Accepted Beliefs are not the same as Logic

The reasoning power of humanity pisses me off. Because something is so, does not mean that it is right. Because something is happening everywhere does not mean that it should. Because lots of people have done something and survived without harm does not prove an activity is safe. My mom once pointed that out to me saying she had run out into the road without looking many times as a child and never once got hurt--yet few of us would encourage that behavior. And finally, and this one particularly irritates the crazy nerves in my brain, because something is "natural" does not make it good. Arsenic is natural, people.

I've had people tell me they refuse to take drugs, even over the counter drugs, in favor of "all-natural" homeopathic medicines. In other words, such a person would not take morphine (which is an opiate that comes from the poppy flower) but would take chamomile, st john's wort, or Valerian root (which comes from other flowers.) I can only assume that poppies are less "natural" than chamomile. People will defend their drugs of choice, explaining pot is natural whereas meth is a manufactured poison, and I agree I'd certainly wish people chose pot over meth, however, the terms poison and natural are not antonyms. Hemlock, belladonna, arsenic--yep all natural.

Now where this really gets me is in defending and defining human behavior. We need to learn that because a behavior is natural, it does not defend its social, moral or ethical righteousness. If you wish to defend or define a behavior as good or bad, beneficial or not, then please do so without using the word "natural." I'm seriously begging here.

The Example Conversation:
"My significant other has cheated on me and I'm devastated."
"Oh, well that's only natural that the significant other would want to sleep with other attractive people. Sex is a powerful, natural, human drive."
"I guess you are right. I feel so stupid for feeling devastated now."

I don't think many of us would argue that sex is a powerful, natural, human drive. And certainly given that, it is natural to have sexual attraction to people throughout your life whether or not you are currently in a relationship. However, few of us would vehemently argue that therefore adultery is an "all natural goodness" included for your benefit in your life diet. The urge behind adultery is indeed natural; however, that does not make it right. This is a point we've agreed on as a culture because we don't like it happening to us. We think its bad because its hurts like hell; it can be devastating. This is also true of the natural urges to punch some one's face through the back of the skull, the urge to steal the pretty sweater we cannot afford, and certainly we agree that the urge to kill or rape (although some argue that those are not a natural urge) are also bad.

Where I'm personally stuck, and although I seem to be in the minority, I'm not alone, is that I have a similar problem with a natural human behavioral drive, but unlike something like adultery or theft, most of the modern western world thinks it's ok. But not one single person has ever given me a reason other than "its natural--everybody agrees--so just get over it."

I never talk about it with other people anymore. Everyone looks at me with surprise, then they say, as if I'm stupidly unaware, "It's natural." I'm not disagreeing with that point, I'm just saying I don't think that one point can justify the argument as a whole. And for me, this issue can be devastating.

And no, I'm not gonna say what it is. You may know me and already know, or you might be able to guess, but let me assure you I will dodge any conversation you try and have with me about it. Why? Because it does not help my feelings of devastation to be made fun of for this.

I wish people would understand THAT point. Even if you truly believe it is natural, and therefore beneficial, and that I'm irrationally crazy for feeling as I do (which considering my being in the minority on the issue I'm honestly willing to concede) it does not change the fact I truly feel this way. Calling me stupid will not change my mind any more than the tactic I most often see wherein you merely repeat at me:
"It's natural, you know."

Sigh. "Yeah, so's arsenic."