A Brave New World

[Doc]

Well, let me start by being completely honest. Before I left for college this summer, my friends would have described me as someone who had sex on his mind just a little too much. Nothing really out of the ordinary for a guy 18 years of age, but since I usually got off from my job at a relatively early time...well what else am I supposed to think about with all that free time?

Quite ironically, after having spent about a month on a college campus so far, I feel like the resident celibate monk compared to many of the vagrants I've been dealing with here. Much unlike a large proportion of people in my dorm, I don't engage in casual sex, and I do not drink or do illicit drugs, although I do indulge in cigars on a monthly basis. I'd consider myself sexually stringent, and proudly so, bordering on prudishness. And although well accustomed to locker room talk and sex-laden conversations with fellow males, even I raise an eyebrow at the sheer irreverence towards women by my one roommate.

Keep in mind that I'm not a faithful person in the slightest. I accept the notion of a watchmaker type designer, but as far as theology goes, I have little concern for it. However, despite my folding from the Catholic Church some years ago, one thing I have been very emphatic about maintaining is the general moral guidelines of the religion of my youth. Writers like Chesterton have kept me interested and yes, even faithful to moral teaching.

I guess I'm not sure what I'm asking here exactly. Did any of you go through trying college environments and still come out morally unscathed? Any tips or tricks? It's not that I'm in danger of waffling or anything on my principles (if anything, the total absence of self-respect amongst fellow students makes me more inclined to stick to the straight and narrow).

Yes, I probably limit myself to the number of friends I have due to my no-party-policy, but it's all for the best I think. I'm training to be an officer in the U.S. Army and I can't afford to engage in any kind of funny business.

[PureX]

I think you should relax. Stop judging. Try some new things. College is for learning.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by PureX

I think you should relax. Stop judging. Try some new things. College is for learning.

But how do we determine what is right and wrong if we can't judge? Don't get me wrong, I consider myself plenty well rounded. I don't lock myself away. I just prefer music, art, and books to drinking and getting high. I think what I do is more worthwhile, that's all.

[Inky]

I agree about relaxing. Anyway, most of the excellent art and music going on in college campuses is going to be made by people who also drink and/or get high occasionally. Everything in moderation--having a drink with friends once in a while doesn't mean your life is a waste.

[methylatedghosts]

Originally Posted by Doc

But how do we determine what is right and wrong if we can't judge? Don't get me wrong, I consider myself plenty well rounded. I don't lock myself away. I just prefer music, art, and books to drinking and getting high. I think what I do is more worthwhile, that's all.

Don't worry so much about right and wrong - just go for what feels like "you". You have your whole life to worry about right and wrong! Besides - it's always good to have experience.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by methylatedghosts

Don't worry so much about right and wrong - just go for what feels like "you". You have your whole life to worry about right and wrong! Besides - it's always good to have experience.

I'm not a big fan of this philosophy. I've seen what losers some of my former friends have become because they just wanted "the experience."

[stacey bo bacey]

Originally Posted by Doc

I'm not a big fan of this philosophy. I've seen what losers some of my former friends have become because they just wanted "the experience."

Keep doing what you have been, then. Your attitude is typical of someone who has the desire to go into the military: "No funny business!"

[Charity]

Congratulations on being a person who thinks for himself and knows what he wants out of life....I see nothing wrong with the way you feel and I think if it works for you then that is the way you should stay....Don't let anything keep you from your dreams, I hope they all come true and you get the desires of your heart.

Blessings and Peace for you
Charity

[UltraViolet]

Just wondering why you would want to follow the moral guidlines of a church you rejected?

[PureX]

Originally Posted by Doc

But how do we determine what is right and wrong if we can't judge? Don't get me wrong, I consider myself plenty well rounded. I don't lock myself away. I just prefer music, art, and books to drinking and getting high. I think what I do is more worthwhile, that's all.

What is right for you may be wrong for others. We don't have the vision required to make such judgments for other people. That's all I'm saying. Lifestyles that we think are "wrong" may only be wrong for us. And sometimes, they can even be good for us in limited doses. Try to keep an open mind.

I'm an older man (50). And I have found that the concepts of "right and wrong" have little actual significance in life. Real life is about love, and love is messy and confusing. And "right and wrong" are of little use in that arena. Humility and forgiveness are far more useful. And openness and curiosity, too.