The christian right loves portrayals of violence, for example the Hellraiser-like scenes in Mel Gibson's movie about the crucifixion, because they believe that the human body deserves punishment for its sexual desires.
Christian enlightenment can only come from giving up, not giving in to the desires of the Id (a la Freud).
Is that a Christian-only sentiment? Hardly.
How many enlightened billionaires are exampled in the world?
So making the distinction between wants vs. needs is paramount to mental/spiritual growth.
if not so, then what is the difference between adult humans who do whatever they wish w/o regard for conscience or consequence?
Animals in body/mind/spirit, we are, in the absence of restraint of childlike wants
enlightenment of any kind can not be obtained in the gaining of wants but in the recognition that true needs are relatively few.
Selflessness vs. selfishness is a teeter-totter at any given moment.
One's place on this see-saw is determined by one's reaction to their childlike wants.
Edited by magellan, 23 January 2010 - 04:50 PM.