Urban Monasticism

In this era, we consider a monastic one who lives in a monastery among similar folk. Yet, a monastic is simply one who life a secluded, dedicated, and austere. It is that case that early monastics decided that they would live in "shared" communities. These provided "strength" in numbers and a level of protection that solitary life did not. Consider,

[Heb 11:37-40 KJV] 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

[Heb 12:1-3 KJV] 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

The "austere" life is rare in the modern developed world of which this author is part. We live in a Romanesque world of decadence. It so prevalent and common, the youth are reared seeing its sinfulness as appropriate.

During regular visits with a former physician at a local medical clinic, One World, one of the nurses would often say, "Just, tell him how you are, Sam." Dr. Belk often showed signs of a gross disdain for the writer of this web history who comfortably and openly expresses his faith and encourages others in their life's spiritual walk. Dr. Belk then stated [pediatricians in this generation recommend that most children as young as eight have regular test for sexually transmitted diseases during annual physicals. He said that sexually activity is rather common among young adolescents and preteens.] And, it became apparent that he had likely lived the life of a typical teenager and could not tolerable this author's lifestyle or upbringing.

Yet, a "self-disciplined" community is necessarily the composition of "temperate" subunits: churches, families, and individuals. Whether this temperance is manifested through financial frugality, "intent" listening coupled with "well-measured" speech, an absence of coarse joking, disciplined dietary habits, or piety, it is an essential part of a healthy community.

The toll of lasciviousness, sinful intoxication, drunkenness, and debauchery are so high in this American community that it is immeasurable. Many do not realize that the tangible ailments that plague us are a direct function of our sinfulness.

Textbook social work philosophy states that [saving one from the natural consequences of his own actions is the most cruel and uncaring thing that one might do],

Scripture states it this way,

[Rev 3:19-20 KJV] 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

[Heb 12:5-9 KJV] 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 

Yet, we repent not.

The word repent as described in older college dictionaries is derived from the French military term "repentir". When such a command was given, the troops would make a 180-degree turn.

When will this community turn from its sin and the persecution of those who do? Likely, never. This nation probably will fall like all of those before it, collapsing under the weight of it avarice, hatred, haughtiness, and vileness, and Sodom and Gomorrah did.

Acts of buggery, sodomy, and beastiality are unnaturally common in this American community. And, such are simply deemed an individual's lifestyle choice albeit local, state, and federal laws prohibit such. But, of this, few American speak openly. So, for an urban monastic, staying sin-free is quite difficult. Sin is a disease. And, such is contagious. One cannot insulate himself from contacting such sin in this modern era. It would seem that in a "healthy" community acts of homosexuality would be practically non-existent as they are in Theocratic countries like Iran where Old Testament Law is truly valued. Reading in the social sciences have shown that one in four American men have had a consensual sexual relationship with another man. And, the rates for homosexual behavior is higher in American women.

As Christ said during His Sermon on the Mount,

[Mat 5:17-20 KJV] 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Modern Christian countries could definitely learn something from the "discipline" imposed in the Islamic world. 

The rampant spread of sexual dysfunction mostly is the result of barbaric child rearing.

[1Co 2:12-16 KJV] 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Plus, it arises from a lackadaisical spiritual walk, Modern men simply spend very little time in contemplation and devotion.

[Rom 1:18-32 KJV] 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Sadly, a modern monastic does not see the same protection under the law as the GQBLT community. In this modern-era, it is said that what one does with one's own body is one's own business.

Yet, this modern monastic is suffering from a horrible behavioral dysfunction from which he had recovered for more than a decade after being placed in a hospital setting. His "condition" was discovered after he experienced a "nightly emission" in that setting. Interestingly enough, one of the staff members documented that he must have "sexual" problem. Such an experience is deemed "unhealthy" for an adult male by modern medical professionals. If fact, a physical was forced upon him and he was checked for a "hernia". Interestingly enough, the physician did not palpitate his stomach. This has always puzzled him. If a "hernia" is a tear in the abdominal muscles, why would a physician feel a man's scrotum when checking for such a malady, often called a "groin pull". At the age of ten, when the young author questioned his pediatrician about this, he received a strange glance. And, he was told that he had dry skin on his glandus and he should take a handful of lotion and apply it everyday. Is such pediatric care or child molestation?

Based upon the analysis of Dr. Belk and his "normal" childhood development, the author was "slow". Ironically, he was quite "quick" with the books and merited a Stanford acceptance letter plus other academic accolades within this lifetime.

Yet, after this discovery of supposed "dysfunction", he was subsequently given medications which he later learnt where Viagra and Cialis. After his phallus which had been rather peacefully flacid for the bulk of a decade became uncommonly large and hardened, the nurse staff would walk by and ask, "Are you comfortable?"

Was this "sincere" medical help? A medical bills was sent and covered by sources of insurance.

And, much like the Pharisees of old, many of theses doctors and physicians who felt such was appropriate behavior, attend local churches. In fact, some of this "special" treatment occurred in a hospital called Immanuel. Which might be more aptly named Baal's Village.

Life for the urban monastic is not easy.

And, a just and Godly lifestyle is not deemed appropriate. In a country with a long history of racial segregation and hatred, certain men must allows live "well-below" others. For some Americans, feelings of "inferiority" in behavior is acceptable when the one with "superior" behavior is in his group. Then, he can say, "We can live by a high standard." And, he can see the other person as a role model. When the one with "superior" behavior is a member of a despised racial or ethnic group, it is a different story. Why? Nothing is considered lower than than a "non-human" nigger or other hated personage.

As an African descendant in the Americas, many have asked this author if he gambles, imbibes, or uses other intoxicants. One European actually was audacious enough that he proclaimed, "I have never met a nigger that did not smoke marijuana" when he asked if the author could supply him with some. This author simply ignored him and departed. He felt like saying, "Who said I was a nigger?"