aaron4 wrote on 28 Dec 2009 19:26:
Back to the original topic...I just voted for #2. Although I understand feeling embarrassed, I've heard some shiurim lately that confirmed what I've suspected for a while and help to overcome this initial reaction.
The solution to this addiction, as has been said many times in many different ways here on GUE, is staying connected and relating properly to yourself, to others and to Hashem. This is the goal of the 12 steps and if you can do this by whatever method, you're on the right track. Disconnection from yourself, others and Hashem is fertile soil for the Y"H and leads to all sorts of addictions and negative behaviors, including addiction to lust. As the frum community becomes more open and honest and willing to acknowledge shortcomings and discuss ways to address them, it's clear that MANY people do not FEEL Yiddishkeit - ie to some extent, they are missing one or more of the essential connections for proper living. There are more and more articles on kids at risk, adults at risk and behaviors that are inconsistent with Torah values within the "frum" community. Although not all of these people are addicted to lust, they share the same lack that led us to addiction...and they need the same medicine. Viewed in this way, the universe of "fellow warriors" is unfortunately quite large. In my opinion, this is the challenge of our generation, not just of those on this forum. So if we're here tackling this, we're in the top echelon! We're working on EXACTLY what EVERYONE should be working on. Not only shouldn't we be embarrassed, we're leaders!
Hence my vote.
You hit the nail as squarely on the head as a nail could be hit on the head :D
I could not have written that any better, and that is why I made this poll; I want to see whether other people agree with this view. Apparently, many do not, and I think it's unfortunate because the loneliness which is exacerbated by the other view (that we are all pervs, most people are not like us, and we should be ashamed to share this with anyone) is fertile breeding ground for lust (and other self-destructive behaviors).