Signpostings

Relationships in a World of Individualism

  • rWorld

    The rWorld is about more than Dale Kuehne's book Sex and the iWorld.
    The rWorld is a New England based, non-profit (in formation), that is composed of a growing number of people and organizations from many faith and ideological backgrounds worldwide. We believe that much of the fulfillment for which women and men are looking can be found by enhancing the quality of our relationships. While the individual freedom we enjoy in the West is a gift, the love and intimacy for which humans yearn will not be found in self-serving materialism or hedonism, but in a variety of healthy relationships.

    Contact us if you'd like get involved:
    scr.im/rwld

  • Dale Kuehne

    Sex & the iWorld

    Professor of Politics and The Richard L. Bready Chair for Ethics, Economics, and the Common Good at Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH.

    In this blog I'm highlighting signposts of the world in which we presently reside as a means of helping promote a civil, and meaningful dialogue about what kind of world in which we wish to live. I am particularly interested in exploring how might we reconcile the individual good and the common good, and where reconciliation isn’t possible, which should take precedence and why.

    I also blog at Sharewik.com

    [Content Caution]

Sexually Transmitted Diseases The Morning After (Pill)

Posted by dalekuehne on May 3, 2013

American public policy is … complicated. We pay millions of dollars annually in tobacco price supports even as we spend more money trying to get people to stop smoking.

Presently the government is warning us about a significant rise in sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) among young people, with women bearing the most significant risks of serious complications, even as the FDA has just made the decision to permit the unregulated sale of the morning after pill to woman as young as 15.

What’s more, the government and the media is all the while preaching the importance of “protected” sex (condom), yet not being forthcoming about the fact that while using condoms is an effective way to prevent the transmission of HIV, condoms are less effective against the very STD’s that are on the rise.

Sex is never just sex.

Nor is it safe.

What passes for public health in the iWorld …

Meanwhile back to reality.

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/13/16951432-ongoing-severe-epidemic-of-stds-in-us-report-finds?lite

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/30/17989156-fda-approves-plan-b-one-step-for-girls-15-and-older-without-prescription?lite

It’s the morning after, aftermath
move forward forget the past
because last night was unbearable
Though it’s over, it never ends
Finding comfort in my best friends
last niht was horrible

The only cure for a broken heart
is to rip it out and put it in a jar
filled with Novocain
Reattach after thirty days
or until the pain
fades away…fades away

We both promise not to forget
We’ll always be there, we always be friends
Come what may
Standing over, cleanse my wounds
Even if the gun was fired by you
Remember, remember there’s a place inside my heart for you always

The only cure for a broken heart
is to rip it out and put it in a jar
filled with Novocain
Reattach after thirty days
or until the pain
fades away…fades away
Why can’t this all fade away
It’s never okay, it’s never okay
Why can’t this all fade away
It’s never ok, it’s never okay
Why can’t this all fade away
It’s never ok, it’s never okay
Why’d it all have to end this way

The only cure for a broken heart
is to rip it out and put it in a jar
filled with Novocain
Reattach after thirty days
or until the pain
fades away…fades away

Morning After Pill by Said Bert

Posted in Health and Wellness, iWorld, music | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Virgin Birth in the UK (Sigh)

Posted by dalekuehne on April 30, 2013

A mother, who is deemed unfit to adopt children, coerces her 14 year old daughter to have a baby via artificial insemination.

Just another brick in the wall of the iWorld.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/apr/28/girl-forced-pregnant-donor-semen?CMP=twt_fd

Hush now baby, baby, don’t you cry.
Mama’s gonna make all your nightmares come true.

Mother by Roger Waters from Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)

Posted in iWorld, music | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Good Friday: Fighting For Theo

Posted by dalekuehne on March 29, 2013

We are all praying for Theo.

Theo’s Uncle is doing more.

Can you help?

http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/Viral-video-seeks-clues-to-dying-teen-s-rare-disease/-/9848876/19516424/-/ntv8qp/-/index.html

I just can’t sleep tonight
Knowing that things ain’t right
It’s in the papers, it’s on the TV, it’s everywhere that I go
Children are crying, soldiers are dying, some people don’t have a home

But I know there’s sunshine behind that rain
I know there’s good times behind that pain
Hey, can you tell me how I can make a change?

I close my eyes and I can see a brighter day
I close my eyes and pray
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray

I lose my appetite knowing kids starve tonight
Am I a sinner, ’cause my dinner is still on my plate?
Ooh I got a vision to make a difference
And it’s starting today

‘Cause I know there’s sunshine behind that rain
I know there’s good times behind that pain
Can you tell me how I can make a change?

I close my eyes and I can see a brighter day
I close my eyes and pray
I close my eyes and I can see a better day

I close my eyes and pray for the brokenhearted
I pray for the life not started
I pray for all the ones not breathing
I pray for all the souls in need
I pray, can you give ‘em one today?

I just can’t sleep tonight
Can someone tell me how to make a change?

I close my eyes and I can see a brighter day
I close my eyes and pray
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and I pray, I pray, I pray
I close my eyes and pray, pray

Pray by Justin Bieber from Under the Mistletoe (2011)

Posted in Health and Wellness, music | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Praying for Theo

Posted by dalekuehne on March 19, 2013

Even as I publish this, the life of 15 year-old Theo Menswar hangs in the balance. The medical community is telling us he is living on borrowed time, though Theo doesn’t seem to agree. I spent the end of last week with Theo and his family, Brant, Emily, and Brady Menswar. I expected great sadness, but what I found in the midst of exhaustion and weariness was a presence of comfort beyond explanation.

You can find my attempt to find words for this in my latest sharewik blog:

http://stories.sharewik.com/blogs/item/praying-for-theo

Breathing in and breathing out
My head leaned back my hands are tied
I stand in here alone I scream, questions why
Days slip by and nights I taste
These memories run through my veins
Injecting me with one last kiss, screaming why

This medication can’t save me
This desperation takes hold of me
I wanted to believe in all of this
I wanted to believe in you

All I am, all I have
Leads me down these roads again
Take my hand, show me the way
And never bring me back here

Determination, is pushing me
Perseverance, is what I bleed
I wanted to believe in all of this
I wanted to believe in you

All I am, all I have
Leads me down these roads again
Take my hand, show me the way
And never bring me back here

These are my unanswered prayers
The time has come for me to say goodbye

God please hear me, calling

All I am, all I have
Leads me down these roads again
Take my hand, show me the way
And never bring me back here

These are my unanswered prayers
the time has come for me to say goodbye

God please hear me, calling

Prayers by In this Moment from Beautiful Tragedy (2007)

Posted in Health and Wellness, RelationalProximity, rWorld | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Denying Depression Denial

Posted by dalekuehne on March 15, 2013

When I tell people I suffer from physical illness they are usually compassionate.

When I tell people I suffer from mental illness they either try to tell me I don’t, or they distance themselves very quickly.

Why?

I wrestle with depression. Please don’t try to tell me otherwise. I’m OK with it. Why? Because there are treatments that are working.

Denial helps no one, and it hurts all of us who need help.

Why do I admit to depression? You can read about it in my latest sharewik blog:

http://stories.sharewik.com/blogs/item/depression-denial

Underlying depression, have to crawl into my room
Underlying depression don’t want to know about the moon in june
Outside there’s a cavalcade of clowns but they`re bringing me down
With underlying depression

Underlying depression and it’s starting in my backyard
Underlying depression, and these times ain’t even so hard
Lord I was born with the blues and my blue suede shoes
And underlying depression

Underlying depresslon and there’s ust nowhere to turn
Underlying depression and things just seem to turn in on one
Sometimes I’m stuck in the corner just like little jack horner
With underlying depression

Underlying depression and I just can’t get it right
Underlying depression I’ve got to fight it with all of my might
Right now I don’t want to be alone
Get my baby on the telephone
Underlying depression

Have to make some concessions when everything is working right
Have to count my blessings, helps me make it through the night
I’ve got love in my life as well as trouble and strife
And underlying depression

Underlying depression, underlying depression, underlying depression
Ain’t nothing but the blues
Underlying depression ain’t nothing but the blues
Underlying depression, ain’t nothing but the blues
Underlying depression

Underlying Depression by Van Morrison from Days Like This (1995)

Posted in Health and Wellness, music, rWorld | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

2013 Yale Sex Weekend: Exploring Bestality and Consensual Pain

Posted by dalekuehne on March 6, 2013

In 2013 is Yale yet again helping its students broaden their sexual horizons. Bestality, consensual pain …

In 1983 Walker Percy wrote Lost in the Cosmos and said that when sex became boring violence would take its place.

Sigh.

http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2013/03/04/sex-weekend-examines-sexual-culture/

Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)
Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)

It’s crazy how God makes us babies and then gives us souls
and then we enter into this world and sin it then takes control, and it molds us through…
block races and mama’s hands like that ain’t can, that ain’t can make us bad.
I remember as a young boy chillin in the projects.
So many crazy things I have seen I couldn’t even process.
When you see them dope boys. You just bank them blues is cool.
Selling work and skipping school.
Confused like a b…
Something deep inside of you (is captured by the nonsense)
Club hoppin’, pistol poppin’, bodies droppin’, (violence).
Ever noticed nobody ever taught you how to do wrong.
It’s just the way that we are prone. We pick up all on our own.
And I know I ain’t alone, cause dirty we’re all the same same.
Mamma and daddy. Adam and Eve as they’re named.
And even though, you and I may not be from the same city.
I guarantee it’s a fact: you have this in common with me.

Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)
Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)

That’s what you thought of as a young and doing what they say is tight.
In the schools; kickin’ and fight.
In the hood; stealin’ bikes.
Then they tell you that it’s cool
“Everybody’s smokin’ weed.
Sleeping ’round like merry-go”
Probably got you growing trees.
Then you get a little older; they say “let’s go hit the club”
Now you take a little crack, looking for a stronger drug.
There’s somebody coming pregnant. You ain’t planned parenthood.
Now you’re sitting, thinking should I hit a Planned Parenthood.
Then you dive a little deeper in that culture, in her fist.
“You don’t need to read that Bible, cause that God he don’t exist.”
“Yoy don’t need to trust in Jesus, because he was just a man”
“Please don’t listen to them christians, they have no clue what they are saying.”
Now you say you hate religion, cause you just wanna be free.
Say: “Imma do what makes me happy, and whatever pleases me, and whatever pleases me is exactly what Imma do.”
I was raptured, I was captured in that state of mind too, but I was:

Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)
Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)

But now I love the Father so much, I love Son so much, the Holy Spirit so much.
That I don’t wanna turn away, so when the world tries to clutch, when my sin tries to clutch, when my flesh tries to clutch.
Then I must turn away.
I don’t wanna break his heart with my lust and my pride.
I don’t wanna break his heart, cause I trust in my God.
And I count it all as loss, just so I can know him.
Paid and died for my sin, so I can’t live for them.
And I can’t live for you.
And I can’t live for me.
See I’m hidden in Christ. Like playing hide and go seek.
I was dead in my sin, but God made me alive.
Together with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2 verse 5.
I’m seated in heavenly places; by his grace I’ve been saved.
I refuse to dig a ditch, go and lay back in my grave.
I’ve been captured by his beauty.
I pursue him super hard.
Not no comfort, power, money, pleasure, not a stupid car.
I’m not:

Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)
Guilt and doubt foolished you: I was told some nonsense
(I was told some nonsense)
(I was told some nonsense)

(Yeah man. I know how it is brow.
We have been captured by sin.
But now we need to be captured again by God’s holiness man.)

Nonsense by Flame from Captured (2010)

Posted in iWorld, music | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

How I Met Your Mother: Concussed

Posted by dalekuehne on March 4, 2013

Marrying Rachel is one of the best things that ever happened to me. The problem is I don’t remember how we got to know each other. :)

My latest sharewik blog on concussions explains why.

http://stories.sharewik.com/blogs/item/concussed

Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?

Posted in Health and Wellness, music | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Explicit Sex Education in a Religious Context: University Style

Posted by dalekuehne on February 22, 2013

Allegheny College boldly goes to a chapel to teach things where no one has gone before … admittedly

http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/12730

Though the idea of compassion
Is said to be
The union of Christ
And his bride, the Christian
It’s all very puzzling

Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
and the church
and the church

All the great mystic religions
Put strong emphasis, on
Redeame this spiritual qualities
Of sex of sex
Chrstianity
Has been pretty modern
About sex
Of sex of sex of sex of sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex sex

I think there is a union
between the flesh and the spirit
It’s sex and the church
Sex and the church

All religions’ mother

Give me you’re freedom of spirit
And the joy’s of the flesh
Of sex sex sex and the church

Give me you’re freedom of spirit
And the joy’s of the flesh
Of sex sex sex and the church

Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
and the church
and the church

Sex sex

Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
and the church
and the church

Sex sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex sex
Sex

Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church

Sex and the Churchby David Bowie from Ost by Buddah of Siberia

Posted in iWorld, music | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Dying Alone: The New Normal

Posted by dalekuehne on February 20, 2013

As Japan’s population ages more rapidly, and as the the extended family and the Confucian sense of care of elder dissolves, we see more and more of Japan’s elders dying alone.

As we look at Japan we are looking at a mirror.

Another signpost of the iWorld. Sigh.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-19/dying-alone-becomes-new-normal-as-japan-spurns-confucius.html

I fall
The golden walls surround me no more
Though I laugh
I know this ain’t no fun at all
Into the maze of pain
My soul is cast, to be raped
Screams
Torment my ears, my fate is here
The dawn no more place
The place of disgrace
Eternal dusk, my eyes are none
Through darkness I stare
My dreams are here… not
Ridden by dark lord
The mare haunts my mind
Dimension of despair
The edge of death
My hands grips – none
The fight is ended
As I’m dying alone

Dying Alone by Withered Beauty from Self-tilted CD (1998)

Posted in iWorld, music | Leave a Comment »

Saving Clients from Psychological Politics: The Case of “Reparative Therapy”

Posted by dalekuehne on February 18, 2013

Why, in the name of science, are psychological professionals so aggressively seeking to make it illegal for therapists to offer help to clients who come to them with confusion or concern about their sexual attraction(s)?

Why, are psychological professionals so quick to do this when the science on sexual attraction will require decades of longitudinal studies, as well as advances in genetics and biochemistry, to answer our questions about the nature of sexual attraction.

What’s the rush?

Read my take in my latest sharewik blog:

http://stories.sharewik.com/blogs/item/denying-psychological-treatment-in-the-name-of-science

And it’s a sad picture, the final blow hits you
Somebody else gets what you wanted again and
You know it’s all the same, another time and place
Repeating history and you’re getting sick of it
But I believe in whatever you do
And I’ll do anything to see it through

Because these things will change
Can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come
For us to finally win
And we’ll sing hallelujah, we’ll sing hallelujah

So we’ve been outnumbered
Raided and now cornered
It’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair
We’re getting stronger now
Find things they never found
They might be bigger
But we’re faster and never scared
You can walk away, say we don’t need this
But there’s something in your eyes
Says we can beat this

Because these things will change
Can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come
For us to finally win
And we’ll sing hallelujah, well sing hallelujah

Tonight we stand, get off our knees
Fight for what we’ve worked for all these years
And the battle was long, it’s the fight of our lives
But we’ll stand up champions tonight

It was the night things changed
Can you see it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back fell down
It’s a revolution, throw your hands up
Cause we never gave in
And we sang hallelujah, we sang hallelujah
Hallelujah


Change by Taylor Swift from Fearless (2008)

Posted in iWorld, music | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 415 other followers