Quote Originally Posted by denuseri View Post

The purpose of this thread is to initiate a discussion on Gorean philosophies as well as educate the Gor curious as to what it is that we who identify with Gor are all about. I can assure you it's not all about playing Conan the Barbarian on second life lol.
denuseri stated the purpose clearly in her initial posting.

As far as the mentioning of some dangers involved with the lifestyle and that it has no place in discussion here...i've to say this...it is part of educating the Gor curious. Just as if speaking with a friend who is curious about the BDSM lifestyle...one would not only speak of the good but of the danger involved as well, in order to educate and provide as much information as needed to give the friend a chance at staying safe and finding a safe, sane and consentual relationship, be it based on Gorean Philosophy or not. i would not send my sister into the lifestyle without making sure she hears some of the pitfalls to avoid.

For those who have been lifestyle a long while and have gotten their feet wet, so to speak, the warnings can be an irritation as they are spouted left right and center each way we turn. But... to those that may not have stepped in the puddle yet...warnings may prevent another abuse from happening that would further the misconception that those who follow Gorean philosophy are all crazies.

i was under the impression that this thread is for discussion about Gorean Philosophy from those who have lived it, are curious about it or are living it currently. While Master Kuskovian and His denuseri began this thread with their own insights, it doesn't say in the initial post that this thread is limited to their specific practice of it.

No two practice BDSM exactly the same way just as no two practice Gorean philosophy exactly the same way. While i personally may choose a balance of my own, i would not be so arrogant as to say anothers balance is wrong. Who knows? In time, i may change my own balance to incorporate some of their practices that i once was foolish enough to condemn.

Gorean Interpretations are widespread. There is no narrow window that makes one practice right while another is wrong. Right for some, not right for others, doesn't make either incorrect.

Ragoczy speaks of there not being literal slaves today from the view point of a Dominant who is true. i understand this and if everyone in the lifestyle were true there would be no need for warnings.

In my own service as kajira, i submitted to total power exchange. i did not work outside of His home; i did not meet anyone He didn't approve of first; i was not permitted outside the residence without Him in attendance. The reference that slaves today may call 911 or leave of their own volition is a valid point, if one can manage to get to a phone. (a little difficult if under extreme discipline when the phone is disengaged and one is tied extended periods of time and under watch the rest of the time). There are always lapses occassionally and that is how i left of my own free will. To say that slaves today are not literal shows a bit of naivete. Some situations, yes it is true. Other situations, other lifestyle choices do create literal slaves in every sense of the word. Can a slave choose to leave? Absolutely, just as in history slaves ran away when they got the chance, just as in the books, some slaves escaped. Is it always a matter of saying "Thanks, this was fun but i'm leaving now" and walk out the door... in a perfect world, yes it would be. Todays "slave" does make a choice at the beginning to accept a position as slave. So in that sense, yes it is consentual and that makes it a fantasy to begin with and after a time in service the slavery can become quite real and literal. So this is where todays slavery is different. A first choice and then sometimes, no choice.

Gorean Philosophies of natural human behaviors are beautiful and have the ability to set one free. Gender roles were defined and simple. If we all could simple down and get back to basics we'd see more of this simplistic balance in our lives.

In todays world there is much confusion, Men and women both, never knowing what is acceptable, what will offend, what will be politically incorrect. The role of women today is hazy. We must function as Men were designed to hunt and gather and provide for our family while flipping our hats and also trying to nuture. i find this hard. After working all day aggressively, to then suddenly shut off the dominance and aggression and be loving and supportive is a task i never asked for.

i look at our world today, the "progress" we've made and i wonder how such good ideas went so terribly wrong. Our world is overpopulated and as such is damaging and killing our earth. Our populations are growing unhealthier by the minute because of "progress" that makes our lives easier. Our Men are growing lax due to the technologies that leave their strength obsolete. Our families are declining due to fact that we are losing the ability and desire to take responsibility for another other than ourselves. The ideas of being feminine and female and submissive to another are literally turning into a form of treason and God help those Men who stand up and offer the strength They've somehow managed to retain through it all, for They are then crucified for intimating that a woman might need or want help.

While the Gorean Life as portrayed in the novels may be undesireable to us as a whole; the philosophies contained in the books may lead the way for at least a few us to correct these imbalances within our own homes and hearts. i see nothing wrong with taking the ideals that might just work from anywhere i can get them.

Look at our world today and the philosophies we have adopted in our progress. They are unhealthy.