Finally a religion that Atheists and religionists can agree on. The discrepancy is in their interpretation and this makes for a fascinating discussion.
From an atheist standpoint, science replaces God. As long as there is science, why do we need a God? Science can even provide a moral base, or so they argue.
Let’s take sex as our subject matter. Sex is the elephant standing in your living room full of guests that nobody will discuss. Safe sex is an oxymoron except within the bonds of matrimony.
Many people become addicted out of curiosity. Some became addicts because of a justifiable need or as an act of deliberate rebellion. While others find themselves in their miserable state of being because of parents and family who violated them when very young.
For example, have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight or to get in better shape? And if so, how many times have you broken the resolution before the 1st quarter expired? Before January expired? Before the day was over?
Why? Is it because you are lazy? Is it because you are a liar?
The anti-thesis to addiction is devotion. Devotion is a profound dedication or worship. It is moving toward the light of Christ. It is a healthy relationship between the devotee and the person or principle of devotion.
Addiction and devotion cannot reside in the same space. If you are addicted in one area, you cannot be devoted in the same area. As a result, consider the following conflicts presented with addictive behavior.
Let’s review the meaning of addiction.
Addiction is a way to meet our needs and wants in a misapplied or dysfunctional way. It is any activity that you cannot control and it gets worse over time. It is the use of a substance or an experience (action) for the purpose of removing pain or gaining pleasure.
The most common addictions known and discussed publicly are:
Lesser-known but also common addictions are:
So far, I have only addressed one aspect of addiction. It is the most commonly discussed addiction in the LDS culture. However, it is only one addiction. According to a 1995 study, as many as 10 million females are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder.
There is even a new addiction coined by Dr. Steven Bratman called Orthorexia to describe those who obsess about healthy eating and not about being thin and losing weight.
Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment. The mortality rate for those suffering from an eating disorder is staggering.
Scientists, and to a small degree, the public are familiar with the damage to the brain caused by drug addiction. Meaning drugs introduced to the body from the outside.
Research has discovered that any addiction causes the same brain damage that drug addiction causes. Our brain is a natural pharmacy complete with computer sensors all through the body.
When a chemical is deficient, the brain sends a message to the pharmacist, who then sends the appropriate dosage to the region of the body in need. Recent research has taught us that many of the drugs on the outside of the body are also produced on the inside.
The Gypsy Moth
In 1869, the gypsy moth was introduced to Medford, MA to produce silk for the local industry. Some moths however, escaped and starting killing trees. Since that time they have spread west and south and are responsible for billions in environmental damage.
In 1972, scientists discovered an unusual weapon against the moths. I call it Greek-icide. Rather than employing toxic pesticides to kill the caterpillars and adults, they used sex. This may seem a bit unusual, however, considering what happened to both Rome and Greece when sexuality ran rampant in the streets, it makes sense.
Research indicates that 100% of males have viewed pornography by their senior year in high school. The average age of exposure is 11.
From a Darwinian perspective, those who practice unrestrained sexuality are selecting themselves and their DNA for extinction. The psychiatrist Norman Doidge in his book, The Brain That Changes Itself says:
“The men (and they are overwhelmingly men) who become hooked on this bilge are often miserable about it. They know that it affects their capacity to love and be loved by real women. Pornographers promise healthy pleasure and a release from sexual tension, but what they often deliver is an addiction, tolerance, and an eventual decrease in pleasure.”
In 70 AD the world’s most powerful civilization destroyed Jerusalem and demolished the Temple of Herod. No brick or stone was left untouched.
30 years later, in 100 AD the Roman strength had dramatically atrophied due to an excess of indulgence. Sexual excesses may have reduced human fertility to the extent that in 161, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius enrolled slaves, gladiators, policemen and criminals to replenish his army.
By 192, the emperor Pertinax offered farms gratis (free of cost) to anyone who would till them. In 193, the government was openly speaking of a shortage of men. Historians would later report than the male population had been halved.
