Quote Originally Posted by MacGuffin View Post
Saying it is "just a story" would be fair IF there was not a LIFESTYLE based around it.
I'm not sure I understand what lifestyle really means. If there was a commune somewhere with people living in Gorean community 24/7/365 then I could. I ask whether it can truly be considered a lifestyle if a person leaves home every day into the outside non-gorean world to work and behave the same as millions of non-gorean others until coming home to live some, not all, aspects of Gorean way of life in the comfort and privacy of the home.
Interestingly enough, many peoples lifestyles revolve around "just a story". Most notably any religion.

I'm not religious, nor of Gorean philosophy, but I get it...
If we read something that speaks to us, mind body and soul, why would we not want to adopt it's practices? Not to mention, we're not obligated to agree with or practice every custom listed- that's an even more amazing choice in adopting philosophies of literature.
I'm fairly suspect if I ever met Denuseri, I would not be expected to immediately kneel/bow before Kukovian. Both aware that Gor is not my life style. Assuming that's the case, it would lead me to believe there are philosophies in John Norman's novels that they do not adopt into main stream culture. Otherwise wouldn't every woman Kukovian ever met be kneeling/bowing at his feet?

For many of us, our life styles often are inspired by many books we've read, or experiences we've had... some just focus on a specific series because there's no need for them to look elsewhere.
Many people walk out into the world with different philosophies and customs than those around them- everything from religion, ethnicity, and sexual proclivities-if not, we'd be segregated even more so then we already are... and that's an extremely sad world, imho.

Bottom line- If it works for you without harming anyone else, then all the more power to you. I for one am always interested in at least learning about others philosophies, regardless of whether I agree with them.

This thread has been an interesting read for me because both views are expressed...Thank You!