Clash of the Titans

God is great.    Sex is great.

Both sayings may be true—even profound—but when spoken, they carry unequal degrees of fervor, as well as in meaning of the word “great.”

In Arabic alone, possibly a billion human beings utter the first saying at least once a day, if not five or more. Including all languages, the number may be much greater than that. God knows how many utter the second, or at least think it to themselves.

Interesting, is it not, that almost everyone in the world above the age of puberty agrees on the second, while great arguments ensue constantly over first? I would venture to say that this is because, owing to direct experience versus allegiance to a belief, those who utter the second have a clear understanding of what they’re referring to, unlike those who utter the first. 

As far as I know, no one has ever exclaimed the second as a rallying cry in support of belligerent activity, or in triumphant celebration of a public execution by hanging, stoning or beheading. No one uses the second in connection with attitudes of hatred, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia or xenophobia. 

How very odd, that so much guilt and shame surrounds the very natural activity that we all generally agree is great and worth pursuing—indeed is crucial to the survival of our species—while there is so much reverence and praise associated with something people know virtually nothing about, yet are willing to kill and die for.

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