for the rest of your life. This isn’t even taking into account curable STDs that can also have permanent damage to your body. Scary stuff.

Not enough of a deterrent? I speak from experience on this one. Giving yourself to someone in the act of sex, is like giving a piece of yourself away. I haven’t always been a Catholic or even a believer in Christ. I lived for me for a long time. This reckless way of living lead to my oldest child. I was not prepared for a child. I was, in fact, still a child in a lot of respects (18 years old). I wouldn’t change having my son but HIS life has been harder than it needed to be since I wasn’t financially prepared for him. Pregnancy happens. They don’t even call it “safe sex” anymore, they’ve gone to the phrase “safer sex”. Safer than if you used nothing but even the liberal left can’t honestly say it’s SAFE. Stuff happens and don’t go into it expecting not to be a statistic. It’s like playing Russian roulette with your private parts. Not smart.

As for testing a future wife…sexual chemistry in the beginning of a relationship shows nothing. Most relationship, whether you waited for marriage or not, are hot, sexually speaking, in the beginning. This does not tell you what it will be like in a couple of years, 10 years, 20 years down the road. Things change. People are not statues. Things happen, life happens, you adjust and grow because of LOVE and COMMITMENT.

Sex is only beautiful when you are in love AND committed. Again, I’m not just talking here, I know from experience. Of course you want to have sex, it’s a natural urge. Just as if you have an itch, you want to scratch it. But is that what you would want to reduce a woman you care about (or even one you don’t) to…scratching an itch?

You have stated that you truly did want advice, so that is my take. Don’t make decisions now that will affect your future. You do not know what consequences will haunt you for the rest of your days. Don’t find out. Save sex for where it can be the most loving, comforting, exciting, wonderful experience…and that is in the unity of marriage.

Take care, hon.
 
lol go figure from this type of poster
Realistic answer: Yes. Lots of people want to learn how to drive properly and test drive many cars until they find the one they want to keep.

The Catholic answer you will hear: Of course not, sex before marriage is a grave sin, and you are only supposed to drive one car for the rest of your life, only in the state of marriage and for the purpose of having baby cars.
You obviously think that’s absurd. It’s nice to know CAF attracts people who want approval and suffer from immense psycho-sexual insecurities. Kind of tells me more about THEM than the faith they think is bonkers.

But if you don’t mind me making small changes and additions to your “Realistic Answer”: *Yes. Lots of people want to learn how to drive “properly” and test drive many cars until they find the one they want to keep. But, they then realize that the car that they decided to keep, even after “properly” test driving numerous ones before, isn’t the right one. So, after a handful of years they’ll be looking for another because the emotions built up are waning. Too bad for the car. Good for the driver. I hope there isn’t any late credit penalties.
*
 
Would you test-use a toothbrush?
I would love to be able to test-use a toothbrush! I’ve thrown out plenty that turned out to be too hard, too soft, too big, have weird handles, etc. Why wouldn’t you want to test one?
 
I would love to be able to test-use a toothbrush! I’ve thrown out plenty that turned out to be too hard, too soft, too big, have weird handles, etc. Why wouldn’t you want to test one?
eeeewwwww! You don’t mind about all the people that test used it before you and tossed it?
 
My point really, in all of this, is that I want the whole library. I don’t want any thought police (formal, informal, or worst, self-appointed) telling me what I can and cannot look up on the subject of sex and dating. I’m a do-what-it-takes kind of guy. If something doesn’t work, I try something else. That includes the Catholic way.
I can sympathize with that mindset to a good degree - there is definitely prudence to be exercised in following the advice of Christians/Catholics under any circumstances, as there are definitely customs and traditions that don’t quite hold up to modern knowledge. The important thing when unsure of an issue is just to maintain a constant state of learning. I think sexual issues are a bit too strict according to popular Church beliefs, but I also think said issues are too loosely regarded by general humanity. The major theme of Catholic moral living is moderation in everything though, and proper moderation varies from individual to individual.
This is really my point about lack of guilt-tripping. People here can say what they want but I have never been condemned to the gates of hell or imply that I’m diving into the maw of Satan for not taking the advice of secular sources. Instead, it’s usually the Catholics who opt for guilt-tripping and inducing moralistic anxiety. For the sexually laid back, all I mostly get is, “Give it a try! It’s all on you! You do whatcha gotta do.”
Agreed there as well. Many people of faith don’t know how to live their faith in the first place. The whole concept of Christian charity is often terribly defaced by a handful of well-meaning grumpy people. In my honest opinion it’s morally imperative for us to question and even to test the legitimacy of our religion and its tenets & traditions - otherwise we have nothing other than blind faith to operate on, which I can’t imagine God would be pleased with. On this particular issue the stakes are pretty high considering it involves your future with a potential spouse, so obviously its important to be prudential when deviating from known methods with known results.

I don’t think that sexual appeal of itself would present a prosperous union just for the fact that the girls I do know, who went with sex over personality, have gone through multiple men, are now middle-low income, and still do not have stable relationships. Meanwhile the girls I know who have “neglected” their sexual impulses in exchange for innocent friendships are either single or dating. They haven’t copulated with their true loves yet, but they don’t have strife to show for it.

You may just need to do some travelling man. Go around, get to see how other people live. I went to Florida, U.S. for three weeks and got a lot of social-moral-cultural experience from it. The outlook on sexual appeal relationships weren’t looking so great there though, just a fair heads-up.
 
Yet these very people are the ones who are saying I got Catholicism wrong, that it was but a ‘rendering’, that I needed more investment. 🤷

From a customer perspective, a business can only do this for so long without starting to sound like its making excuses. Who’s the real crazy one here? 🤷
You are telling me that you’re approaching the Throne of Heaven with a “customer perspective”?

Either believe that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ as His Body by which souls share the divine life won by His Death and Resurrection or quit looking at it at all. If the Church is not infinitely beyond anything to which you’d bring a “customer” attitude, it is worse than nothing at all, because it could not possibly make more impossible claims as a “business,” if a business were what it was.
 
Personally, I’m quite skeptical of a lot of dating advice that goes around under the “Catholic” or “Christian” label as well and outright disagree with a lot of it,** especially a lot of the concepts behind the “courtship” movement.**
Can you expand on this please?
 
Can you expand on this please?
I can’t link to it right now because I’m on my phone, but there’s an article I read recently which domes up a large part of the problem. Essentially, that the courtship model puts way too much pressure on relationships.

Another issue I have with it is with the idea that the couple can never spend any time unchaperoned. And, yes, I totally get they can still have deep conversations in public places. But, I’m sorry, if you are so sex-crazed and sex-driven that driving somewhere together without a chaperone is going to lead you guys to have sex then there are some serious issues going on and neither of you belong in a relationship at all. I really could go on but its late and I’m tired and I know I won’t give my thoughts justice.
 
lol go figure from this type of poster

You obviously think that’s absurd. It’s nice to know CAF attracts people who want approval and suffer from immense psycho-sexual insecurities. Kind of tells me more about THEM than the faith they think is bonkers.

But if you don’t mind me making small changes and additions to your “Realistic Answer”: *Yes. Lots of people want to learn how to drive “properly” and test drive many cars until they find the one they want to keep. But, they then realize that the car that they decided to keep, even after “properly” test driving numerous ones before, isn’t the right one. So, after a handful of years they’ll be looking for another because the emotions built up are waning. Too bad for the car. Good for the driver. I hope there isn’t any late credit penalties.
*
A lot of people wind up ridiculously upside down on their car loans because they trade their cars in too often. It’s a predictable route to financial misery.
 
eeeewwwww! You don’t mind about all the people that test used it before you and tossed it?
Well I assume they’d put it in some kind of autoclave or something in between … or just give you a fresh one and if you didn’t like it they’d toss it and you just wouldn’t pay for it…

I’m just saying it’s a weird analogy. Because the point was about knowing if someone is a good fit for you before you married. And toothbrushes are one of those things (for me at least) that are often not a good fit, so testing would be helpful.
 
Well I assume they’d put it in some kind of autoclave or something in between … or just give you a fresh one and if you didn’t like it they’d toss it and you just wouldn’t pay for it…

I’m just saying it’s a weird analogy. Because the point was about knowing if someone is a good fit for you before you married. And toothbrushes are one of those things (for me at least) that are often not a good fit, so testing would be helpful.
The analogy makes the point that there are some things, that because of the intimate nature of their purpose, are not to be shared around. The decision has to be based on the honest sharing of information (which would be on the product packaging for a toothbrush) and practicing effective use after purchasing.
 
Well I assume they’d put it in some kind of autoclave or something in between … or just give you a fresh one and if you didn’t like it they’d toss it and you just wouldn’t pay for it…

I’m just saying it’s a weird analogy. Because the point was about knowing if someone is a good fit for you before you married. And toothbrushes are one of those things (for me at least) that are often not a good fit, so testing would be helpful.
How do you propose your future wife “autoclave” herself after having given free “tests” to others?

Just pointing out that the idea that women should offer test drives says some pretty negative things about one’s view of women…that they are objects (like a toothbrush) for “use” (which says a lot about one’s view of sex).
:eek:

I’m hoping that some posters here continue to be such jerks that they scare women off before the test drive (for the women’s sake anyway).
Maybe a brothel would suit some of you better. You have to pay, but you can request your “fit” after you’ve done your test drives and find her. And demand she do what it takes to 'work" for you. I reckon for a fee, they’ll even listen to people who want to whine about themselves incessantly.
 
Well I assume they’d put it in some kind of autoclave or something in between … or just give you a fresh one and if you didn’t like it they’d toss it and you just wouldn’t pay for it…

I’m just saying it’s a weird analogy. Because the point was about knowing if someone is a good fit for you before you married. And toothbrushes are one of those things (for me at least) that are often not a good fit, so testing would be helpful.
It is a “weird analogy” precisely because human beings, unlike toothbrushes, are NOT disposable commodities. To view other human being as “testable” in this sense presumes a view that human beings are, at some level, disposable commodities, which is morally abhorrent.

Now this does not preclude the possibility that there is a legitimate sense in which some form of “testing” might be morally licit - suitability for employment, for example. However, marriage is simply not THAT kind of reality because it is not simply some skill or quality that is on the line, but the person him/herself is qua person. Marriage is unconditional love for the person, not conditional “love” of some trait or ability the person may or may not exhibit. Such a “test” misconceives what marriage is, at its core, which means the person misconstrues what they are “testing for” to begin with.

The fact that they think this kind of “testing” is central to, rather than incidental to, what marriage is, is evidence that they don’t understand what a marital relationship is founded upon to begin with.
 
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