"I would pose this to you, however, in any adult-child relationsip, there is inherently an inbalanced distribution of wisdom, experience, and authority. The power of suggestion, even subconcious suggestion, is unbeliveably strong, and the willingness of a child to please an authority figure (which any adult undeniably is to a child, whether you think so or not) is just as strong." Here's a post I made a little while ago at CED, continuing my reflections on a past relationship. I've been wanting to say something more about that experience for some time now, but I just do not know where to start. Part of your reply to AKA brought to mind one of the issues I've been trying to resolve. "So there I was, nine years old, chasing after my Sunday School teacher, hoping we could "do our willys", but finding only rejection. Hugs and cuddles he didn't mind, but it seems he wanted to go no further. Even though I really didn't want to be a part of church life at that time, I kept going, saying I loved Jesus, that I wanted to go to Heaven, not because that's what I really wanted, but because I thought that was what my Sunday School teacher wanted from me. And if I said no, well, perhaps I wouldn't get hugged and cuddled any more." The older I become, the more convinced I am that adults should never be allowed to exert religious influence over children, and for many of the same reasons that are given in the argument against adult-child sexual relationships. For if sex evokes such powerfull emotions, how much more powerful are the emotions evoked by religion? Peace be with you Rex Infinity |