Mike,

>>Look, one can have a real meaningful relationship with someone without bedding them.
>
>I have yet to disagree with you there :-) However, I think the only reason a couple should abstain is if at least one of them is simply not in the mood, or just doesn't like to have sex. That should be enough to not have sex. Confusing the issue with "proper behaivor" or "sin" is a mistake.

I'd disagree. First Israel, then the church has been portrayed as being 'wedded' to God and both have committed spiritual adultery. The marriage between a man and woman is a 'type' of the kind of relationship God desires with individuals. Rather than being distant, cold and far God wishes to be intimately involved in our lives. Remember, He is so interested in you and me he knows the number of hairs on our head. Marriage is more about committment than using someone else to satisfy my personal selfish needs. The whole idea of promoting marriage and fidelity in marriage is that it simply is the best option for man, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - or at least can be if both participants are devoted first to Gon, then their mate.

>
>Hmmmmm. We've (I've) beat this one to death. There's got to be something else controversial out there...

<g>

Yeah..

Want to start the 2nd ammendment fight again? <g>