This can go all ways and can include anybody.

What things can be done on TER that can be an abomination in the Bible?

Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things which are also abominations: "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."

 
Example: I moved this subject from a comment on the GD board under a thread about false reviews because GaGambler had a hissy-fit.

Bearing false witness...

-- Modified on 9/8/2020 8:36:02 PM

trolling or just being silly all in good fun is one thing, but trolling to discourage, or to actually hurt people...

for examples of or discussions about a lying tongue, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, and a false witness who utters lies.

There is a politics and RELIGION board for a reason, it's to keep politics and RELIGION off of the other boards.

 
That said, I am happy to see that you have found your way here.

 
As for your question, YES there is all sorts of silly shit in the Bible that we do here on TER that thumpers would consider an "abomination" that can't possibly be news to you. I think George Carlin says it MUCH better than I ever could, Yes It is about the Ten Commandments, but I am sure you'll get the gist of his point.

 
I do find it ironic that you are an enabler for at least three of four of those so called abominations by being a hooker who caters mainly to married men. There is no doubt that ALL married men who see hookers are not just lying, but actually "living a lie" and you help them do it. As a Christian do you feel any shame for your part in helping these men deceive the women that they claim to love and respect?

END OF MESSAGE

I can tell you are going to fit right in here with the libs on this board, you have proven you can lie with the best of them. lol

People automatically assume how other people lean in politics based on (what exactly?)

I only pointed out that you can lie as easily as the libs on this board. And since you and I disagree on almost everything they should, with the exception of "Once" who seems to think you are only here to drum up business, but the rest of them are likely to welcome you with open arms. You know the whole "enemy of my enemy is my friend type of thinking" but of course I don't consider you the "enemy" I simply disagree with most of your positions, ESPECIALLY the ones regarding religion which IMO has fucked up more people than drugs.

The "hookers for Jesus" phenomenon has always been a major head scratcher for me. Believing in god is one thing, but claiming to be a Christian and then shitting all over one of the 10 commandments  makes no sense. That being said, it doesn't really bother me; it just puzzles the shit out of me.

than “evangelical leaders for Jesus” like Jerry Falwell Jr, who shit all over the 10 commandments while acting so holier-than-thou?  At least the Christian providers I know don’t pretend to be saints.

Then there’s the Greatest Commandment.  It’s all about love.  And keep in mind what Jesus said about prostitutes getting to heaven before rich men.  

"Bearing false witness" against your neighbor is the closest thing to lying that made the final "top ten" cut for commandments, but regular lying doesn't seem to be quite that big a sin to God, at least not in the top ten for sure that is. lol

 
While we are at it "Gays for Jesus" has similarly puzzled me. The church plainly doesn't/didn't want gays in their club, so why are Gays so determined to want inclusion in a club that believes they are going to burn in hell for eternity because of their sexual orientation? Of course Gay Muslims are an even bigger head scratcher, but I suppose that's a topic for another thread. lol

It puzzles the shit out of me too. I think it might have to do with necessity, vs trying to tempt people.

The moral struggle I've had over the years w this has been astounding; however, the wrestling has also kind of leaned toward the ignorance of thinking that I'm better than anyone even if I "do everything right."

It's been very humbling.

When I went on one of my sabbaticals from this profession, which I called retirements because I did actually intend to leave entirely, I was asked by a Christian counselor, "Are you ashamed for what you have done?"

I said, "What do you mean, escorting?"

She said, "Yes."

I said, "No. I don't know why, but no. What I am ashamed of, however, are the terrible things I have said to people."

There are many ways to damage someone, and the worst regrets I have in my life were cruel things I'd said, and gossip/slander.

I felt guilty of having sex with other womens' husbands for quite some time, but I know I'm not the cause of their cheating. I don't seek them out. I have a rule. The men must pursue me. I will not pursue them, especially if they are married.

I've struggled for years trying to figure out the torture of being abstinent in this body. At this point, do you feel being an escort better if the men are single? If so/not, is that what your concern is? The adultery part?

This is it right here. When you pretend to be a saint, that's when you're screwed. It undermines the fact that Jesus had to pay for our sins.

Love God and love your neighbors as yourself.

That's Matthew 21:31 - I forgot about that verse! (Thanks, google!)

This parable explains it. Thank you!

Matthew 21: 28-32
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ “And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. “The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. “For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.

Exactly, lol

Just because I quote a scripture verse, you seem to think I'm saying I'm better than other people. It's a simple, "who would have thunk it. Huh."

When I quote religion or faith, remember, it's the way I talk. It pisses people off, but it's a part of who I am, and it's going to come up.

I have a protruding tummy as well unless I am 15# underweight. There are a lot of men who are not attracted to that. At all. But some are. There are men who don't really care one way or the other.

But what I do know, is, the kinds of clients I attract like a challenging conversation and it doesn't really matter what we're talking about.

You really should have a talk with some VERY famous rock stars who included religion n their music
Paul McCartney
James Taylor
Bono of U2
The Byrds
Pete Townshend from The Who
Bob Dylan
Pink Floyd

Are they all religious? I don't know. But they talk about it.

And why do you like when George Carlin talks about (anti) religion, insulting many people's faith, even calling people terrible people for having faith in something higher than themselves... but not okay with a lowly female sex worker referencing something that actually relates to a subject?

I'm not at Vegan status, where I'm walking up to people, saying, "Hi. I'm Vegan and you should be too. Eating meat means you like killing animals and other living creatures."

 

One thing you might neglect to know about me, also, but might not come to a surprise to you... I've been writing music and lyrics since I was 11 years old. I've been an actual musician, including lyrics, guitar, piano, vocals, (melody and harmony,) of many genres, and also write orchestral pieces and am a poet. Since I was a tiny kid.

Musicians tend to have a higher sense of the unseen because they are mediators. Music is a medium that connects people with their own spirituality, with one another, and even with their own selves.

A lot of people don't have time to process things, to put words to things. Musicians, well, life tortures us every day trying to gain an understanding of the many "why's" even you have.

Every "why" in this thread and beyond, I rotate through myself. That's what makes faith that much more confusing. You know that you know that you know, but sometimes you're like, "but do I, because this doesn't make any sense."

Hope this helps!

Xoxo

Oh. P.S. As I mentioned in a different part of a thread, my main regrets are in these abominations, and they are the many terrible things I have said to & about people over the years. My main thing when I was devout Christian, before all of this... after a major disability... was to be gentle, loving, and kind - but mostly to never betray someone's trust by talking behind their back or listening to gossip.

When I got here, I started, and boy - that regret and negative, hurtful words that cast people out and discourage them in a life that is already hard enough when I simply could have stayed silent... those are my greatest regrets.

I'm certain they will happen again and again, but if you want to know what I personally think religion is NOT - and how a Christian ought not act, is to be cruel to another human being - especially when it causes division - and isolates people, casting them out and causing them to be alone.

Looking back at those things break my heart. Not having some dude provide financial support for a little pussy

It's almost like if you don't pick a fight with the LGBTQ+ community, you're a weak Christian and they're going to go to hell because of you.

According to the bible, people don't go to hell because you're any of the things it says not to do. People go to hell because they don't know Jesus.

I had a theory on this as well... who is the greater sinner, the ones saying LGBTQ+ or the sexually immoral don't belong in churches, or those casting them out?

The part that does confuse me, however, is, after you become a Christian, other Christians aren't supposed to hang out with you if you know the truth, yet remain in sin. That's 1st Corinthians Chapter 5. (It's a very confrontational scripture.) Aka, not people who fall in and out of things, but people who actually deliberately live a particular lifestyle but call themselves Christians.

This whole thing has me scratching my head too about how the church approaches Gay people, because - like - there are a bunch of things that are listed a lot more in the Bible than sexual orientation or gender expression. However, those are tolerated.

Like, gossip and slander. I still can't believe it is tolerated.

But they're so obsessed with LGBTQ+ that I wonder sometimes if it's done to draw attention away from things they, themselves are doing. Like, suddenly gluttony isn't such a big deal, nor is coveting, (that's a huge one that is done constantly with not even the batting of an eye,) nor is judging - but when a man wants to wear women's panties, WATCH OUT.

I personally wonder if it's about control. Not all Christians or religious leaders are perfect, (none of them are,) and many are faced with congregations who are literally groomed already and begging for direction. At least while at church! Lol!

That's power, and when given power, people do some crazy stuff. If you can control someone's sexuality, you have a lot of power over the rest of them.

If you can get people who follow you to control one another's sexuality to fit your agenda as a leader? Watch out.

Why the hell do you need to believe a fairy tale several thousand years old in order to act morally?

You don't need to believe to act morally, you need to believe to be forgiven.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Throughout all of the exchanges, I have been respectful to you, even before the abomination post. The post you posted after what I posted on the GD board was very harsh, as were some before I even said anything about religion. You don't have to insult me to get a point across. Once I see an insult toward me, I don't read the rest of the comment, and stay away from that person's comments until later.

This tone is better though. A heated, honest debate is nice. Kinda missed it, to be honest. I don't like when everybody simply agrees, but some of us might actually - just be on the same page.

A heated debate is nice, but to berate me, that doesn't sit well with me. It stings, and I want to be happy.

I think we can butt heads but still be genuinely respectful toward one another.

-- Modified on 9/9/2020 7:16:30 PM

Personally, I don't believe, or NEED to believe, ANYTHING. And I also don't need to be forgiven for anything. Not that I'm perfect, it's just that I don't give a shit.
What did you do for which you need divine forgiveness?
There is no god.

He cuts my lawn.
Nice guy but he should shower more often.

Why shower if he's just going to get dirty again?

END OF MESSAGE

Perhaps he doesn't have a place to shower, maybe he's homeless or lives in his car...

There's always an opportunity to find out by striking up a conversation and listening to his story? Not that it's your obligation or anything, but with the whole bring a glass of water thing, what do you think about the moral code and/or obligation here?

Faith or no faith

-- Modified on 9/9/2020 8:45:16 PM

END OF MESSAGE

In a nutshell, the 10 commandments are the basis for all the Abrahamic religions. So, yes, I can't figure out why someone would repeatedly break the commandment against adultery and claim to be a Christian.

That being said, it doesn't bother me on a moral level. What bothers me more are the evangelicals who support the unchristlike trump.

And I suppose to be fair, if I were still a Christian, I would probably bend over backwards to justify this lifestyle, too. Hypocrisy seems to be an unfortunate side effect of being human.

The Christlike Hildabeast? or the equally corrupt and dishonest Joe Biden?

 
I do get a kick out of religious people who pick and choose which parts of the "Holy Bible" they are going to follow. I guess God was only kidding about some of the Deadly sins, commandments etc that you find in the Bible.

and one I am perfectly willing to accept, but I am not the one you have to convince here. I am sure you realize, all your rationalizations aside that it's a FACT that you are committing the sin of adultery every single time you have sex with a married man, AND you are doing so knowingly. So in the eyes of YOUR God you are knowingly committing a MAJOR sin over and over again. How do you reconcile that FACT with your religious faith?

 
Please remember this is not MY concern, I am not religious and let me repeat. "I find ALL religions  to be rather silly" but this is not about me, it's you that are committing adultery for a living according to YOUR religion not mine. My question is a simple one, "how do you reconcile your religious beliefs with your daily behavior which breaks one of the most important commandments of your own religion?" Is it possible that maybe you aren't such a believer after all?

I think it's the heart behind it.

I mean, you are onto something.

Here is a sermon for you...
"Faith without works is dead... and you will know them by their fruits."

"What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

I could be a Christian who says, "I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I don't commit adultery, I don't steal, I tithe, I give to the poor. But I'm greedy & don't care about poor people."

There is faith without works. There's also works without faith.

When Jesus told the adulterous woman, "Does anyone condemn you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more" after saying to those condemning her, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." Did she go and stop committing adultery?

I don't know the answer to that question, but we are supposed to preach (and live) the repentance of sin. But the FIRST step is recognizing that sin. And what is the ROOT of the sin? It's lack of love - which seems to be the ROOT of the seven abominations. Lack of love.

The first and foremost command is Love. "If you love Me, you will obey my commands."

and Matthew 22: 34-40

"...One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

 
1 Peter 4:8 says Love covers a multitude of sins.

...when someone quotes the Bible, a lot of people feel condemned by the person.

I walked away for years. I lived every minute and spent every penny i my 20's with His purpose in mind. I wouldn't even go one MPH over the speed limit. Never swore. If I accidentally took a pen from work and I was halfway home, I would drive back to work and return it. I didn't want to steal before God, not people. I did works for Him. Not people.

Sometimes people swing the entire exact direction to gain balance - like a pendulum when parents or guardians are too hard on them. People take advantage of "yes" people, and I was a "yes" person and I burnt out. I also began to have a sex drive, and finally, after four years of stuffing it down, I could not control it. I got tired of condemning myself. Of not masturbating. Of forcing myself not to think about sex. (If you think about someone to lust after them, you've committed adultery. I haven't found that masturbation is sin - I can't find it in the bible anywhere... but I was taught that.)

I told God when I went back to Him in 2018, I'm not obeying Him in any area where I don't feel 100% real about it. He cares about the heart.

I will say, since November of 2018, things have drastically changed, AND it's taken a lot of time to soften up. I don't just see anybody in this business anymore. In fact, I only see people if I absolutely have to - and cut out all unnecessary expenses like Botox, designer items, luxury items, etc so I don't need to support a lifestyle with extra married men.

Also, I love myself more nowadays. It's not even that I don't do it because I "shouldn't" - I don't do it because I "can't." Will I in the future? I don't know. I'm satisfied with the love I feel within me, and the peace I feel - I don't need a man's affection, and I don't need one to define me.

God is patient. Slow to anger and quick to forgive. He understands way more than we do about ourselves - why we do what we do. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."  

But - I do deal with consequences, and I miss out on a lot of blessings because I do this for a living. So not all is perfect.

There are lots of characters in the bible where it is listed that - when they did "bad" things, they faced consequences, including social stigma - which led to loneliness. But I was lonely before I ever started this anyway, so lol

That being said... when we are called to "repent" we do not become perfect immediately.

When a friend of mine had a heart attack, they had to split up the surgeries because the heart could only handle so much iodine (or whatever that stuff is) at one time. There is only so much light we can handle at once, and only so much change we can handle without going insane or becoming seriously injured. Science is still 100% real and I believe He works with the laws of Science. He just knows hella more than we do about it lol.

Fruit takes time:
Luke 13: 6-9
And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”

Sometimes someone is REALLY late on the fruit and Jesus says, "you better get your act together soon," and other times, not so much. Trees take a while to develop fruit that is even edible. I think it's the continual change that takes place. If it's not "who I am," and I leave, I'm going to come right back - and I have tried to leave in the name of God, and I came back.

I want to leave because it's my heart because that's when it's truly Godly IMO. It's out of love, and it's not a big show to show off what a good Christian I am so I can show off how many people I led to Christ.

The things that have changed since my return in November of 2018 are real. (Fruits.) The biggest one was I stopped hating myself. And I also gained more peace, and a lot of fear has left me.

But I'm not stopping something just to prove I'm a good Christian. I want to be real and surrounded by faith, hope, and love. So the works are coming out of that and TRUE faith. Not out of panic because someone doesn't understand the depths of HIs love and wants me to put on a circus for them to prove God has saved me.All of that being said, it's still important for me to be accountable to the scripture, to strive toward it every day. To be mindful, and to admit that I fall short, and to "repent" and keep trying. A righteous man falls seven times.

It's kind of cool to type all of this out, because I've been asking these questions that you're asking to God for years every night, and it's taken me a lot of time to iron this out. Still don't have it 100%, but it's kinda cool that all of this came out.

Thx for asking, these are great questions!

I did notice that as lengthy as your post was, you still never actually gave me an answer. lol

 
You admit that are KNOWINGLY breaking one of God's top ten Commandments, You have given ZERO indication that you have any intention of stopping, YET you come on here quoting scripture. PLEASE reconcile those contradictory acts for yourself, if not for me.

 
Isn't it possible that the Ten Commmandments, just like the rest of the Holy Bible is just a bunch of hooey and that trying to live your life by it is just a waste of the rather short time we have on this earth?

There are 613 "laws" in the Old Testament -- including not eating pork and not mixing threads of different cloths.
.
So is adultery worse than eating pork or wearing cotton and polyester?

I did answer the question. It’s a loaded question.

TRUST me when I say, I have questioned God up and down on this subject. I do not have a concrete answer for you. But the long post above includes some of the answers that have helped me.

I know where I’m going to go when I die, but also, I am comforted here.

Either way, you’re not gonna understand. I’m not going to be able to show you something that took me eight years to figure out as a believer of 19 years.

It was fun trying though lol! Think of it this way - sometimes you just know, but you know you don't know how to explain it quite yet. And then some douchebag comes in and keeps asking the same question over and over and over again to have you answer it ten different ways, only to realize they're doing that on purpose. 🙄