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Erotica for the evangelical set

SIRI AGRELL

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:41 AM EDT 30/08/07

Religious-themed sex guides are flying off the shelves - some even give believers permission to enjoy a good romp ...Read the full article

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  1. M Hawk from Canada writes: About time.
    I get tired of hearing about how bad, immoral, taboo, etc sex is.
    It's an adult thing, like politics and alcohol, keep it away from the younguns.
    But rejoice, the time to hump is now!
  2. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Why didn't I think of this marketing ploy ? BRILLIANT !

    Yet this book is being promoted to religious women, only. Perhaps uh, 'certain' religious men don't NEED a book for help . . . since, uh, 'certain' religious men have already proven themselves adept at sex: with mistresses, 'young folks,' or strangers in washrooms.
  3. MJ Patchouli from Canada writes: Who is telling you it's bad, immoral and taboo?
  4. True Grit from Calgary, Canada writes: I wonder what these books says about 'getting yourself off'?
  5. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: Wow... what kind of fricken losers buy this crap? Get a life.
  6. Old Folksinger from Canada writes: I didn't see the chapters on gay and lesbian sex. Was that a printer's error?
  7. Akbar M from Regina, Canada writes: I don't think the author of this story knows what erotica is. A sex manual is not erotica. Neither is the 'wholesome' romance stories of Christian fiction.
  8. garlick toast from mill village, Canada writes: fundamentalists should take a page from the shaker sect of new york state.they banned sex because they were afraid it would lead to dancing.net result?no more shakers.
    p.s. the circular saw blade was invented by a shaker woman.
  9. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: garlick: . . . CORRECTION: The Selective Fundamentalists are against sex because they think it will lead to dancing . . . AND CARD PLAYING.
  10. That Guy from Canada writes: Seriously, am I the only one who is really curious about Bad Girls of the Bible? Might have to look that one up! Hilarious.
  11. True Grit from Calgary, Canada writes: Brandan Matchett from Halifax, your description of the Taliban sounds very much like the description of North American evangelical christians.
  12. Paul Rogers from Ottawa, Canada writes: Whats next - believing that the world wasn't made in 7 days!?
  13. Johnny Red from Canada writes: Table of Contents
    Pg 1: Missionary Style
    Pg 2: Index
  14. Normand LaBine from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada writes: What's kind of paradoxical is that they all focus on the physical, not the Spritual techniques. Says a lot about the void in religious concepts. People should look at the Song Of Solomon beyond all the eroticism used to depict something far deeper. They should consider the fact that they are one of the few human acts where their entire endocrine systems are in parallel (read Ecclesiastes 12) and how they can each provide restorative energy to each other in their 7 endocrine glands and therefore heal the Silver Cord and connect with their own spirituality. One of the other human activities is a simple hug, dancing. Wrestling isn't as pro-creative. It is called procreative, and although we usually associate it with impregnation, there's a whole lot more to understand. Just think of the potential of being in union, in unison, re-energizing each other and bonding even deeper. Religions unfortunately fall short of the mark, when it comes to helping people know, rather than just know about, who they really are, and how much more potent they really are, beyond bedroom entertainment or sweet stories about romantic ideas of some God floating on cloud nine. My dad always wondered out loud about 'what was God inventing next, after inventing sex?' You have to wonder how an adventurous inventor/Creator could have decided to give each of us some male and female qualities so that we'd have some innate understanding one toward the other. I'd say God has a pretty humourous, sensuous aspect, just by looking at the many varieties of physical techniques we've come up with, without ever exploring the other planes of pleasure and recovery included in sexual activity. Just how did Job and Abraham live to 140 years, or Sarah be healthy enough to give birth at 84? And men and women today need pills just to get the body to respond to the urge? What's missing? Information or technique? Read Solomon's Song. Far more there than meets the eye or the heart.
  15. Synchronicity Tour from Canada writes: Old Folksinger from Canada writes: I didn't see the chapters on gay and lesbian sex. Was that a printer's error?

    Why would they have that? That’s as wrong as bestiality or pedophilia.
  16. Orengo Petawawa from Canada writes: Gay and lesbian sex are not wrong. They involve love between consenting adults and do not hurt anyone. Bestiality and pedophilia are wrong because they DO involve victims who get hurt.
  17. gord winters from Canada writes: Paul Jones from Kitchener, Canada writes: hahahahahahaha

    really? can you back that up with some sort of argument?

    back on topic.. i was given much valuable instruction by a preacher's daughter......
  18. Scot Affleck from Prince George, Canada writes: Is fur kosher?
  19. MJ Patchouli from Canada writes: Jim Whitney: The Christian Guide to Natural Physiological Function?
  20. Mr Fijne from Canada writes: So what should lawfully, religiously married people NOT have pleasure?
  21. Andie F from Yo Momma's House, Canada writes: I am all for things that will spice up a relationship...like porn or toys...but seriously and INSTRUCTION MANUAL??

    If you are already married and you don't know how to have sex, then you are pretty damn sad. These 'religious' how-to books are just more things to market to the 'faithful' sheep that need to be told how to do everything from fart to pick their nose.
  22. Pharma Writer from Toronto, Canada writes: Bad Girls of the Bible, by Liz Curtis Higgs: From Amazon.com:
    Humorist and popular storyteller Higgs (Help! I'm Laughing and I Can't Get Up) takes a look at the vamps and tramps of the Bible, searching for the lessons these wicked women have to teach. She acknowledges that as much as she admires Sarah's faithfulness and Mary's innocence, she finds that her own life contains many of the shortcomings of women such as Rahab, Delilah and Lot's wife. When Higgs begins her study of Jezebel, she notes, 'I understood her pushy personality, I empathized with her need for control, I tuned into her angry outbursts...but boy did she teach me what not to do in my marriage.' She places the ten women in her study into four categories. Eve, she says, was the 'First Bad Girl,' for badness has to begin somewhere. Potiphar's wife (who tried to seduce Joseph), Delilah and Jezebel, Higgs says, were 'Bad to the Bone': these women 'sinned with gusto from bad beginning to bitter end.' Women who were 'Bad for a Moment,' and who have forever been characterized by their 'life-changing' mistakes, include Saphhira, Michal and Lot's wife (who was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back on her homeland against God's commands). Higgs says that Rahab, the prostitute who helped the Israelites conquer Jericho, the Woman at the Well and the Sinful Woman were 'Bad for a Season, but Not Forever': these women 'had plenty of sin in their past, but they were also willing to change and be changed.' Higgs opens each chapter with a fictional retelling of the biblical story and then proceeds to a verse-by-verse exegesis and commentary on the biblical text. Each chapter closes with four lessons to be learned from the life of the bad girl and eight 'thoughts worth considering.' Higgs retells these biblical stories with rollicking humor and deep insight as she teaches about the nature of sin and goodness. (Aug.)
  23. F/A josquin from van, Canada writes:

    THERE IS NO GOD.
  24. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Normand LaBine:-- Where have you been these many weeks? Or is this the only topic that has interested you? ;-)
  25. leo bloom from radisson, sask, canada, Canada writes: Ever wonder why people sometimes shout out 'Holy Geebus' at that glorious stroke? Coincidence? I think not ; )
  26. Justin W from Canada writes: I love how this forum has turned into a trash religion forum, more specifically Christianity- I'm not telling people to convert, but why all the attention to Christianity? You're right, the world being created in 7 days is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay less realistic than an elderly man emerging from a woman's womb at birth (Taoism), or the idea that the surging of the Ganges river in spring is the result of the icicles on the beard of a deity melting (Hinduism)......instead of just trashing a religion based on stereotypes, why not respect other peoples decisions and accept that other people are able to make decisions that you don't necessarily agree with....As for the fact that there is erotica for christians- Some don't have sex before marriage, they may feel the need to 'bone up' on the technique, i hardly find anything wrong with that. Although i do see a trend in ______ for christian guides out there that are not much more than a cash-grab

    oh, and F/A josquin: although your argument is convincing, this is hardly the forum for that....I'm sure you can find a Richard Dawkins forum somewhere in here
  27. leo bloom from radisson, sask, canada, Canada writes: Hey Justin...'bone up'...? Accidental non sequitor or just 'rising' emotions?
  28. Old Folksinger from Canada writes: Synchronicity Tour from Canada writes: Gay and lesbian sez are as wrong as bestiality or pedophilia.

    And would you please explain to us just how you made that giant intellectual leap?
  29. Vickky Angstrom from Calgary, Canada writes: Do you think the evangelicals have just discovered what the Catholics have known all along: more sex=more babies=more people paying tithes to their church?

    There has to be more to spirituality than organized religion. It is so easy to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Especially since the bathwater has become so murky. One hardly even remembers there's a baby in it.
  30. Vickky Angstrom from Calgary, Canada writes: Old folksinger: Synchronicity Tour poster is probably just a teenager trying to bait you by posting hate comments on the site.
  31. F/A josquin from van, Canada writes: Heh old folk singer----my words aren't for the chronically superstitious, they are for the wavering, for the unconvinced, and the skeptics (like you, and me).

    It is time for our ideas to take hold, time to crawl out from the dark caves of our superstitious human infancy and--- and------opps-----sounding a little religious here-----just time to be heard is all !!

    Religions have had their day and got us nowhere. Through our man-made gods, we have created and sustained a true mess. Time to clean it up, time to be guiltless, healthy humans. Time to live.
  32. France G from Ottawa, Canada writes: I find it a bit disturbing that such popular 'celebrities' such as Rabbi Schmuley (sp.??) have taken over the airwaves...he's on Oprah, TLC and other American shows and while I agree with some of what he says (he is there to 'preach good' in the world), for the most part I say : what a crock!!! The fact that he wrote a book in which he condems sex in any other position but missionary is rediculous! And the fact that his books sell like hot cakes is even more rediculous! Goodness, people should loosen up a bit.....have sex however feels good, in whichever position.....why do we have to have a reason for everything....that's what's wrong with this world...we look for too many justifiable reasons to do something.....
  33. F/A josquin from van, Canada writes: Heh Justin any and every forum that mentions the words 'god' 'sex' 'sin' and 'missionary position' is open season on religion bashing in my books-----and in Richard Dawkins, for that matter.

    What better forum is there frankly
  34. Ex Drone from Ottawa, Canada writes: As per the US Senator Craig scandal and many other similar sex controversies involving extreme right-wing politicians, televangelists and talk jocks, social conservatives and religious fundamentalists have the same sexual desires and behaviours as the rest of the population. They just spend more time fretting about it, hiding it and publicly denouncing it. Maybe these books will help them admit their basic human nature. (I was going to say help them get their heads out of their asses, but I was afraid they might mistake that for a recommended sexual position.)
  35. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Justin: You make several mistakes:

    (1) You launch into an episode of Victimitis. You claim that the commenters here are attacking Christianity . . . well, have you bothered to READ THE ARTICLE ? It is ABOUT evangelical Christians . . . hence the emphasis in the comments to evangelical Christians.

    (2) You defend your position by claiming that these attacks are made on "stereotypes". Is THAT how you deal with this ? By referring to what your beliefs are as . . . "stereotypes" ? Weak. Try again.

    You are wise not to make a serious attempt to defend the 6-day Creation fairy tale in Genesis (actually, as you know, there are TWO versions in Genesis, the most popular being the first-in-order).

    These commenters are accurate in their assessments of the subject of this article . . . an attempt by a Christian to cash in on the anxiety caused by nonsense created by certain Christians about the subject of sex, by . . . writing a book pretending to be "the proper Christian attitude" (in essence) re: sex.

    The book deserves an honoured place in the Religion and Folklore Aisle in Chapters throughout the country.
  36. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: Here we go again..... All the zealots from BOTH religious sides purporting to KNOW the will of God...

    FUNNY... VERY FUNNY...

    MADE MAY DAY!!
  37. Brad F from Milton, Canada writes: I'm hopping on the bus with Folksinger and Josquin in regards to the obviously ridiculous existence of God...Although I am still wondering how I got that quarter under my pillow when I lost my tooth...maybe that was him/her?

    However, a book that teaches anoyone "churched" or not to have better sex, and love better (physically) can't be all bad?!?! AMEN!
  38. F/A josquin from van, Canada writes: Heh Justin-----I trash religions because they are trash, christianity trashiest among all-------superstitious garbage, all of it. I am oh so tired of being told I must 'respect' someone's religious beliefs because they are, well, religious.

    THERE IS NO GOD and we all instinctively know how to have sex well. The reason this stupid book, and all stupid sexual books abound is the due to the equally stupid, and inhuman strictures our many religions impose on the sexual act, and our very natural drives.

    give me a break----
  39. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Has anyone posting here read this book?

    I am guessing that the answer is NO.
  40. Old Folksinger from Canada writes: F/A josquin from van, Canada writes: the truth.

    You are right but unfortunately the 'churched' (I love it when I am referred to as 'unchurched') are unable to understand your words. Brainwashed, addicted and indoctrinated they will face death waiting for the arm of their imaginary friends and at the moment of passing realize they are alone.

    A cruel con but an immensely clever con.
  41. M M from Ottawa, Canada writes: ahh more marketing for the religious masses. I too am amazed that no one figured this potential bestseller out yet.

    http://awayfromshadows.blogspot.com/2007/08/dont-drink-holy-water.html

    and

    http://awayfromshadows.blogspot.com/2007/08/buyers-remorse.html
  42. I. M. Al Wayswright from Canada writes: F/A josquin from van, do you think your ranting will ever convince anyone that there's no God? Be a bit more humble, you are just as insufferable as the religious fanatics. You are a non-religious fanatic.
    I can't tell you for sure if there is a God or not, however I do keep an open mind, while you don't.
  43. Mike L. from Canada writes: F/A josquin from van, Canada writes: "Heh Justin-----I trash religions because they are trash, christianity trashiest among all-------superstitious garbage, all of it. I am oh so tired of being told I must 'respect' someone's religious beliefs because they are, well, religious."

    So you are a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist atheist who just KNOWS there is no God...so therefore you are God...because you have...the answer.

    Sheesh...I.M. is right, you are just as big a bore as religious fanatics.
  44. C A from Toronto, Canada writes: "Synchronicity Tour from Canada writes: Old Folksinger from Canada writes: I didn't see the chapters on gay and lesbian sex. Was that a printer's error? Why would they have that? That’s as wrong as bestiality or pedophilia." you really want to strike that match? first of all.. your display of lack of intelligence is mildly amusing... comparing gay/lesbian sex to engaging in sex with ANIMALS and YOUNG CHILDREN shows me how incredibly sad and pathetic you are. second... the only reason those books are flying off the shelf is because most faiths frown on the possibility that sex can be more than just reproduction and now that someone has said its ok to enjoy sex, now all the "freaks" are climing from their high horse. puhlease.. third.. if sex is now about connecting spirtually and emotionally with some pleasure... aka.. not just for reproduction, why isnt it ok for gays/lesbians?? i mean, most crazy religious maniacs who oppose same sex relations are against it because the purpose of uniting man and woman is to have children... if this is no longer the case and we are actually gearing books to these same religious hypocrites.. i mean, fanatics, i fail to see why your comment even exists. fourth.. those who are so incredibly scared of gay/lesbian relations usually show it with ridiculous comparisons and insults. you need help. fast.
  45. Miss Daisy from Canada writes: Wow, the secularists are angry and sarastic today. Why so defensive?

    Anyway, I have read parts of both of the books mentioned, as well as some secular sex guides - yes there are such things. The nice thing about the religious books is that they treat the sexual act and the husband and wife with respect. It isn't merely a bodily function that happens to be fun, it is about relationship. These books deal with both aspects.

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