Men, Women, and God: A Discussion of Sex Questions from the Christian Point of ViewGray, A. Herbert (Arthur Herbert)
Religion
Men, Women, and God: A Discussion of Sex Questions from the Christian Point of View
Gray, A. Herbert (Arthur Herbert)
Sexual ethics -- Early 20th century
I feel sure that certain general counsels apply with special force to
this part of life, and in particular the one which bids us all live
busy and positive lives. Brooding is not a wholesome occupation for
anybody at any time, but, on the other hand, through hours of active
effort emotion finds an outlet and our natures are restored to peace.
Introspection is to many people an actual luxury, but like other
luxuries it enervates. Reveling in their own emotions is a favorite
hobby with quite a lot of people, but for all that it is a very bad
one. There really should be no time for it. Our emotions are all needed
as driving forces for the times of action. In particular the
cultivation of a sense of beauty in art is one of the normal outlets
for emotion, and even for sex emotion. Some happy people can themselves
make music, and so express themselves. Most of us find that common
kindness suggests that we should restrict our efforts in that direction
to times when we are alone. But if we cannot play we can at least learn
the art of good listening. And if we are not musical at all we can
perhaps appreciate true painting, or great poetry, or fine literature.
It all helps.
May I say a plain word or two about the shyness and self-consciousness
in society which so torment young girls? The first thing I would say is
that they will almost certainly pass away before long, and that
therefore they need not be bothered about. Lots of the most effective
and socially successful men and women in the world went through a
painful period of shyness in early youth, and now only smile at the
memory of those days.
In so far as that self-consciousness is produced by society of any
sort, it is based upon the delusion that other people look at us and
think about us a great deal more than they do. It is also due to a
habit of minding what other people think and say a great deal more than
the facts warrant. We are not so important as to attract much general
notice, and other people are not so important that on account of their
prejudices and conventions we should distress ourselves.
But in so far as discomfort in society is due to the presence there of
members of the opposite sex, there is something different to be said.
The whole contention of this book is that the attraction which
exists between the sexes is a right and wholesome thing, and that the
way of wisdom is to accept the fact of it quite simply. When that is
done it is found possible to let that mutual attraction issue in
friendship and camaraderie of a kind that enriches and dignifies life.
Of course all this is much easier for girls who have been brought up
with boys. They learn to be at home with the other sex, not to be fussy
and foolish, and not to trade upon their sex. But that sort of
relationship to men is also quite possible even for those who were not
brought up with boys, and in the attaining to it girls find their real
peace of mind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account