Comments for Conservatio Morum: Conversion of Life http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com The Jesus Way, Spirituality, Being Human, Being Gay, Being a Man, Doctor Who, Apple Computers and Circumcision (mostly!) Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:53:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on Depression and anxiety in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (GLBTI) by Depression Crystal http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=838&cpage=1#comment-1560 Depression Crystal Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:53:24 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=838#comment-1560 Most often depression for gays and lesbians is because of the racism or the in acceptance of other people sometimes their loves ones for their sexuality. But as our world becomes modernize acceptance for the third sex is slowly being accepted by the society. Most often depression for gays and lesbians is because of the racism or the in acceptance of other people sometimes their loves ones for their sexuality. But as our world becomes modernize acceptance for the third sex is slowly being accepted by the society.

]]> Comment on Phimosis by cthornby http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=659&cpage=1#comment-1557 cthornby Sat, 05 Jun 2010 04:38:01 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=659#comment-1557 "Approve" “Approve”

]]> Comment on Phimosis by James http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=659&cpage=1#comment-1556 James Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:34:43 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=659#comment-1556 I my self was diagnosed as a young child as having phimosis back in the early 80's. I'm incredibly thankful that my parents and my pediatrician agree that they didn't have the right to choose to mutilate someone who wasn't old enough to choose for them selves considering there are non invasive options such as stretching the foreskin over time. Over the years the idea of circumcision has become a topic of great interest to me and I've done a lot of research on the subject. Also I've spoken with many males from the United States who had no idea whether they were cut or not (due to how common place a practice it has become), and more often than not were incredibly upset to find out that they were. I've also come across a few men over the years who have tried to regrow their foreskin using medical tape to slowly stretch the skin back up and over and was glad to hear it worked for them. It's a slow process but at least it gives hope to those who want to feel intact again. I my self was diagnosed as a young child as having phimosis back in the early 80's. I'm incredibly thankful that my parents and my pediatrician agree that they didn't have the right to choose to mutilate someone who wasn't old enough to choose for them selves considering there are non invasive options such as stretching the foreskin over time. Over the years the idea of circumcision has become a topic of great interest to me and I've done a lot of research on the subject. Also I've spoken with many males from the United States who had no idea whether they were cut or not (due to how common place a practice it has become), and more often than not were incredibly upset to find out that they were. I've also come across a few men over the years who have tried to regrow their foreskin using medical tape to slowly stretch the skin back up and over and was glad to hear it worked for them. It's a slow process but at least it gives hope to those who want to feel intact again.

]]> Comment on Suicide is never painless by Karen http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-1306 Karen Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:33:40 +0000 http://cthornby.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/suicide-is-never-painless/#comment-1306 My deepest sympathy goes out to all those that were close to Brian. My deepest sympathy goes out to all those that were close to Brian.

]]> Comment on Infant Male Circumcision – position statement of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (Canada) by Fred Rhodes http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=956&cpage=1#comment-1303 Fred Rhodes Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:19:36 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=956#comment-1303 Is it ethical to allow the parents who practice known false god worshipping customs to sacrifice body parts from their children? It is now common knowledge that the masculine Y chromosomes were first created/mutated/evolved/given birth to by a feminine X chromosome, and not by the Heavenly Father myth. Allowing this farce to continue will only lead to more and more cases of circumcision induced paranoid delusional terrorism. This is why all this bogus pseudo-scientific data-twisting misinformation is preventing true knowledge from progressing. It is quite clear that false creation myths will only lead to the opposit which is self extinction. There was no mention of the sexual enhancement functions of the masculine and feminine prepuce. These parts of the prepuce feel good to play with, therefor excising them is a form of eugenics or sacrifice. They also contain specialized cell structures that are known to function as anti-viral defence for our epidurmal, reprodution, and renal organs. Is it ethical to allow the parents who practice known false god worshipping customs to sacrifice body parts from their children? It is now common knowledge that the masculine Y chromosomes were first created/mutated/evolved/given birth to by a feminine X chromosome, and not by the Heavenly Father myth. Allowing this farce to continue will only lead to more and more cases of circumcision induced paranoid delusional terrorism. This is why all this bogus pseudo-scientific data-twisting misinformation is preventing true knowledge from progressing. It is quite clear that false creation myths will only lead to the opposit which is self extinction.
There was no mention of the sexual enhancement functions of the masculine and feminine prepuce. These parts of the prepuce feel good to play with, therefor excising them is a form of eugenics or sacrifice. They also contain specialized cell structures that are known to function as anti-viral defence for our epidurmal, reprodution, and renal organs.

]]> Comment on Should Australia reintroduce routine infant circumcision to reduce HIV rates? by Shay http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=562&cpage=1#comment-1301 Shay Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:02:07 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=562#comment-1301 John I'm afraid science is going to let you down and prove against your argument. Trends change all the time. We need to promote safe sex to avoid spreading disease. The fact of the matter is that Circumcision is a matter of human rights! No one may ever take a scalpel to my son for no reason whatsoever. And to me, there is never a good enough reason to circumcise. I will teach my son clean habits and trust in him that he will make wise decisions. To mutilate your children because you already have condemned them to be promiscuous or unwise is a very sad thing. John
I’m afraid science is going to let you down and prove against your argument. Trends change all the time. We need to promote safe sex to avoid spreading disease. The fact of the matter is that Circumcision is a matter of human rights! No one may ever take a scalpel to my son for no reason whatsoever. And to me, there is never a good enough reason to circumcise. I will teach my son clean habits and trust in him that he will make wise decisions. To mutilate your children because you already have condemned them to be promiscuous or unwise is a very sad thing.

]]> Comment on Doctors back call for circumcision ban by Shay http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=207&cpage=1#comment-1300 Shay Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:35:04 +0000 http://cthornby.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/doctors-back-call-for-circumcision-ban/#comment-1300 And as to Johnny's comment on bacteria growing on boys who can't retract their foreskin, I'm afraid you are talking out of ignorance. The penis is self-cleaning and doesn't require cleaning until becoming sexually active really. As I have said, smegma is antibacterial and urine is sterile, so it works perfectly. The vagina is self-cleaning too, and doesn't smell all that pretty. But you know what, douches aren't that popular in Australia either. If were such a problem, don't you think they would be? So people aren't as obsessed with that as some may think. And as to Johnny’s comment on bacteria growing on boys who can’t retract their foreskin, I’m afraid you are talking out of ignorance. The penis is self-cleaning and doesn’t require cleaning until becoming sexually active really. As I have said, smegma is antibacterial and urine is sterile, so it works perfectly. The vagina is self-cleaning too, and doesn’t smell all that pretty. But you know what, douches aren’t that popular in Australia either. If were such a problem, don’t you think they would be? So people aren’t as obsessed with that as some may think.

]]> Comment on Doctors back call for circumcision ban by Shay http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=207&cpage=1#comment-1299 Shay Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:20:28 +0000 http://cthornby.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/doctors-back-call-for-circumcision-ban/#comment-1299 As a woman, I prefer an uncircumcised man. I find it typical that a cut man gives me UTI's. This is also true of my friends. I wondered what the difference could be until I learned that smegma contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which I believe work during intercourse to protect the woman from foreign bacteria as well. I think they should do studies on the correlation between circumcision in men and UTI's in their women partners. I haven't seen any thus far. Not to mention the fact that a circumcised penis is dry. And when you can't use synthetic lube due to aggrevating the UTI problem and have hormonal changes yourself drying things up down there, sex becomes abrasive and unsatifying. This is simply fixed by leaving the foreskin intact. This is just another reason to add to the long, overwhelming list of reasons not to circumcise. As a woman, I prefer an uncircumcised man. I find it typical that a cut man gives me UTI’s. This is also true of my friends. I wondered what the difference could be until I learned that smegma contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which I believe work during intercourse to protect the woman from foreign bacteria as well. I think they should do studies on the correlation between circumcision in men and UTI’s in their women partners. I haven’t seen any thus far.

Not to mention the fact that a circumcised penis is dry. And when you can’t use synthetic lube due to aggrevating the UTI problem and have hormonal changes yourself drying things up down there, sex becomes abrasive and unsatifying. This is simply fixed by leaving the foreskin intact.

This is just another reason to add to the long, overwhelming list of reasons not to circumcise.

]]> Comment on Well done, Bishop by Well done, Archbishop | Conservatio Morum: Conversion of Life http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=856&cpage=1#comment-1281 Well done, Archbishop | Conservatio Morum: Conversion of Life Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:04:14 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=856#comment-1281 [...] My own bishop, John McIntyre, has taken an entirely different point of view, admitting being perplexed about the attitude taken by some churches. Related Posts:Going to [...] [...] My own bishop, John McIntyre, has taken an entirely different point of view, admitting being perplexed about the attitude taken by some churches. Related Posts:Going to [...]

]]> Comment on Are you … straight? by Smile Face http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=730&cpage=1#comment-1260 Smile Face Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:49:05 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=730#comment-1260 i somehow found this video, and um... i know my english is not that good.. but this is nice... you brought new point of view at least for the place i come from, homosexual is still prohibited.. thanks for making this video. i somehow found this video, and um…
i know my english is not that good.. but this is nice…
you brought new point of view at least for the place i come from, homosexual is still prohibited..
thanks for making this video.

]]> Comment on Should Australia reintroduce routine infant circumcision to reduce HIV rates? by cthornby http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=562&cpage=1#comment-1187 cthornby Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:48:04 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=562#comment-1187 Dear John Thank you once again for your comment. However, once again, it contains errors, assertions and inaccuracies. I wasn't highly subjective or emotional in my response to you, but your response to either my comment or the post was both. What it comes down to, I believe, is that the science is still not good enough to say whether or not circumcision of infants will result in the prevention of HIV infections. Some studies of men in Africa have shown that circumcision of adults appears to have a small protective benefit. What we know is that science is not always generalisable. On your assertion: "The parents' right to decide what is best for their child has been taken away from them and WE WANT IT BACK !!!" - I'm not sure what you're referring to. As far as I know you're still able to consent to elective circumcision of any son you might have. You need to find a doctor who will perform the procedure, but that's up to you, as is paying for it - it is elective surgery, after all. Colin Dear John

Thank you once again for your comment. However, once again, it contains errors, assertions and inaccuracies. I wasn’t highly subjective or emotional in my response to you, but your response to either my comment or the post was both. What it comes down to, I believe, is that the science is still not good enough to say whether or not circumcision of infants will result in the prevention of HIV infections. Some studies of men in Africa have shown that circumcision of adults appears to have a small protective benefit. What we know is that science is not always generalisable.

On your assertion: “The parents’ right to decide what is best for their child has been taken away from them and WE WANT IT BACK !!!” – I’m not sure what you’re referring to. As far as I know you’re still able to consent to elective circumcision of any son you might have. You need to find a doctor who will perform the procedure, but that’s up to you, as is paying for it – it is elective surgery, after all.

Colin

]]> Comment on Should Australia reintroduce routine infant circumcision to reduce HIV rates? by john glazebrook http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=562&cpage=1#comment-911 john glazebrook Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:53:35 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=562#comment-911 Cthornby makes gross assumptions about peoples's sexual behaviour which favor his or her argument I did not comment this area Mate, you either carry the bug AND transmit it or you don't !!! Its not all that complicated Unfortunately, and sadly, it is the women in our society who are now suffering because of the uninformed and misguided policies of the majority of the medical profession with respect to circumcision in Australia over the past 20 to 30 years The parents' right to decide what is best for their child has been taken away from them and WE WANT IT BACK !!! More than 400 scientific papers on the preventative health benefits of circumcision have been published over the last 10 years Is that not sufficient ? The bad news for the anti circs is that the science is not going to go away and will keep on coming ! No amount of highly subjective and emotional argument will be able to counter the scientific facts I refer you to the The Communicable Disease Centre's publication in Feb 2008 on Male Circumcision Cthornby makes gross assumptions about peoples’s sexual behaviour which favor his or her argument I did not comment this area

Mate, you either carry the bug AND transmit it or you don’t !!!
Its not all that complicated

Unfortunately, and sadly, it is the women in our society who are now suffering because of the uninformed and misguided policies of the majority of the medical profession with respect to circumcision in Australia over the past 20 to 30 years

The parents’ right to decide what is best for their child has been taken away from them and WE WANT IT BACK !!!

More than 400 scientific papers on the preventative health benefits
of circumcision have been published over the last 10 years
Is that not sufficient ?

The bad news for the anti circs is that the science is not going to
go away and will keep on coming ! No amount of highly subjective and emotional argument will be able to counter the scientific facts I refer you to the The Communicable Disease Centre’s publication in Feb 2008 on Male Circumcision

]]> Comment on Doctors back call for circumcision ban by Johnny http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=207&cpage=1#comment-610 Johnny Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:05:47 +0000 http://cthornby.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/doctors-back-call-for-circumcision-ban/#comment-610 Mutilation? WOW! Seriously? It is NOT mutilation. The penis works perfect when it is circumcised. It IS cleaner, no matter what anyone says. Imagine all the bacteria growing in your childrens foreskin, because they cannot retract it for 8 or 10 years, sometimes even longer! I can't have my children go through that. I have two sons and a daughter, their mum and I decided it would be best for them. They are perfect children, complete. Foreskin SERVES NO PURPOSE! I got circed at 19 because I had many complications with my foreskin! Doctors in Australia did not want to do anything (This was like 5 years ago, until I went to Sydney and got care of it! Seems like larger wester cities still perform routine circumcision, and especially in the suburbs where most upper-middle class families live and know the advantages. I would not let my children suffer because some Tasmanian backward men think differently. We are now seeing the effects of that generation that does not circumcise...circumcision is therefore necessary later in life, infections and phimosis are the trend now, and STI rates are higher than ever! HIV/AIDS is growing thanks to this generation and what can we do about it? Circumcision is a natural and safe practice! I lost no sensitivity, do not go with those FOLK MYTHS! Trust WHO (World Health Organization) and UNAIDS, they highly recommend circumcision..and not some nuts from Tasmania! Mutilation? WOW! Seriously? It is NOT mutilation. The penis works perfect when it is circumcised. It IS cleaner, no matter what anyone says. Imagine all the bacteria growing in your childrens foreskin, because they cannot retract it for 8 or 10 years, sometimes even longer! I can’t have my children go through that. I have two sons and a daughter, their mum and I decided it would be best for them. They are perfect children, complete. Foreskin SERVES NO PURPOSE! I got circed at 19 because I had many complications with my foreskin! Doctors in Australia did not want to do anything (This was like 5 years ago, until I went to Sydney and got care of it! Seems like larger wester cities still perform routine circumcision, and especially in the suburbs where most upper-middle class families live and know the advantages. I would not let my children suffer because some Tasmanian backward men think differently. We are now seeing the effects of that generation that does not
circumcise…circumcision is therefore necessary later in life, infections and phimosis are the trend now, and STI rates are higher than ever! HIV/AIDS is growing thanks to this generation and what can we do about it? Circumcision is a natural and safe practice! I lost no sensitivity, do not go with those FOLK MYTHS! Trust WHO (World Health Organization) and UNAIDS, they highly recommend circumcision..and not some nuts from Tasmania!

]]> Comment on Religion and politics by Brian Ralph http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=778&cpage=1#comment-437 Brian Ralph Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:07:29 +0000 http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=778#comment-437 Mr Rudd attends our church whenever he is in Sydney for the weekend but then the other choices don't amount to much. I have never taken a survey but would think our parishioners would be evenly divided. Mr Rudd attends our church whenever he is in Sydney for the weekend but then the other choices don’t amount to much. I have never taken a survey but would think our parishioners would be evenly divided.

]]> Comment on Life of gay people in the church by cthornby http://blog.thepastoralcompany.com/?p=254&cpage=1#comment-434 cthornby Fri, 29 May 2009 23:20:26 +0000 http://cthornby.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/life-of-gay-people-in-the-church/#comment-434 Hi Adem Thanks for your comment. It is a hard issue. We generally internalise a lot of what others think of us, and it sounds to me like your friend may have. Ultimately, it will come down to him being convinced - in his heart rather than his mind - that God loves him for who he is, whether he loves men or not. I believe that God works like that, and that God creates us into who he wants us to be. In my understanding, then, God created me (and you) as gay men, and we reach our fulfilment when we have loving and faithful relationships with other men. There is some information on the Romans 1:26-27 passage over at the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5y9czb" rel="nofollow">Metropolitan Community Church website</a>. Your friend may like to try attending worship at an MCC church - there could be one close to you (I think you're in the UK, based on your email address). The<a href="http://www.lgcm.org.uk/" rel="nofollow"> Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement</a> may also be of help. I'll keep both you and your friend in my prayers. Cheers, Col Hi Adem

Thanks for your comment. It is a hard issue. We generally internalise a lot of what others think of us, and it sounds to me like your friend may have. Ultimately, it will come down to him being convinced – in his heart rather than his mind – that God loves him for who he is, whether he loves men or not. I believe that God works like that, and that God creates us into who he wants us to be. In my understanding, then, God created me (and you) as gay men, and we reach our fulfilment when we have loving and faithful relationships with other men.

There is some information on the Romans 1:26-27 passage over at the Metropolitan Community Church website. Your friend may like to try attending worship at an MCC church – there could be one close to you (I think you’re in the UK, based on your email address). The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement may also be of help.

I’ll keep both you and your friend in my prayers.

Cheers,

Col

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