If you feel guilty about having engaged in group sex then there are two possible responses:

1) Regret the decision.

2) Deal with the guilt.

Isn't it at least possible that being brought up in an atmosphere of sexual repression and secrecy caused your guilt, and that in a society that was free and open about its sexuality, the guilt would never have occurred? Clearly there are plenty of women (and men) who have engaged in unorthodox sexual practices when young and gone on to be happy, healthy and well-adjusted. The first question to address is why you are not one of them.

Instead of blaming the act for giving you a burden of guilt, perhaps you should be blaming your upbringing and -- I would guess -- the awful psychological distortions caused by a restrictive religion. In fact, since your biography was launched by a (discredited ex-) Archbishop, it's not hard to see where the guilt is coming from.

"Yes the Catholic church has had many homosexual priests behaving like animals in contradiction to Christ's teachings however I doubt the percentage is any higher than in other areas of the community."

So, runner, you don't think that it might have anything to do with the official policy of celibacy, which forces priests to seek their sexual release among those who are powerless and unlikely to tell on their persecutors? Nah, of course not! What institution could possibly be so stupid and barbaric as to try and impose something so totally alien to human nature?

Oh, THAT institution...!

runner
You rants against secularism are verging on the hysterical.

Secularism does offer a very strong moral code - the right for religious freedom (including yours) and freedom of expression. Secular societies have laws against paedophilia, theft, rape, assualt and so on. This implies that these acts are seen as Wrong.

It seems that religion in itself does not stop bad behaviour. Sex offenders are also found within the Church. It will alwasy come down to the individual's own moral compass whether derived from religion or not.

Rules are one thing obeying them is another.

There certainly is a good case to be made for better sex education
classes in Australia, when it comes to schoolkids. That could well
include information about relationships and similar topics.

We know from Holland, the dramatic drop in teen pregnancies, when
good sex education is combined with modern family planning methods.

So what is holding it back? Basically the religious lobby. Many
religious parents think that only abstinence should be taught and
as we know from America, it has been a dismal failure.

What is degrading or not degrading, is purely in the eyes of
the beholder. Sex in fact is perfectly natural. We evolved to
enjoy it.

Yabby

After reading your last post I wonder if we are simply just arguing for the same thing from different angles.

I agree with everything you wrote in your last post. I was also impressed that you did not use any personal insults. Amazing.

Both men and women need to be responsible for their actions. Such as women accepting when they have made a mistake, but also for men to have the moral fibre not to take advantage of drunk or drugged women.

At the moment neither sex is doing themselves any good while it is considered acceptable for men to use women as if sex were a competitive sport and for women to take the stars from their eyes and not kid themselves that these sporting "heroes" are anything special.

I have to ask why women have such fragile self esteem that they pursue these knob-ends? And why there are so few men (in the sporting culture) who are willing to behave respectfully?

I made dumb mistakes when I was very young, but I would have to say in 99% of cases I was protected by the males around me. Admittedly I will never forget that 1%.

We do have a sexually repressive culture in Australia compared to countries like the Netherlands and we are seeing the result.

Now can we stop the blame game and start discussing ways to stop the gender divide?

Err hang on Fractelle. I post many posts which nobody finds
insulting. Some however dish it out, then are amazed when they get
it back. Others are just very sensitive to what they call an "insult"
I tell it like I see it, I refuse to join the PC crowd.

In fact on the recent "languages in schools" thread, I tried to
get people discussing the virtues of teaching emotional literacy in
schools, as the benefits have seemingly been outstanding, in terms
of their effect on violence in schools, violence in homes, self
esteem, depression etc. All I got were some smartarse comments from
CJ, not a single positive contribution from anyone.

I will always support better education that actually is effective
and gets results.

Where we differ is in our understanding of how much one can teach
people. I believe that genes will always have a huge effect on human
behaviour, you seemingly believe that we can teach people anything.
As my point about educating Catholic priests shows, even 2000 years
of trying has not stopped priests from being sexual beings.

Fact is that when you try and go against human nature, you will start
to hit brick walls. People will act in their own self interest or
in their communal self interest.

The game of boys getting into girls pants has gone on for as long
as we know, its part of nature. Just this week the Economist showed
pictures of 35'000 year old porn statues, carved from mammoth tusks.

Alcohol has always been considered as a leg opener. Some male
relatives and friends might protect women, but far more males will
take their opportunity, if presented. Education is not going to
change that.

High testosterone young footy players would press a number of
female instinctual buttons. Even you prefer athletic types.
Women seemingly can smell high t and respond to it.