Slog
News & ArtsThursday, February 5, 2009
Religion / Fashion The Internet Is a Race...
Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 10:05 AM
...and I lost. Again. Early yesterday morning a Slog tipper sent me a link to a new Christian organization that's pretty much anti-everything. The Passion 4 Christ Movement is proudly anti-gay (naturally), anti-fornicators (straight ones too!), anti-players (they tend to fornicate a lot), anti-divas (who do you think players be fornicating with?)—P4CM is even proudly anti-masturbators. And they're selling the t-shirts to prove it:
Yeah we said it….Nobody talks about it, but most people have done it or are still doing it. It's seems to be a rite of passage for both girls and guys into the world of sex. Some say masturbation is not a sin, some say that it is. But is it really okay in the eyes of God?
Careful—I think that might be a trick question. I mean, they already made the t-shirts, right? In addition to the "EX-Masturbator" t-shirt—and I just gotta have one—P4CM is selling a whole line of "EX" t-shirts, including "EX-Rebel," EX-Hustler," "EX-Hustler," and my personal favorite "EX-Atheist." I'm going to order one t-shirt for every day of the week.
Anyway, someone sent me the link yesterday and I thought, cool, but I'll post that tomorrow because I'm on an airplane and the doors are closing. But by the time I got up today P4CM's t-shirts were everywhere—Gawker, Towleroad, Dlisted, etc. And now here they are on Slog. There's no need to point out in comments that you've already seen these t-shirts on other blogs. I know. The Internet is a race and you won and I lost. Darn it!
10
I don't see anything wrong with ex-masturbation as long as both you and your ex are emotionally healthy.
11
Man, we get it, fundies. Sex is dirty and evil and will make you like a used car or a licked Snickers. Got it. Do you have anything else to say that is potentially more relevant to the world we live in today? Perhaps about social justice, or helping those in need? No?
16
You are always so facetious about the Internet race, although you are a marathon runner in it. It's really passe and trite.
18
My friend and I used to needle each other with "You cocksucker!", to which the response was always "Hey, I quit last week!"
Now I realize we missed a great money-making idea about, uh, thirty years ago...
Now I realize we missed a great money-making idea about, uh, thirty years ago...
19
Castrate yourself for Jesus. Let us open our Bibles"
Matthew 19:12
12For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
"Ex-testicled" t-shirts anyone?
Matthew 19:12
12For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
"Ex-testicled" t-shirts anyone?
20
if you read one of the personal testimonies, it is actually a little heart-breaking.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea…
in fact, this girl will have even more pressure on her if she "falls" again, that she might go closet via the Ted Haggard approach.
it is very tough and i have great sympathy for these people. i know it's easy to laugh at them, and they really do bring it upon themselves. i'm just at a loss as to what the appropriate response should be. mocking them just pushes them more toward their "support" group. sorry to be a bummer.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea…
in fact, this girl will have even more pressure on her if she "falls" again, that she might go closet via the Ted Haggard approach.
it is very tough and i have great sympathy for these people. i know it's easy to laugh at them, and they really do bring it upon themselves. i'm just at a loss as to what the appropriate response should be. mocking them just pushes them more toward their "support" group. sorry to be a bummer.
22
When I saw the picture before reading I assumed it was a couple bragging about how they have sex together now that they're a couple, and don't masturbate anymore. Probably wasn't the impressionthey were going for.
25
And they're SMILING about it?
The lifestyle these people are promoting is unhealthy and unnatural. If human beings were intended to be celibate and "masturbation free" until marriage, then we would not reach sexual maturity until much later in life than we do now.
Sex is a part of life. And it isn't just for procreation. Since these people are probably creationists on top of everything else, then let's just tell them that God "designed" it that way!
Sexual repression leads to sexual fixation. The psychological harm that these people are promoting is absurd.
The lifestyle these people are promoting is unhealthy and unnatural. If human beings were intended to be celibate and "masturbation free" until marriage, then we would not reach sexual maturity until much later in life than we do now.
Sex is a part of life. And it isn't just for procreation. Since these people are probably creationists on top of everything else, then let's just tell them that God "designed" it that way!
Sexual repression leads to sexual fixation. The psychological harm that these people are promoting is absurd.
27
@20: Jeez... that is a downer. She honestly thinks she's a freak of nature cuz she enjoyed doing a very natural thing. I really feel bad for these folks, although the shirts are hilarious. I want one.
31
Can I get an Ex-Fundie shirt? How about Ex-Republican?
The Ex-Masturbator shirts should have a subtext:
"Future Nocturnal Emissionary".
The Ex-Masturbator shirts should have a subtext:
"Future Nocturnal Emissionary".
32
More like "Future Prostate Cancer Victim" - regular sex and/or masturbation seems to lessen the risk of prostate cancer considerably. And at least half the women I know who've had breast cancer, it was their partners who first noticed a lump.
33
Remember: when a woman masturbates, she's engaged in empowering self-discovery, but when a man masturbates, he's a pathetic loser who can't get laid.
34
The best part is if you look at the shirts they are selling they have mens and womens sizes for all the shirts... except for the "ex-homosexual"shirts which apparently only comes in one size because fairies wear chick shirts...
I want them all!!!
I want them all!!!
36
I see why it's sinful for a dude to masturbate -- every sperm being sacred and all -- but we chicks orgasm without killing potential life, so I don't see the problem here.
39
@36 the bible says lust is a sin, and from there it's not to difficult to suppose masturbation either involves lust, encourages lust, or is the result of lust.
but, "sex friendly" fundamentalist churches will usually give masturbation the okay as long as there is no lusting involved! this website even acknowledges that there is some dispute regarding that issue. and it's one of the reasons they proclaim they are sex friendly.
but, "sex friendly" fundamentalist churches will usually give masturbation the okay as long as there is no lusting involved! this website even acknowledges that there is some dispute regarding that issue. and it's one of the reasons they proclaim they are sex friendly.
41
@26 "Printed on high quality American Apparel brand shirts. American Apparel garments have a slimmer cut. You may want to order a size up if you want a more looser fit. "
On their site, if you try to buy one (ex-atheist, etc.)
On their site, if you try to buy one (ex-atheist, etc.)
42
It brings to mind ex-smokers and the numerous attempts required to kick their habits.
It could be useful. It could be worn with pride by anyone who's not actively engaged in self-gratification, certainly, but it could also let people know where I am at in my abstinence struggle.
For example, I could hang my shirt off the doorknob outside the bathroom while I have my relapse. By the time I have I come out and put my shirt back on I'll be an ex-masturbator again.
"Hey Mom, don't go in there. Johnny's struggling again."
It could be useful. It could be worn with pride by anyone who's not actively engaged in self-gratification, certainly, but it could also let people know where I am at in my abstinence struggle.
For example, I could hang my shirt off the doorknob outside the bathroom while I have my relapse. By the time I have I come out and put my shirt back on I'll be an ex-masturbator again.
"Hey Mom, don't go in there. Johnny's struggling again."
47
The only reason people feel guilty about masturbating is because people like these sorts say that it's wrong.
Now, can we get a towel with "Ex-masturbator" on it?
Now, can we get a towel with "Ex-masturbator" on it?
49
Okay, seriously, anyone have a sharpie or something to just add a 'S' in front of the 'EX'??? lol Brings on a whole new meaning!!! :)
50
I would totally buy one of those shirts and wear them, but only if others wear them, too.
Would some of you braver souls get the ball rolling so that meek people like myself can have fun with irony?
(The irony? I actually practice masturbation on a regular basis. Like, duh!)
Would some of you braver souls get the ball rolling so that meek people like myself can have fun with irony?
(The irony? I actually practice masturbation on a regular basis. Like, duh!)
51
I think I am going to beat off right now and purposely think about that girl in the photo. Hell, maybe I will think of both those two P4CM's. Yeah, their fucking in my mind right now.... oh man that's so hot...oh man..oh man. oh man.YEEEEEESSSSS.
52
If God had meant us to masturbate, he would have given us arms exactly the right length to reach our genitals.
54
@41 - That's fantastic - they're giving money to Dov Charney, king of the masturbators.
I *love* that there's one that says "Ex-hypocrite" - is that for when you lapse?
I *love* that there's one that says "Ex-hypocrite" - is that for when you lapse?
56
Jesus said many times throughout the Bible, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." It also says, "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you will be healed." The shirts are put out by a church in LA for members who desire to be real about the sins of their past. They are in love with God and are making an effort to show their love by following God's holy standard. They would like to share the message that God has set them free from the sins that used to keep them from feeling close to God. These sins used to make them feel guilty, dirty and unworthy of having a relationship with God, but that's all changed. They want people to know that they weren't perfect, but they are done acting like they are. They had sins they were hiding and lying about, but they aren't hiding them any more. They are tired of being hypocrites and they are getting real, regardless of the mocking it will draw. After coming out and admitting their sin they now feel free, clean, and unafraid to live wholeheartedly for God. You can mock them, but their message is actually one of courage. Much in the same way it takes courage for a homosexual to come out of the closet. I guess the difference would be that when the homosexual is mocked for their lifestyle it is considered intolarant, homophobic, and prejudice, but when Christian is mocked for the declaration of their lifestyle it is totally acceptable and fun. I am a very committed Christian and I will be very honest, I think the shirts really make Christians look bad as does the amount of hypocracy in the the Christian community. All I can say is that God changed my life. When I came to Jesus Christ He totally made all things new. I am not a slave to the things I used to do. I love the true message of the shirts because they are the first step understanding that we all fall short on our own effort. Thank you Jesus for paying for my sin and setting me free from the power of sin. Lord, pick me up when I fall. Thank you for loving me through it all. "But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." May you come to know the God that loves you and desires to have a relationship with you.
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