I (32m) started seeing prostitutes when I was 20 and have done it on and off up to my current age. I find the lack of sexual and emotional connection lures me into to seeing them even when I say I’m going to stop. Whenever I am doing decent financially I end up going back to seeing them. I try to be a spiritual person and read the bible and not lust over women but it can be a struggle and mental battle. Does anyone else have this same bad habit?

    • MrsDoyleEnglish
      6•4 days ago

      Morality matters, friend, even for atheists like me. The trouble with the “only believers can be moral” standpoint is that believers can end up doing the most heinously amoral things in the name of their god. Like burning people alive for example. Stoning sinners to death.

      • FlaxEnglish
        -1•4 days ago

        But why does it matter? You can still be moral and be an atheist, but it involves adopting someone’s moral standard without any rational basis.

        • MrsDoyleEnglish
          1•3 days ago

          We live in a society. I believe that a predisposition to empathy, compassion, love, all those good things, is inbuilt in us to help maintain a stable, cohesive society. They are taught to young children, who learn to share, care, co-operate. It seems like some people never grow up, and still need a “parent” to guide them.

          • FlaxEnglish
            0•3 days ago

            I believe it is inbuilt in us as well, but by a Creator. However society can easily override that (such as what happened in Nazi germany)

              • FlaxEnglish
                0•2 days ago

                A lot of Nazis claimed to be Christians.

                Matthew 7:15-20 ESV

                [15] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

                Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

                [21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

                Romans 11:13-18 ESV

                [13] Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry [14] in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. [15] For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? [16] If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. [17] But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, [18] do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.

    • @[email protected]English
      1•3 days ago

      No, it doesn’t matter to the universe. Morality can still matter to you. This is the idea that existentialism is built around: you have to make choices for yourself.