russ (04/13/83)
Re: The basis for laws in our culture Steve - You imply that morals can't be pragmatic. I contend that morals are pragmatic and that they never contended to be otherwise. The only other option would be that a capricious God or people establishing morals. And this doesn't make any sense. You state that an act should be illegal if-and-only-if common occurrence of the act would destabilize the society. I prefer to add that it should be illegal or immoral if it destabilized the individual. You imply that the only negative consequence of sex is children. Some Christians like C.S. Lewis have argued that the only purpose for sex is procreation. I don't believe that. Let me state that a stable and strong family provides the best basis for healthy growth and development of the individual. The most important attribute in a marriage (even beyond love) is a commitment to each other. No matter how much you love an individual at one time, if you are not committed to support then and work on improving the relationship with time, the problems that will come will cause a parting of paths. People that get more divorces are not less lovable than others, they just enter into relationships where that commitment is lacking. This brings me back to what I consider one of the main purposes for sex and the significant problem with pre-marital relationships. The physical drive that we all have brings us as males and females together, but the fulfillment of that power within us requires us to make a decision -- Do I want to commit myself to a long term marriage relationship? The engagement period gives us time to analyze our decision so that by the time we are married we both know that we have decided to fulfill such a commitment. With a pre-marital relationship, that force that brings us to the point of decision is dissipated. Our feelings don't have to be resolved and we can just continue with the status quo. This does not even concern ourselves with the problem that is usually raised with unwanted pregnancies that removes the possibility of an engagement period. Sex is more than just a physical appetite to be fulfilled, it is a positive force in creating meaningful family relationships.