In a message dated 3/5/01 2:33:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, steve@whitecrow.demon.co.uk writes:

<< Putting it more strongly, sex is one of those things that's part of our primal nature, for keeping the species as a whole going. So's violence, greed, and defecating where you stand. If I can get through the day without beating up someone (or something), taking what they've got because I want it, and leaving a trail of crap behind me, I'm being unnatural. Doesn't make it a bad thing.

Abstinence can be as bad as indulgence, if taken to extremes. Apply common sense to your own situation. >>

Exactly the idea I was putting forth as an opinion, Steve. Thanks for the succinct summary. It isn't 'natural' to put up skyscrapers, but some of us do it...and some of us don't. It isn't 'natural' to diet to lose weight, but many of us do, and others have no need. It isn't 'natural' to worship an invisible being of your choice...but the majority of us make that choice. One of the more recent trends of the species is to rise above the 'natural'...which, as you, say, doesn't make it a 'bad' thing. On the other hand, let us not forget that there are other things we do within this trend that aren't necessarity good things, either (i.e. bulemia, firing scud missles at each other, fraud, Temptation Island, etc.) A good many fundamentalist believers have taken pride over trascending the pagan influence of the 'natural'.

Leah