[RLK]

It strikes me that the notion that sex is moral only if used for reproduction accomplishes the same thing that libertinism does: it tends to devalue and perhaps, consider ultimately as sinful, the bonding and increased intimacy that sex elicits. In both cases sex and love are disconnected, and love becomes a problem.

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Now, we are getting toward one of my areas of concern and ane of the areas that produces alienation from conservative/religious types. Sex emphasized primarily as a reproductive process imposes a stern sterile and somewhat drab utilitarian air about the area that is off-putting to the argument. In this sense, as you have pointed out, the separation between sex and a type of bonding and intimacy becomes common to an axis within conservatism/religion and emotionally sterile libertarianism/liberalism. As has been pointed out to me elsewhere, many people on the political cultural right have problems relating to closeness and intimacy --as do many on the political cultural left. This has tainted, I think with some justification, the image of the political/cultural right. It's a killer when talking about responsible sexuality.

[JMJ333]

You have answered others, but I am still waiting for your explanation in regard to irrelevance and alienation. Thanks.