John Hartung told us that:

"The Bible is a blueprint of in-group
morality, complete with instructions for
genocide, enslavement of out-groups,
and world domination. But the Bible is
not evil by virtue of its objectives or
even its glorification of murder, cruelty,
and rape. Many ancient works do that -
The Iliad, the Icelandic Sagas, the tales
of the ancient Syrians and the inscriptions of
the ancient Mayans, for example. But no one is
selling the Iliad as a foundation for morality.
Therein lies the problem. The Bible is sold,
and bought, as a guide to how people should
live their lives. And it is, by far, the
world's all-time best seller."

I prefer what Richard Dawkins has to say in his
book, "The God Delusion,":

"Enjoy your own sex life (so long as it damages
nobody else) and leave others to enjoy theirs in
private whatever their inclinations, which are
none of your business."

Foxy, "Enjoy your own sex life (so long as it damages nobody else) and leave others to enjoy theirs in private whatever their inclinations, which are none of your business."

Dawkins is right, the State is wrong to look over the shoulders of citizens, effectively ruling that all relationships are de facto unless a person can provide reasons satisfactory to the State to prove s/he is not. The State's 'criteria' are numerous and vague and even its own bureaucrats apply differing interpretations, linked more, one suspects, to what entitlements might be at stake. Then there are the apparent inconsistencies in rulings, for instance on multicultural grounds where a man can have more than one wife and claim several benefits.

It is not so very long ago that people could choose what contracts they entered in to in life. Regarding relationships, singledom was the default unless the citizen chose to change that situation and with the informed agreement of another. Now the State has reserved the right to decide and legal assistance is required to find out if one is in fact unintentionally at risk of being declared to be in a de facto relationship.

Yes, it is easy to see why Dawkins might be concerned about freedom and privacy and there should be a moratorium on further change until the mess is sorted out, this time through proper consultation with the electorate.

there is a big difference between enjoying one's won sex life and being silent about the promoting or modeling adultery. fornication, homosexuality which leads to misery for many children. If people would enjoy their own sex life, keep it to themselves and don't keep trying to get the general public to endorse their out of control lusts we would not be having this discussion. Unfortunately there are to many who need the 'endorsement' and promotion of their perversion. Generally they are very intolerant of the views of those who have the children's best interest at heart.

Dear Cornflower,

As always, your rational comments
are greatly appreciated.

I'm with you Celivia "Get a life, control freaks! Live and let live! If you don't like same-sex marriage, you DON'T HAVE TO get married to somebody of the same sex as yourself."

I was put to the test and taken aback by my own reactions when my 15 year old daughter told me about a new girl who'd started at school. This girl was daring. She had slept with girls. Next thing a couple of the boys started talking about being bisexual. It was spreading. One of the mothers rang me and was very worried about the insidious influence of this new girl. One by one the girls were tempted to experiment with this exciting new girl. My daughter casually told me about a couple of her friends doing this. I was immediately panicked that she would want to do it too. When I asked her about what was happening and she could obviously detect some concern she asked me, why? what's the problem? doesn't everybody try it? It's normal isn't it? You've tried it haven't you? There I was caught out and I was surprised that I could be guilty, yes me, guilty of being homophobic. It makes me shudder to even think of it now, that it was me being like that. I think we can learn a lot from young people about this control freak old fart attitude. What's to be afraid of. It's all fear driven anyway isn't it? Same sex marriage, so what's to be afraid of? ourselves perhaps?

dotto,

How very broad-minded (sic) of you. However did you ever stop to consider those not-so-small considerations of responsible parents such as age of consent, informed consent and so on?

Matter of fact, I wonder if you are a parent at all or are just indulging your own fantasy of under-age sex. What is it with that "This girl is daring" stuff and the detail? It is significant that you did not approach the school.

Your advice to your young teen - if indeed there is any truth in your story - was truly abominable. She is like other children her age trying to work out her sexuality and find trustworthy friends who will not take advantage of her and you have let her down through your very poor advice and refusal to set limits.

Just as a tip, responsible parents and teachers and that is the overwhelming majority of them, are forever on the look-out for school age sexual 'adventurousness' and risk-taking, which are so often red flags for something in the child's life that is dreadfully awry, including sexual molestation in the home.