He did....and He doesn't care (I cant say for a certainty); he just wants you to do what's right. He (and of this, I am pretty confident) also wants you to stop beatin' this issue up, and continue with your recovery process, and that is by simply focusin' on what you need to do right now.

b'hatzlachah

Lavi,
I see I couldn't get the quote thing right. Although I would not call testimony from geirim and baalet teshuva a statistical survey, the point is well taken. This reminds me of a story I heard about Rabbi Uri Zohar. I can not vouch for its authenticity but the message is clear. A reporter once commented to him that he must believe that he is on a higher spiritual level than all those chareidim studying in Yeshiva who have never seen a girl in their lives. After all, he's been around the block and was still able to come back to Yiddishkeit. He responded that it's just the opposite. I have experienced that world and seen that it is all worthless and a waste of time. So it's easy for me to be frum. Those chareidim that have never seen a girl in their lives have not had that experience. They are frum from emunah in Hashem alone. (The Gemaras in Berachot 34B and Sanhedrin 99A state though in the name of Rav Abahu that "in the place where Masters of Repentance ("Ba'alei Teshuva") stand, even complete and utter Tzaddikim do not stand" so I am not judging anyone either way. In fact, I hope in G-d's eyes I am a Baal Teshuva)

thanks guys. (gyes)
i agree with everything that was said here(well nearly).
and it is true that the experts recommend, that when you hear a question, it is good to hear what was behind the question and address the person not davka the question, and it seem that a lot of my esteemed friends used that technique here.
however it this thread i choose to address, the actual question, because it is a mitzvah to be proud of our hertitage and to recognise it;s benefits and this is a fact. frum people has less of a chance of becoming addicts. there is no real benefit by acting "free" in regards to "clearing the urge and getting on in life.fact. jealousy of goyim is just a passing fantasy.fact.
the proof is in the pudding. Hashem's instructions are the healthiest and the happiest.
and my dear friend p'daini, i will do you a favor and ignore what you wrote in small print.

lavi wrote:


Thanks

All,
After reading everyone's posts here I have come to the following conclusion (correct me if I'm wrong):
Addiction is destructive. Religion, Race, Gender, Socioeconomic class etc. does not matter. It can happen to anyone. To ponder whether one group has it easier than the other is not only irrelevant, it is unproductive. The only thing that is productive is recognition that I have a problem and taking the necessary steps in recovery. Instead of focusing on what I think I'm missing out on, I have to focus on what I'm achieving.
Sometimes I like to bring it down to something I relate to. I like to diet and exercise regularly. It helps me relax and I feel good knowing that I'm doing something good for my body. It may be hard at times, but I'm not jealous of people that do nothing and eat unhealthy food. Even though that may be easier and they are more "free," I think they are doing themselves a disservice. So what's the difference taking care of my physical body versus my spiritual soul? I should treat my neshama at least with the same mindset and care as I do for my body.

BULLSEYE!!!!

Just one note, I started this journey supposedly "for my neshama", I soon found out that this is just as much a service for me!! It is me who feels happy, it is me who feels content, who feels liberated in life!!

and FTK3 wrote:


I think that's ALWAYS good, and it's usually much more effective that way!!

KUTGW!! KOMT!!!

ftk3
bull2eyes!!!
keep on posting and remember you have friends here.
but in case one day, if by any chance, you so happen to wonder, id non jews have an easier time, i'm happy that you know the answer