Masterbation..!!!

This lecuture was based on masterbation, a very personal subject. Me personally didn't like it, mainly because I think its something that people should keep to themselves. People get embarassed when topics like this is raised. I found it quite uncomfortable listening to Mark talk about it to be honest.

Personally, I think that materbation is a horrible act... it's for self-gratification! I've read some things about it from a Christian perspective and a secular perspective, both have different views. Obviously the Christians perspective is against the act, the secular classes it as natural. I can understand both, but my stance is the Christian perspective.

Masterbation can be unhealthy, I've read that it cause men to go bold and have impaired vision. The following statement is from http://www.steadyhealth.com/Can_masterbation_have_negative_effects__t85833.html

Masterbation does affect your vision and yes it is the leading cause of hairloss in men and androgenic alopecia. DHT or dihydratetestosterone is the leading cause of hairloss in men. By masterbating and changing your body chemistry you are overproducing testosterone and therefore its byproduct DHT. DHT clings to hair follicles and weakens them. NOTE: Majority of men who are bald also wear corrective lenses, indicative of habitual or chronic masterbation.

There are much more negative side effects from masterbation:

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  Epididymitis and followed with depression


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  Groin pains and fatigue


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  Testicular pain


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  Erection problems


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  Lower back pain Abdominal pain

I've read how people suffer because they materbate on regs.

I'm human like everybody else, I just try to stay focused on God and He helps me get through sexual urges without masterbating. Although there are some Christians who think that its ok, I'm not judge on that, its a personal issue!

Stealing, prostitution, and stalking...!!!

Last weeks lecture was good as we got to watch clips from different films and programmes. The first one we watched was 'Breaking out is hard to do', Family guy, 2007, FOX.

We had to discuss the following questions:

Is shop lifting any different to any other kind of theft?

I answered 'no', both of them involve stealing. Regardless of the value, if you take something that does not belong to you, you are a thief..!!!

Why do people who can afford to buy things shop lift them instead?

I think its because they experience a 'buzz' when they do it, especially if they get away with it. I can remember when I was in secondary school, I hung around with a bunch of girls and a few boys who got into shoplifting at lunch times, and I got involved too, we stole stuff like chocolates and sweets. I used to get excited when I got away with it.

Even though sometimes we could afford to buy the items, we stole because it was quite easy and we could get away with and save a few pounds.

So I think that's the main reason why people who can afford to buy things, steal instead.

'Breakfast at Tiffany's' 1961, Paramount

This clip was based on prostitution...

Is it prostitution to take money from someone who is expecting sex, but then to not supply it?

I thought that this was a pretty straight forward question, and that it was obvious that it is not prostitution, but some people said that it was still prostitution, I still can't understand why they think that way..!!! I thought that prostitution meant to traffic yourself, give sex in exchange for something like money or drugs..!

If it isnt prostitution then is it more or less socially respectable?

Well, because Tiffany took the man's cash without giving him what he expected in exchange, she is a thief..!! Prostitution and stealing are both wrong in my eyes. However, other people may think that stealing is more or less socially respectable than prostitution.

If it is prostituion, then how much is reasonable charge?

Although this question doesn't apply to me, I'm going to state my opinion...

I believe that sex is a special gift from God that should not and cannot be priced, it's something that should be saved for marriage and kept to enjoy between a man and his wife...!!!!

Peek show, 2005, Objective Productions

This was based on stalking...

When does a concerned interest in someone's activity become stalking?

I think it becomes stalking when a person goes out their way to find out something about another person. For example, the man on this show logged on to the lady's computer to find out other things about her. Not only that, but he must have been asking her general questions to see if any of her answers would be the password for her computer. That is not normal..!!

It's sort of like obsession..!!!

Are some sort of observances allowed and appropriate? Which ones aren't?

I think that it's alright and very normal to have an interest in someone, and its ok to probably talk to their friends about them so that you can find out more about them. But I think that a line should be drawn... when a person starts to go undercover to find things out about someone, it's wrong..!!! For example, following them around without them knowing, like hinding in bushes to find out where they do their shopping. Why don't you just ask the person..!!??

http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/P/prostitution/

http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/learning_problem/stealing.html

http://www.antistalking.com/

Smoking

Smoking is a disgusting habit. I used to be a smoker myself, and to be honest I quite enjoyed it! I wasn't addicted to it, I mostly enjoyed blowing the smoke out of my mouth and nose! However, since I became a Chistian just four years ago, I have completely gone of the habit, I can't stand the smell of it, it disgusts me.
I also find it so rude when people smoke in public places, it's so selfish, they aren't thinking about the health of the people around them, even children and babies, they're just thinking about satisfying their crave for nicotine! Something that often boggles my mind is the fact that people know that smoking is bad for health, yet continue to do it. I understand, from an authour who's book I read, I can't remember his name, but he carried out research on a group of people who smoke and found that although they knew it wasn't healthy, they carried on because of the short pleasure they got from it.

I believe that this is valid, for most of us, not just people who smoke, but those of us who know the dangers behind certain things we may do, e.g eating junk food on a regular basis unprotected sex, stealing, lieing, etc. We all know that they have dangers, yet most of us take part in these practices. I think that all smokers should at least try to give up the habit. There is so much help available today to get smokers unhooked. It is better to try and get unhooked than to live with regret after finding out that you have a terminal disease from smoking, knowing that you had the opportunity to quit but didn't take it!
Try to look beyond the temporary pleasure you can get from smoking and think about the longterm benefits you can get if you try to give up.
I noticed that I could run for longer when I gave it up (with God's help).
For those who smoke in public places let me ask you very nicely to consider the people around you, we don't want to take in those poisionous fumes you're making us inhale, please go somewhere else to satisfy your craving.

Thank you very much!!!

God Bless!
One Love!

Precious J

http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact02.html