[supercat]

If one accepts that the natural, normal function of sexual activity is between two members of the opposite sex and the ultimate, natural, normal purpose of sex activity is procreation, then sexual activity which intentionally violates these tenants is, by definition, abnormal and therefore, dysfunctional.

If one accepts that the natural, normal function of the mouth is the ingestion of material sufficient to supply adequate nutrition and hydration, then uses of the mouth for other purposes such as kissing other people or consuming candy are, by definition, abnormal and therefore disfunctional.

[Lucky Dog]

If one accepts that the natural, normal function of the mouth is the ingestion of material sufficient to supply adequate nutrition and hydration, then uses of the mouth for other purposes such as kissing other people or consuming candy are, by definition, abnormal and therefore disfunctional.

You have, of course, ignored that fact that the mouth has multiple natural purposes beyond the intake of nutrition. Among these remaining natural functions are the mouth’s function as an alternate air intake and a communication device. Kissing is a form of communication just as is speech. Eating candy is a form of nutrition intake, the adequacy of which is dependent upon the body’s state of health and caloric needs. All of these activities are natural uses of the mouth. Therefore, your analogy fails logically.

If you intended point was that human genitalia naturally have multiple purposes, you could have just so stated. It is true that human genitalia also naturally serve as organs of liquid body waste elimination as another natural function beyond procreation. In contrast, the anal orifice of the human body serves but one natural purpose, solid body waste elimination. Therefore, use of this portion of the body for any other purpose could not logically be considered a natural function.

Has this clarified the issue for you?

[mikeyc]

"If one accepts that the natural, normal function of the mouth is the ingestion of material sufficient to supply adequate nutrition and hydration, then uses of the mouth for other purposes such as kissing other people or consuming candy are, by definition, abnormal and therefore disfunctional."

I think that this is one of my main stumbling blocks here.
This discussion assumes that sexual activity os solely for the purpose of reproduction, and that recreation or any mental or emotional stimulus or satisfaction is not a reason or purpose for it.

If you accept that procreation is the sole purpose of sexual activity, then Lucky Dog's case is very strong and convincing. However, I'm not convinced that this is it's sole purpose.


My other point of question is as follows:

When a smoker manages to give up smoking, the alternative is to not smoke, which is the natural condition.

For a human being to totally give up sexual activity (masturbation, sexual excitement) isn't comparable, as the human natural function is to be sexually active in some way. The sexual expression is also connected to mental health, and is a basic human function.

The alternative that I feel you would propose would be to redirect it to normal sexual activity, directed towards the opposite sex.
Taking into account that it is possible that the error of same-sex attraction might, in many homosexuals, be a fixed condition in the brain that mental treatment cannot correct, the correction may only be able to go as far as containing the effects of the condition as opposes to curing it... in these cases.

This is an interesting discussion, but my own focus is really on how it impacts upon society, and how that can be contained and 'made safe' as far as possible.