tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23020174.post115927545786777688..comments2023-12-02T05:36:17.832-05:00Comments on Sexuality and Religion: What's the Connection?: National Religious Leaders RespondDebra W. Haffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03018331891805010135noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23020174.post-1159299591771813112006-09-26T15:39:00.000-04:002006-09-26T15:39:00.000-04:00It seems that those of us who believe in women's c...It seems that those of us who believe in women's capacity to make moral decisions on our own behalf are always running around plugging the holes in the dike as those who are erotophobic seek to remove that agency. I have two solutions: first we have to understand that most people who are anti-sexual/anti-woman/anti-freedom are usually motivated by rage spurred on by fear and great insecurity if not guilt. Those are not pretty emotions and yet I believe they are often present. So, understanding that dynamic might help us in determining strategy. And secondly, the strategy I would recommend is that we (mostly women) have to start telling the truth about what sexual repression has felt like. We need to give it a "personal face." In my case it was unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, thwarted dreams, ill-advised marriage, sexual dysfunction and ignorance. And, most importantly, it all had God's blessing. Now, for most people of faith, whether on the right or left, that would be rather devastating to hear and acknowledge as the outcome, far too often, for the policies they propose. I recently concluded two performances of these stories in a one-woman show "An Irreverant Journey from Egg Beaters to Vibrators" and the response was overwhelmingly positive. People (especially women) really want to talk about the way sexual repression has impacted their lives and that of their mothers and daughters. This is not about an ideology or a political position. This is about where we live our daily lives.<BR/>Keep up the good writing and the good work of advocacy and plugging the holes in the dikes. However let's also tell the stories that will touch people's hearts and their transform spirits as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com