It's curious how life is different and yet just the same after a week or so off. The curious bit, for me, is how it does actually feel different in some very intangible ways, possibly the result of stopping and thinking? But at the same time, despite really feeling different, the previous patterns push so vigorously to re-establish themselves that it's almost as if the break and celebration never happened.
Rust never sleeps, as the phrase has it, and it feels as though, having succeeded in making heterosexual fornication socially acceptable, a highly vociferous liberal minority are pushing again to get the same acceptance for all kinds of sexual behaviour. It seems funny writing that, because it sounds so inhibited, repressive and old-fashioned, yet a normal orthodox Christian view of sexual practice would see heterosexual marriage as the only place for sex, and would also see the identity of an individual as being bound up with all facets of their personality and character, rather than primarily identified by their sexual desires.
In light of the above, there was a fascinating report on the BBC website, where in India the offer of sex in exchange for a promise of marriage which was then broken was being used to allege rape. The judge in this particular case saw sex outside marriage and cohabitation as a product of a decadent west, and recognised that no religion accepted sex outside of marriage (not true historically speaking, but he had a point). It's a shame when a judge in India has to remind us that sex outside marriage is not good and healthy and acceptable. I would not want laws made to punish those who fornicate, but rather individuals would honour and esteem sexual purity in themselves and others.
This blog isn't going to become a platform for ranting about sex and sexuality, but it is also an aspect of the Christian faith that is under attack, and therefore worth speaking up about. Comments off because this isn't up for discussion - if you disagree go post on your own blog.