I feel vindicated

Should have typed were repeated, and the meanings of words changed

Jayanna I remember posting all that when religion was discussed on GN before, about the number of times the bible books were was repeated verbally at first before anyone had time to write them down, the careful selection of sources that suited the position of the early church at various times and the destruction of any that didn't fit, the many times they were copied by one scribe after another, the way the meaning of words changing with each translation from one language to another, the differences over the centuries in the social structure and the place of men and women and so on and so on.

Many people agreed, or said that they had never thought of all that. However, those who see the Bible as a single unchanging unit that sprang ready-made into existence (like Aphrodite on her sea-shell) won't change their view.

If having a lustful thought is as bad as acting on that thought, then why not go the whole way and "do the deed"?

Might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb.

Would anybody like an interesting little academic lecture on the difficulties of translating ancient text. Hmm, I thought not?
Going right back to the original post I have always been inspired by "Love is not always something wonderful that you feel, it is often something difficult that you do."

As a Wiccan I believe that whatever you do, whether for good or ill, comes back 3 times - Do what you want, provided it hurts no-one . . . that includes you! We're human and temptation can be hard to resist, but if you keep the Wiccan Rede or the 10 commandments in mind, and listen to your conscience, you won't go far wrong!!!

Oh dear! Here we go again!

obieone we have to bear in mind that the New Testament is a carefully edited edition of what was decided hundreds of years after Christ's death:
What was written down in the first place was not contemperaneous, much has been ignored and what is left may not be a true account of the life and times of Jesus anyway.

As a code to live by much of it laudable, but much has 'disappeared' or been 'lost' or edited to suit the agenda of various Popes, Synods, scholars etc.

If one resists it, then one isn't doing anything wrong.
Unfortunately not I dont think in this instance.
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart

Looking at a woman lustfully is not resisting lust, it is acting upon it.

Is watching Lord M on the telly and having lustful thoughts as bad as watching Rufus Sewell in RL and having lustful thoughts? (I wish, chance would be a fine thing)

Matthew was one of the 12 disciples.

I do find the lust rule a bit harsh.

That Matthew bloke could have got it wrong, of course. Yes, I expect that's what happened. I'll carry on thinking Jesus was a good bloke... well, possibly loads of good blokes. Some people think there were lots of Messiah types back then.

I thought this Jesus bloke was supposed to be a good guy. I don't think judging people the way you describe, obi, is good. In fact I think it's positively nasty.

Oooooooh! Déja vu!!
(Don't know why I can manage acute but not grave accents).

I guess that's all of us who like to watch Ross in Poldark and Lord M in Victoria condemned!

A favourite saying of my Granny was 'ye can't be hung for your thoughts
as long as the thought doesn't become the deed.'

Is it fair to judge someone on feelings they "can't help"? I would have said no

No, I wouldnt say that is fair.
But I am not sure that that happens,does it?

The Book of Matthew is in the New Testament.

petra, what happened there was awful behaviour.

yes, overcoming bad thoughts is good behaviour.

Whether lust is behaviour or thoughts or intent or whatever, the verses about lust still stand.

suedonim, exactly!

Oh dear, petra !

Intent is a different kind of thought from a feeling.

For example, I could want to hit somebody without ever intending to do it because I think hitting people is wrong.

I could also intend to hit someone but then decide not to because I think hitting people is wrong. If that were the case I would have overcome my bad intention, my intention based, perhaps, on the feeling of rage against the person. In short, I have struggled with bad feelings and intentions and controlled my behaviour. That is good.

I think you've won the argument, bags All that other stuff from obieone was a bit Old Testament, wasn't it. It took me back to Sunday school with the brethrrans. The problem there was, several of them did act on their lustful thoughts with some of the young congregation.

Is not lust thoughts and actions?

No. It is a feeling.

Actions are separate.

What happened to people not being able to help their feelings? That is the usual argument when someone feels hurt by something that was not intended to hurt. If it is true that people can't help their feelings, then feeling lust cannot be helped

Thoughts and intent are part of lust?

SueDonim. I certainly wouldnt recommend that personally.

Is not lust thoughts and actions?

Quite. If Matthew reckons we'll be judged to have committed the 'sin' just by the thought having come, unbidden, into our minds then we're all going to hell in a handcart anyway.