Priveledge... Again

The most read post that I have written was called Priveledge, where I ranted about people who believe that they above everything, that they deserve whatever they want. Well, unless you absolutely refuse to acknowledge that there is news media in various forms, you have probably heard of Anthony Weiner.

Representative Weiner became famous when a picture of male genitals appeared on his twitter. He claimed that he had been hacked, someone making a joke about his name. He even named a conservative blogger who he claimed did the hacking. One question remained. "Is the picture of you?" He just kept repeating "I already answered that." Only he hadn't.

Finally he did. It was. He posted it. The blogger was innocent. He had been sending sexually explicit texts to a dozen women them, at least one is underage. He was trying to send the picture of his penis as a private message to a woman, and accidentally posted it to everyone. These sexual text messages (called "sexting") are his habit. At least one woman admitted talking to Weiner on his congressional phone, and one woman said that he called her offering to send a congressional PR team to spin the story.

Aren't you glad to know that your tax dollars have been spent to have, then cover up, cyber affairs? Just like President Clinton was impeached for committing pergury for his affair with an intern, so Congressman Weiner is also in trouble. Both Nancy Pelosi and the DNC chair have called him to step down. Only he's decided to pull a Charlie Sheen, and enter a joke of a rehab. (You want to talk priveledged? Charlie Sheen thinks he's... duh, winning, but has to innoculate himself from feeling with a steady flow of booze and drugs.)

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Weiner is one of the many who falls to the subtle temptations that accompany the sin of pride. It is a warning to all of us, but especially to anyone in any position of leadership. All leaders (myself included) can begin to believe all the nice things people say about us. Shortly after, then we can believe that we have earned the right to indulge in a little sin.

Biblically, this is when Moses sinned, losing his chance to enter the promised land. This is how Samson began his series of relationships and violate his vow, resulting in his loss of strength. This is how David had his affair with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to cover it. This is how Solomon was led to idol worship, as did the kings to follow him. This is what led Peter to chastize, and later deny Jesus.

May we never forget that we are equals. We have all sinned. Jesus died for each of us. We are all deserving of hell, and offered the same grace. As leaders, we are not to think our selves superior, but have greater responsibility. Leaders are not to be lords, but servants.

Pornation

I've been thinking about porn. No, not like that. Its a major problem in our world. 45% of men admit having a serious problem with porn. Admit. And it is so accessible. It is common. USA Network has a new show called Covert Affairs. The opening in the show involves the very hot actress taking her top off three times in the first minute. Way to have integrity.

Then you have the latest Miley "No longer Hannah Montana" music video. She is in a provocative outfit, in a bird cage, dancing like a stripper. With celebrities like her to look up to, is it a wonder teenage or even preteen girls are making pornographic pictures and videos and putting them online?

For more, please watch this video.

I intend to write more on this in the future. With this being such a big problem, I hope that this blog can not just share my opinions on things, but be a forum for help for those struggling with this issue.

Addiction

Lately I have been talking to someone about their struggle with pornography and masturbation. He trusts me because he knows me well. I am something of an expert on the subject of pornography. I was 13 when I first view pornography. Within a year, I was addicted to pornography and masturbation.

That led to its own list of complex issues that I will save for a later date, but suffice it to say in time I was convicted of the damage it was doing to me spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I have since then put much time and effort into the study of addiction, and the causes and effects of pornography addiction.

I've written on this once and will write on it more, but let me say some things. First, there is hope. I spent years masturbating nightly, as many did. In Alcoholics Anonymous, they teach them that there is no such thing as a former alcoholic. If you are like me, you will never be a former addict, whether it is to alcohol, drugs, porn, gambling, tobacco, food, shopping, etc. If you get a taste of it again, even when in recovery, you will tend to binge. But you can be in recovery. It was a slow process for me. I should say it IS a slow process for me, but it is better than it was.

Second, let me remind you that this is a fight. Satan wants us to harm us. We are wounded, and will continue to be. There will be times we won't feel like fighting. We'll feel like we already lost, or never will win. But we already have won the war. Right now I'm watching the HBO series Band of Brothers. When Germany was beat, there was still fighting to be done. There were still people killed and wounded. Satan has lost. But there are still casualties. Don't loose hope. Keep fighting.

Another thing is get help. Get someone who you can talk to, who can ask you the tough questions, like "How are you? No, how are you REALLY?" and "How many times this week?" It needs to be someone you can call at 3am to talk to when you are struggling. Also I have some recommendations. Not Even a Hint and Every Man's Battle (Every Young Man's Battle is good for singles, but Every Man's is good for married men. That's right, this doesn't go away when you're married.) are good books. There's also XXX-church.com. These resources are good. I recommend reading those books with that trusted friend. Just like in a real war, or even a football game this isn't a solo effort.