Categories: uncategorized
Date: 17 February 2005 23:28:41
There is indeed a movie about a guy fasting from sex, "40 Days and 40 nights". Having split with his girlfriend, Matt tries to fill the void in his life with casual sex. Six months later, the meaninglessness of it all is catching up with him. After confession with his Catholic priest brother, he decides he needs to fast from sex for lent.
There's some great reviews at Hollywood Jesus. These guys have some thoughtful comments to make about the human experience and God stuff they see in the movie, while acknowledging that many of the scenes are far from reality.
Jon Zuck had this to say there:
This willingness to treat the spiritual and sexual sides of life is the most original aspect of 40 Days. We are all simultaneously spiritual and sexual beings, and many of us live in some degree of tension between the two. Young people (like Matt) are increasingly choosing to consider their bodies' urges before moral teachings, and often (like Matt), experience needless suffering because of it.
The movie portrays poor Matt as tormented 24 hours a day by his lack of sexual activity. I don't expect it to be like that in real life. I think it may get easier as the addiction is broken. At least, that has been my experience in fasting from various foods.
I have no idea what it means to be a celibate sexual being. How does one express their sexuality, or not deny their sexuality, when there's no partner in sight? How does the whole thing fit with God?