Chased by an Elephant

 (13th A of F, 2nd post)

Sorry, I was hoping to keep these posts light hearted and fun but this one just wouldn't cooperate. It's a "heavy" subject. I promise the next one will be more fun.

 

(photo found at:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinkpicturegalleries/9737226/Elephant-dung-coffee-Black-Ivory-beans-passed-through-the-animals-guts.html)

Article of faith 13 begins "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent . . ." or "chased by and elephant" as my friend back in grade school always said it. I often chuckle inside as I read or hear this verse, because those words come to mind.

But what does it really mean?
These words, chaste, and benevolent are so old fashioned and seldom used now that I'd be willing to bet that some people don't even know the meaning of the words, let alone the concepts.

For chaste, Merriam Webster has four definitions, one with two parts:
1:  innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse
2:  celibate <Monks lead a chaste life.>
3:  pure in thought and act :  modest <was sincerely trying to be chaste>
4  a :  severely simple in design or execution :  austere <chaste classicism> <the pure, chaste lines of   ancient Greek buildings>
b :  clean, spotless

Definitely not something you hear promoted these days, is it?
Chastity has become so politically incorrect that it has become an elephant in the room that's chasing us.

Photo credit goes to : https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://trustworks.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/elephant-in-the-room.jpg&imgrefurl=https://leadingwithtrust.com/2012/10/14/heart-to-heart-talks-three-steps-to-discuss-the-elephant-in-the-room/&h=457&w=600&tbnid=oviqaKyDYtnHyM:&vet=1&tbnh=152&tbnw=200&docid=hflgi13InqcnHM&itg=1&usg=__3Yj651UdcsGiFeCwSxEuYHHqG2s=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_9Kfr--XRAhWiqVQKHYHTBrcQ_B0IgQEwDw&ei=wiWNWL-LGqLT0gKBp5u4Cw


In fact, the very idea of being chaste seems to offend some of those who proclaim to be progressive thinkers, as if refraining from free sex or immodest behavior makes a person frigid, intolerant, illiberal, or unenlightened. Why, how dare anyone imply that chastity would be a logical choice over abortion? How can you be so frigid and judgmental as to say a woman is more beautiful covered in modest clothing than parading nude on national television? How backward to think that we should teach our children abstinence rather than giving them free contraceptives.

It makes me sad. Is sex the sum of our existence? Is it so important for us to satisfy our bodily desires of the moment. that we throw away all other considerations? This is not freedom from repression; this is a form of slavery. This is the type of thinking that turns women into objects to be used and men into mindless addicts.

This truly is a massive elephant thundering down on an unsuspecting society.

As for benevolent?
1 a :  marked by or disposed to doing good <a benevolent donor>
b :  organized for the purpose of doing good <a benevolent society>
2 :  marked by or suggestive of goodwill <benevolent smiles>

Well, let's just say I'm attempting, by writing this post, to promote a more benevolent society. Please take my comments as I mean them, not to judge, but only to discuss my opinions on the matter. I'm trying to live by the 13th article of faith and practice benevolence, not to stand above anyone, just to point out how confused I am by the attitudes of the day.