Shalom, I read FT's reply to your objection to the language in nihil's post, and want to say that I agree with FT completely. Nihil's post (I've given the link to it below) was hurtful to no one, unless there is someone reading this thread who has a very tenuous hold on their sexual feelings, and who is alarmed when they are aroused, which they are unusually easily, and who finds even such lighthearted used of sexual references threatening to their peace of mind.
With these thoughts in mind, I clicked on your profile, and was struck by the cartoon image illustrating Investment Style-- the man whose eyes follow the angel and devil, who perpetually vie for his attention-- and by the words that accompany the image, "Submit ourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee."
It may be that because I had already thought, "This shalom is certainly hyper-reactive to a little harmless sexual imagery used jokingly, what's his problem?," that your "Resist the devil and he will flee" struck me as so perfectly a confirmation of my impression that you react to what is no more than humorous earthy language as though it were Satan working to arouse your barely- controlled lusts.
Message 7561214
This message, a contribution to a very informal conversational exchange, aroused no one and shocked no one and appeared as the devil to no one but you, is my guess. At least I fervently hope this is the case.
[Edit: I just clicked on and found that in fact, surprise! Bob feels as you do, and looks forward, so frankly, to your and his sweet revenge: "The soul that thirsts for righteousness will be satisfied. We have that to look forward to."
I'm so sorry, guys. The righteousness is ours, and it is here. Those words, used amusingly by nihil, are good ones. It is you who respond to them so intensely who are possessed by a sort of Satan.] |
